History of Peoria Friendship M. B. Church?
In the year of our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Twenty, in the month of June, a small group of Christians under the leadership of Rev. Newman, gathered in a prayer meeting with the purpose of seeking the divine guidance for the founding of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.
The small group held its worship services for a short time at the present site of the Carver Lumber Company. Outgrowing the small quarters, these consecrated Christians realized the need was great for the building of a house of God for worship (in the vicinity of Richwoods) in the Heights area. With determined spirits they set out to reach their goal. In June 1920, at a cost of $600.oo the new structure was completed at 3812 New York Avenue.
The following mission members? organized friendship under the leadership of Rev. Newman: Bro. William Ballard, Sis. Ada Robinson, Bro. Ollie Blake, Sis. Ethel Guy, and Sis. Porter. Originally located at the corner of War Memorial and New York Avenue (currently Aldi?s). Rev. Griffeas? father donated a one-room structure with a potbelly stove, which served as the church.
After the membership grew to ten members, they built a block structure where Mr. Jones?s house once was located, which is currently the church parking lot. One of the founding members, Sis. Ada Robinson, organized the ?Singers of the City? to sing every Thanksgiving night; and to this date they still sing.
Following Rev. Newman, Rev. James Wilson was called to pastor at Friendship. Under his administration the membership grew to sixty-five and changed from oil lamps to electric lights, which was a commendable accomplishment. Rev. Wilson resided one block away from the present site.
The church in its eightieth three years of existence has had fourteen Pastors: Rev. Newman, Wilson, Aurty, Blake, Griffea, Biles, White, Miller, Neely, Nance, Lobdell, Sharp, and our late Pastor, Rev. Willie Williams, Sr., who served for the past thirty-nine years, and our current Pastor, Rev. Raymond E. Watson, Jr.
Under Rev. Sharp, a building fund was established. The Missionary Society purchased the lot where the present building now stands. The Missionary President at the time was Sis. Ada Robinson, who served for twenty-seven years.
Ground breaking ceremonies were held in July of 1950, with Rev. White as the pastor, turning the first spade of dirt along with Deacon J.T. Farris, Lutrell Puryear, Arnold Smiley, Deacon Carter, and Trustees Bro. W.T. Nash, Walter Johnson, Raleigh Puryear, and Charles McGhee.
Rev. White served the congregation for three and a half years. After his resignation, Rev. S.A. Miller was called. On Thanksgiving morning of 1957, the congregation under the leadership of Rev. Miller moved into the first units of the church where worship was held for three years. Church organizations at the time included Sunday school, Missionary Society, Usher Board and Youth Choir.
The following church superintendents are known to have served: Bro. J.T. Farris, Rev. Sparton, Sis. Lucille Hughes and Sis. Vethel Taylor. The officers at the time were Deacons Robert Barbee, Asberry McGhee, Arnold Smiley, and J.T. Farris, and Trustees W.T. Nash, T.R. Bonds, James Nash, Charles McGhee, Lovey Davis and Raleigh Puryear. It was this group of officers who thought it was wise to recommend the name of Rev. L.W. Nance for leadership.
During this time Friendship experienced it?s second fire, a stunning, but not fatal blow. By the Grace of God, Friendship re-built...?For the people had a mind to work.? With energetic deacons, trustees and a willing congregation to follow... The Friendship Family realized ?We Can Do All Things through Christ who strengthens us.?
In 1962 Rev. Willie Williams Sr. was called to lead Friendship Missionary Baptist Church along with his late wife Sis. Leora Williams and their five children: Yvonne, Harvey, Willie Ann, Willie Lee and Nathan.
Under Pastor, Rev. Williams, the following thirteen ministers have answered their call to preach: Rev. Harry Williams, William Taylor, Willie Williams Jr., Steve Humes, Larry Williams, Joseph Cherry, Eddie Bolden, Lorenzo Clare, O.J. Nickels, Howard Johnson, Adam Crews, Eddie Jackson and Jeffre? Williams.
As Rev. Williams served as Pastor...
In November of 1985, a very large crowd braved the cold weather during outdoor services at 3828 New York Avenue for a special dedication ceremony for the cornerstone and the new church additions. These additions included a 30x44 expansion added to the basement along with new classrooms, updated heating and air condition unit, a 10x44 addition to the sanctuary...a new pastor?s study, a first aid room, a handicap accessible bathroom, wheel chair ramp, and a new nursery.
Through much prayer and hard work, God called two of Friendship?s faithful sons to Pastor their own congregations; Rev Joseph Cherry (New Mt. Sinai M.B. Church) Peoria, IL., and Rev. Willie Williams, Jr. Pastor of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, Champaign, IL?.Rev Willie L. Williams Jr., Pilgrim M.B. Church Champaign, IL to lead other churches, respectively.
In 1998, our official charter name became: ?Peoria Friendship Missionary Baptist Church?
On May 19, 2001, the Lord saw that Pastor Williams? work here was done he had fought the good fight, he had kept the faith, thus a crown of life is laid up for him in heaven we shall all cherish his memories.
In November of 2002, Rev. Raymond E. Watson, Jr. was called to Friendship along with his wife Gailya M. Watson, and their three sons, Raymond III, Daniel Wesley, and Christopher Isaac. Since his call to Friendship the organization of a Joint Board Ministry was established, as well as the development of several new ministries including: the Nursery, Junior Church ministry, media ministry, church website, praise dancers, praise team, and Angel Tree Ministry. Rev. Watson also appointed the first woman treasurer, Sis. Juanita Cox. In the summer of 2004 the remodeling of the fellowship hall, kitchen and bathrooms and installation of new roof and gutters was completed. In November of 2004, Rev. Watson ordained Bro. Willie Newman, Jr., Bro. J.W. Randle and Bro Karl Taylor Sr. as deacons of Peoria Friendship M. B. Church.
In the summer of 2004 the remodeling of the fellowship hall, kitchen and bathrooms and installation of a new roof and gutters were completed. In 2005 the remodeling of the sactuary was completed, which included the pulpit and choir stand, along with the addition of stained glass windows, which were donated and prepared by members of the congregation. the basement classrooms were also completed, which included the nursery, the classroom and the newly established computer lab. the computer lab was developed with the donation of several new computers and software by Bro. Willie and Sis. Juanita Cox, which is used for Adult Continuing Education Computer classes. The parking lot was also repaved. The Scholarship Ministry & the Scholarship Bowling League was also started. The Mission ministrey has moved forward with the "Feed the Hungry Program" as well as re-opening the food pantry to serve the community.
The church is moving forward in the vision to establish the "Willie Williams, Sr. Youth Center".
On September 18, 2006 Rev. Raymond E. Watson, Jr. resigned as Pastor of the Peoria Friendship M.B. Church.
On November 18 2006 the sign for the "Rev. Willie Williams, Sr. Youth Center" was dedicated, as well as the dedication of the Leora Williams Fellowship Hall.
April, 2007 the "Breakfast Blessing Ministry and clothes give-a-way with serving breakfast to homeless.
April of 2007 the Search Committee for a pastor was elected. Deacon James Armstrong, Bro. Artie McFadden, Bro. Dramane Taylor, Bro. Phill Hopkins, Sis. Gloria Meacham, Sis. Gladys Tracey and Sis. Viola Lewis. As of this day we are still in search for a pastor.
2007 Sis. Barbara Gayles were elected as the first woman trustee.
On October 16, 2008, Dr. Claude Russell, Jr. was called to pastor Peoria Friendship M.B. Church along with his wife Sis. LaFaye Russell. Thank God
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