 (1949-1951)
When the organizational process, conducted by Rev. Thomas Moses Burts was completed, he was called as the Pastor. Pastor Burts then proposed that the new church be known as the Friendship Baptist Church. His suggestion was accepted and the name was adopted by unanimous
vote. The first officers to serve were: J.A. Cross, Chairman of Trustees; William Dorsey, Chairman of Deacons; J.E. Jackson, Treasurer; G.A. Hunter-Cummings, Church Clerk; and Mildred Lee Bell, Financial Secretary, who serves in that capacity today. Services were held each Sunday at the Community House until July 1949. With faith and hope burning brightly the property at 529 18th Street was purchased from Congregation Tifereth Israel in July 1949. That was the church's home for nine years.
|
|
 |
The Kersee Era
|
 (1949-1951)
Pastor Burts' was succeeded in 1951 by Reverend H.R. Kersee. Friendship Baptist Church
became incorporated as a non-profit corporation. Pastor Kersee was an able Bible Teacher and an inspiring preacher, writer and a strong leader with a commanding presence. Friendship Baptist Church began to gain recognition and was active in the Progressive Baptist District Association of Southern California. Pastor Kersee's tenure ended in 1955 when he relocated to pastor in Los Angeles, California.
|
|
 |
The
Allison Era
|
 (1962-1981)
Reverend James Allison was called as the fourth pastor of New Hope Friendship
Missionary Baptist Church.
Pastor Allison was known as an able administrator and a decisive leader who piloted
the church through stormy financial seas and led it through dark days.
In 1970, the original mortgage was paid off. In 1979, Pastor Allison
led the congregation into a renovation program of $80,000.00. Several
new auxiliaries were established and the church continued to grow.
Pastor
Allison's tenure ended in 1981. To this day, he has served longer than
any other man as pastor of this church with a service record of 19 years.
Under his leadership we strengthened our ties in the Progressive Baptist
District Association and expanded into the California Missionary Baptist
State Convention and the National Baptist Convention of America. Pastor
Allison went on to organize another congregation and passed away several
years later.
|
|
|
The Thomas Era
|
(1955-1962)
Reverend Otis Thomas was called
as the third pastor of Friendship
Baptist Church in 1955.
In 1958 the State of California decided to build Interstate 5 which was directly
in the path of our church location
on 18th Street. The church relocated
to our present site, 2205 Harrison
Avenue, on the corner of Harrison
and Sampson and purchased the adjacent
parsonage. The church was re-incorporated
as "New Hope Friendship Missionary Baptist Church of San Diego, Incorporated" in tribute to Dr. B.O. Byrd, the president of the California Missionary Baptist Sate Convention and pastor of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church of Los Angeles, California. To this day, some of our seasoned saints still refer to the church as "Friendship."
|
|
|
 (1981-1994)
Reverend Milton E. Chambers, Sr., an associate minister of the 2nd Baptist Church, Oceanside, CA, was called as the 5th pastor of New Hope Friendship Missionary Baptist
Church. Chambers was a warm, loving, humorous and compassionate leader. He was an inspired Bible Teacher and outstanding preacher. Under his leadership the membership doubled and a Children's Church was
established. The Church voted to invest in the purchase of several homes in the community. This has turned out to be a wise investment indeed, allowing the church to build a parking lot directly across the street for the church. The church purchased properties at 2220, 2222, and 2224 Harrison Avenue which are existing rental properties. The Church became dually aligned denominationally and joined the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1988, the church voted to unite with the newly organized National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, Dr. S.M. Lockridge, president. Chambers established the Administrator's position to free him to devote more time to preaching, teaching and counseling. Dea. Paul Gaywood was selected for this position and serves unto this day. A part-time secretarial position was created and the Sunday School was completely reorganized to meet the needs of the church family. Pastor Chambers resigned in December 1994 to serve on the Mission Field in Mississippi after serving as pastor for 13 years. He is currently pastoring a church in Mississippi.
The Houston Era
 (1995-2004)
Reverend Alonzo Brooks, Sr. served as the Interim Pastor. On April 16, 1995, Reverend Robert Earl Houston, Sr., pastor of the Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church of Fresno, California, was called as the 6th pastor of New Hope Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. He began his pastoral duties on May 1, 1995. He had a contagious spirit and exemplifies a loving spirit and determined leadership. From 1995 to 2003, the church sponsored a successful
Hispanic ministry, Nuevo Esperanza. Rev. Emilio Meza was called to lead the Hispanic Ministry. The relationship ended in February 2003 as Pastor Meza and the congregation relocated to National City, CA. On January 19, 1997 the Church voted to seek larger facilities to house our various ministries. To temporarily meet the needs, we purchased and installed a trailer which is being used for our Nurses and First Aid Station. On Monday, September 18, 2000, the Congregation voted to build a new worship facility . During the Church Anniversary on March 11, 2001, the architecture plans were officially introduced to the congregation. However, in 2004, our plans were formally turned down by the City of San Diego. We are currently looking for land to build a new church. In December 1997 and December 1998 we retired two (2) mortgages. During the same month, we completed the process of repurchasing the former church parsonage located at 515 Sampson Street. I another mortgage was burned during our black history program. In November 2001, we officially retired two (2) additional mortgages at over $100,000.00. In the same month God continued to bless us through the late Sis. Mae Bell Page, who passed away and donated her estate to the congregation. One of the children she helped raise blessed us with a new church van to primarily transport the elderly! To God be the Glory!!!
|
|
