On October 16 1938 Friendship Missionary Baptist Church began in a home. Eight people gathered for its organization. Reverend William Reverend Smith and Reverend Jones briefly served as pastors. Friendship Baptist Church found its fourth pastor in April 1943. Reverend Harry B Sampson Senior served until his death in 1971.
Friendship Baptist Church initially worshipped in a small frame building. Reverend Sampson oversaw the construction of a brick building around it. This Memorial Building was completed and dedicated in 1947. It still stands today. He also purchased two additional lots. He modernized the sanctuary adding indoor plumbing.
Church growth led to the construction of a larger facility in 1963. This larger sanctuary is still in use today. Further improvements included water coolers an organ a piano air conditioning units a public address system pews and pulpit furniture. During Reverend Sampson’s tenure Friendship Baptist Church affiliated with The Puritan Association. Later it joined The Baptist Mission District Association. Reverend Sampson was its first Moderator. The church maintained state-level affiliation with The American Baptist State Convention of Texas. Nationally it affiliated with the National Baptist Convention of America.
After Reverend Sampson’s passing Reverend Franklin D Sampson became the fifth pastor in 1972. His leadership brought about more improvements. These included asphalt paving of the parking lot new air conditioning units and remodeling of the older buildings into classrooms and offices. He oversaw the purchase of a grocery store and several vacant lots for future development. A house and land were also acquired and renovated for classroom use. New ministries began including the Youth Enrichment Summer YES Program. An after-school program for students at J C Sanderson Elementary School was also established. Trinity Gardens Integral Forces Inc a community development organization stemmed from the church’s home mission ministry.
In October 1997 plans for a new Educational and Fellowship Building began. Groundbreaking for the F D Sampson and Friends For Life Building took place in April 2001. The cornerstone was laid in September 2002. The building was dedicated in October 2003.
By 2005 Friendship Baptist Church owned the H B Sampson Senior Memorial Building the Sanctuary Building and the F D Sampson and Friends For Life Building all on four lots. Additional property included a house and fourteen lots in Trinity Garden Community and two in Bonita Gardens.
Under Reverend Franklin D Sampson’s leadership Friendship Baptist Church held affiliations with Unity Missionary Baptist General Association and Independent Missionary Baptist General Association. State-level affiliations included The American Baptist State Convention of Texas and The Missionary Baptist General Convention of Texas. The national affiliation remained with The National Baptist Convention of America Incorporated.
Hurricane Ike in 2008 caused damage. Worship services were held in the F D Sampson and Friends For Life Building until repairs were complete. In April 2009 the Sanctuary Building was rededicated.
Friendship Baptist Church stands as a testament to faith community and growth. Its rich history is woven into the fabric of San Antonio.