Haven’t you wondered about the story behind the Greater Friendly Chapel Baptist Church. This Dallas church began with a meeting at Mr. George Fox’s home in September 1948. Forty-three people attended. Mr. Worth Black led the opening prayer. Mr. Horace Lawing was the moderator. Mrs. Tyson Lawing was elected church clerk. Mrs. Horace Lawing became secretary and treasurer.
During that initial meeting, they raised $2,000. Mr. and Mrs. Tyson Lawing donated 1.54 acres of land. Mr. Carl Hewitt suggested the name “Friendly Chapel Baptist Church”. They decided to hold services in homes. This continued until the church building was ready. Mr. George Shull led the closing prayer.
The first building cost $5,547.22. It was made of cement blocks and measured about 30’x50’. Construction finished in November 1948. Since it was just an auditorium, they also used it for Sunday school. The first services took place on November 21st, 1948. Rev. Haskel Sided read from Psalm 103. Four souls were saved that day. The choir had approximately fifty members. Mr. RQ Howard directed with Miss Ruth Howard on piano.
On December 20th, 1948, three men were ordained as deacons. They were Mr. Rhyne Henley, Mr. Horace Lawing, and Mr. Tyson Lawing. They joined already ordained deacons Mr. George Fox and Mr. George Shull. These men became the first deacons of Friendly Chapel.
Friendly Chapel Baptist Church joined the South Fork Baptist Association in September 1950. Mr. Vance Lawing was the choir director. Miss Shirley played the piano. The final payment on the church was made in August 1951. Soon after, they added classrooms and restrooms.
In February 1959, they bought a small piece of land (.82 acre) from Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Poole for $500. The first wedding at Friendly Chapel was on October 25th, 1959. Miss Jean McCorkle married Mr. Bobby Shull. Rev. Floyd Beaver officiated.
Friendly Chapel held its first Bible School in 1961. Four souls were saved. Mrs. Floyd Beaver directed the school. Also, the church bought an organ that year. Mrs. Darris Lee Turbyfill became the organist.
In 1963, the congregation voted to build a new church building. They started construction without a pastor. The church trusted God would provide a way. Mr. Preston Turbyfill and the Harris brothers built it. Mr. Turbyfill, Mrs. Tyson Lawing, and DL Turbyfill created the plans.
The new building cost $20,800. It measured 40’x86’. It included a front porch with four columns. A back porch and a baptistery were also included. Mr. Joe Burke painted the baptistery scene. There was a nursery, a full basement with eight Sunday School rooms, an office, and two restrooms. Members helped with the work. They moved the pulpit furniture, pews, and piano from the old church. These items went into the Sunday school rooms of the new church.
The first baptizing in the unfinished new church occurred on July 5th, 1964. Rev. Morris Baker baptized Mrs. Peggy Reel. Others baptized that day were Miss Vickie McGee, Miss Jerrie Stikeleather, Miss Becky Ballard, Miss Myrldene, Mr. Randy Carpenter, and Mr. Pete Wilkinson.
On September 13th, 1964, Friendly Chapel held its first morning service in the new church. In July 1966, the church bought the Marvin Poole house and land for $8,000. The land measured 4.5 acres.
In August 1968, air conditioning was installed at a cost of $1,800. The first church directory was printed in 1970. The loan for the new church was paid off on September 13th, 1971. A paved parking lot was added on August 30th, 1972. A new organ was installed on February 18th 1973.
Construction on a new Church Parsonage began in March 1977. It was ready by September 3rd, 1977. The church voted to build a Fellowship Building in July 1979. Work started in August 1979 and finished in March 1980. A new sign was placed in front of the church in April 1989.
One of the current church vans was purchased in 2001. Also, in September 2001, the church held a tent revival. Several area churches cooperated. Work on the Sunday school addition finished in 2004. In 2012, the church added another bus. A group took their first Coal Wood West Virginia Mission trip in 2013. They took a Vermont Mission trip in 2014.
Shirley Dellinger was pianist from 1950 to 2014. Mrs. Helen Turbyfill was organist from 1961 to 2019. Mrs. Ann Simmons is the current pianist. In 2020, the church marked 72 years. It has been in the current building for 56 years. The church is thankful for God’s blessings. It also appreciates the Pastors, Deacons, and Officers who have served. They look forward to future blessings. Greater Friendly Baptist Chr seeks to be a loving, friendly community that worships God, and serves others.
Greater Friendly Baptist Chr in Dallas, Texas is a Christian congregation serving the Dallas community. It seeks to impact and renew Dallas and beyond with the transforming message of Jesus Christ through words and actions.