Reported by April Taylor
Atlanta’s oldest black church, Friendship Baptist, is closing its doors after more than 150 years. The church was established in 1862 by 25 former slaves and became Atlanta’s first Black Baptist autonomous congregation when it independently organized in 1866, following the Civil War. In its first days, the congregation met in a boxcar that was provided by the Ninth Street Baptist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. Both Morehouse College and Spelman College began classes at the church’s building and continue to have strong ties with the church.
The church completed a deal last year worth $19.5 million with the city who negotiated on behalf of the Atlanta Falcons, to have the church relocate to make way for a new stadium. The historic Mount Vernon Baptist Church has already been demolished as it lies in the new stadium’s path also.
The church held its final services Sunday, calling it the “Transitioning Service,” whose theme was “Remembering Our Heritage, Embracing Our Future: (John 3:1-8, Revelation 21:1-7).” The pews were packed with more than three times the normal number of people in attendance. Reverend William Guy delivered the last sermon entitled, “The Constant Amid Change.” He stated, “If you are like me, you are full of emotion. For some like me, this day is bittersweet. For most of us, it is a time of sadness. Grieving is among us.” Reverend Guy went on to explain the five stages of grief and then said, “The church is more than the building. The church is the people…not bricks and mortar.” Reverend Guy also reminded the congregation that the spirits of those who are part of the church’s history will be carried with the church no matter where the new building is located.
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