It began as a mission organized by a group of women who desired to fellowship, worship together and serve their community...
In 1942 a group of women from the Mount Vernon Community led by Mother Lillian Davis, an active missionary, began a Freewill Baptist Mission work. For two years these women shared in their homes the message and work of Christ.
In 1944, the officials of the Freewill Baptist Conference came and officially organized the St. Paul Freewill Baptist Church of Mount Vernon, New York. Around the late 40s the church was renamed Little Friendship United American Freewill Baptist Church. In 1950, Little Friendship became incorporated in the State of New York.
During the early stages of the church development, many different ministers and lay people held the church together. Early development was done under the supervision of the late Rev. N.E. Sharp Moderator of the Northern Annual Conference, from the United American Freewill Baptist Church.
The first elected pastor of this church was the late Rev. B.T. Johnson who led the church from 1948-1956. During his tenure Little Friendship purchased its church building at 358 South Ninth Avenue, Mount Vernon, New York. The successions of Pastors were Rev. S.H. Wylie 1956-1957, Rev. H. Miller 1957-1958, Rev. O. E. Davis 1958-1959, Rev. Otis Park 1959-1983, Rev. Joe L. Brown 1983-1988, and Elder C. Nathan Edwers 1988 – present.
In 1997, the church name was changed to Friendship Unified Freewill Baptist Church of Mount Vernon, New York.
New programs were established under Pastor Edwers' leadership, including the Layman’s Institute and the Logos (word) ministry, which was broadcast live from the sanctuary every Sunday morning from 11:00am to 12:00pm on Radio Station WRTN 93.5 FM.
In August 1998 Pastor C. Nathan Edwers was led by the Lord to move Friendship Unified Freewill Baptist Church into a $1.3 million edifice located at 261 East Lincoln Avenue in Mount Vernon, seating 1200 persons.
In September 1998 Pastor Edwers was moved by the Holy Ghost to rename our church to Friendship Worship Center, The Family Center. On March 20, 1999 Pastor Edwers was consecrated as a Bishop in the Lord’s church. Through the years the Lord has blessed this ministry to birth pastors, ministers and churches throughout the metropolitan area. Friendship Worship Center is an active member of the Body of Christ and has continued its affiliation with the Free Will Baptist FAITH.
To think it all began with a small group of people working effortlessly to raise funds to fulfill a vision. On August 15, 2021, the church members burned their mortgage 7 years early. If the past is any indication of what the future holds for Friendship Worship Center, we can hope for great things from this forward moving church. The vision of a Pastor and his members transformed property valued 1.3 million into a 3.6-million-dollar investment. Succeeding generations will benefit from this ultimate sacrifice of love and commitment. Friendship Worship Center's presence shall live among the Fleetwood area of the City of Mount Vernon and beyond.
"HALLELUJAH! GOD DID IT!!!!!"
