COLUMBUS, Ohio — Friendship Missionary Baptist Church has survived war, social movements, and a pandemic. Now, the church is celebrating a new milestone; its centennial. 

What You Need To Know

  • Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating 100 years

  • Mary Lou Eiland has been a member of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church for many years

  • Eiland is the great niece of the church’s first pastor, Reverend Solomon Smith

  • The church is located off of West Broad Street

Mary Lou Eiland has been a member of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church since she can remember.

“I just don’t know any other church because I don’t want to know any other church,” said Eiland. “My mother had to go to church and this is where she went and she went all her life. And when I was born, I went all my life.”

Eiland is the great niece of the church’s first pastor, Reverend Solomon Smith, who served from 1922 to 1924. Original members were made up of Smith's immediate family and a few other Christians.

Eiland said that when she started going to church almost 80 years ago, the words "congregation" and "community" were interchangeable.

“You could run over here to miss so-and-so’s house and get some hot rolls and you could go over there and do such, because everybody knew each other,” Eiland said. 

R.T. Gleaves took over in 1924 and not only brought deacons and trustees, but the congregation grew and the church got a new building. In 1973, Reverend G. Thomas Turner Sr., took the reins. Friendship changed buildings twice under his leadership to accommodate its growing size and added various ministries and services. 

Turner preached until he no longer could, and in 2016, Reverend Doctor Scottie Aaron became the new pastor, traveling from Sandusky to lead.

“I had for several months been feeling like the Lord was actually calling me somewhere else," said Aaron. "I just didn’t know where.” 

Faith has been ingrained in him since he was a little boy, and he uses the rich history of the Black church to inspire him. When he was called to lead at Friendship, he knew he had big shoes to fill.

“Taking what you’ve gone through in the past and just moving forward and ready to receive exactly what God has for you,” said Aaron. 

Friendship’s current building is located off of West Broad Street. Reverend Aaron said it’s important for the congregation to practice what they preach. Their outreach ministry helps those in need, whether it's a hot meal, a coat or a prayer.

“I try to preach and teach and instill within the people here at the church that we must make an impact on society,” said Aaron. “They shouldn't just see us driving into church and then leaving, we must go to where they are.” 

The church has weathered many storms over the past 100 years. When I-70 was built, it changed what their community looked like and how it functioned. Pastor Aaron said it’s ultimately God who has gotten them through.

“Praise God for all that he has done, all that he is currently doing and all that he will continue to do, in and through the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church,” said Aaron. 

The church's exhibit was only on display this weekend, but its history is available online.

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article said R.T. Gleaves preached until he no longer could in 2016. The article was updated to reflect it was the Rev. G. Thomas Turner Sr. (July 22, 2022)