Every nail, shingle and beam in the City of Corning’s New Friendship Baptist Church brings with it a tradition of caring and involvement in that city’s black community that began with the arrival of the first black families more than 90 years ago.

Indeed, the history of Friendship Baptist Church in Corning closely parallels the history of the city’s black community.  Many of Corning’s current black families can boast of a tradition of involvement and organization in the church that began at the turn of the century.  A tradition that began not long after those hardy southern pioneers stepped off the train at Big Flats and trekked almost 10 miles into Corning to begin a new life in what must have seemed to them like a new country.

Their arrival to what was then an obscure part of New York State promised to be at least a challenge of survival.  Like other American pioneers, these early black settlers had given up family and friends to begin a new life in this budding little northern industrial city.

Every mile northward took them farther away from the mild southern winters, the predominately black communities and the tradition of religious worship to which they had grown accustomed, and which, for the most part, was their most valuable weapon in that war of survival.  The history of black people everywhere is riddled with examples of their conquests over adversity because of their faith in a God who would see them through any difficulty.

This was a faith that was deeply and concretely embedded through several generations of embittered and disenfranchised blacks – a process of faith that began when the first cargo of slaves arrived in this country, and was still very much alive when the first train load of tired and bewildered blacks arrived at Big Flats in 1907.

The Church has always been the hub of the black community.  Much more than a physical building, it represented that feeling of security, family and belonging that the community could find nowhere else.  It was there, in the presence of family and friends, that individuals in the black community could reaffirm their faith without restraint, in a manner that was uniquely theirs.

In 1908, when Corning’s small black community decided to establish its first church, it must have been the sense of community in mind.  That first church, the Beulah Baptist Church, was located at 263 E. Market Street and had as its past or Rev. H.T. Hogan, father of Mrs. Willie B. Sweats.

However, the first church only survived for about one year.  There was no available documentation that revealed the reasons for the church’s failure, but it was evident that it did not dampen the enthusiasm nor faith of the people.  For about 10 years, members of the black community met and prayed in each other’s homes.   As the community and church grew, the modest homes that were eagerly made available increasingly became inadequate as places of worship.

Members were eventually forced to borrow the facilities of established churches in the community, such as Trinity AME Zion Church and St. James Chapel on Market Street.

When it became obvious that the need for their own church could no longer be ignored, members began serious work towards the organization of a Baptist Church.  At one of these meetings, Genesis T. McGrady said that he knew a young minister in Troy, Alabama who had energy and expertise to reorganize the church.

On August 7, 1919, the Rev. Morgan M. Days and his wife Ruby Mae came to Corning, and for the next two years, organized and held together the new church.  It was called “Friendship Baptist Church”, in memory of the church in Troy, Alabama from which most of the Corning members had originated.

The young minister was a dedicated and committed organizer whose efforts were not wasted on that grateful community, because as soon as the new church was dedicated, church members arranged to have him continue his education.

And as it was recorded in the minutes of one of the church’s meetings by Mrs. Mary March, church members followed Rev. Days’ academic progress with tremendous pride.

After the dedication of the church, the ministers thought it would be a fine thing for our pastor to finish his education, so through Rev. E. A. Snyder, Rev. Days entered Cook Academy and spent two years in which time he completed the course which he entered to take.  While there he made a record which is a credit to the whole race.  He was loved by all whom he came in contact with.  Some confessed that they liked him because he always wore a smile on his face at all times.  While he was there he was elected Vice-President of the Y.M.C.A., secretary and treasurer of his class, and a member of the glee club.  In all these he played his part well.  During his last term he became famous as a speaker, and was admired by the entire school for his ability as a speaker.  We are proud of our Church and Pastor.  Both have made rapid strides on the path to success.

The membership of that early church reveals some family names that are still prominent in the active rosters of the current Friendship Baptist Church.

The Standing Committee that was elected in 1919 included:

J. T. Carter – Chairman, S. D. March, James McGrady, M. T. Hooten, G. D. McGrady, W. M. Holmes, Alfred Franks.

The Deaconess Board comprised of Mrs. Margaret McGrady, Mrs. Mary March, Mrs. Alice Holmes, Mrs. Arkansas Lashea  and Mrs. Catherine Johnson.

  Other members included:

As the church’s membership grew, so did its prominence within the community.  Friendship Baptist Church became a recognized and accepted component of the Corning Community, a fact that Mrs. March mentions with pride in her records.  Our church and pastor now stand second to none as far as a first class standing is concerned.  People of both races admire them and point to them with a finger of pride.  We belong to the most worthwhile organization that a Baptist could belong to, and play our part well. Church members also valued their independence and the pride of their ability to function without any economic assistance from outside sources was evident in this entry to the church’s records.  

Another thing we are proud of regarding our Church and Pastor is this: We have not applied to the Baptist Denomination for aid.  Neither has our pastor.  We have paddled our own canoe.  Our church is self-supporting.  Some small churches join the Association for the simple reason of receiving aid, but we are not of that class.  We are willing to work, watch and pray.

The legacy of independence, pride and industry among church members continued for 62 years, kept alive by the descendants of those early Alabama settlers who were determined to maintain a religious organization whose hallmark would be dignity, community service and brotherhood.

The early church members drafted a creed that read: We believe that God made all nations of one blood, and that we are to live and work together as the sons and daughters of one great family.  We have unfaltering trust in the law, power and mercy of JESUS CHRIST.  Our heart’s desire is to make the world better for our having passed through it.

When Rev. Days left in 1921, he was replaced by a Rev. Horn, who in turn was followed by a Rev. Williams and then by a Rev. Warfield of Rochester.  Between 1936 and 1972 Friendship Baptist Church had three successive Philadelphia ministers:  Rev. Quentin Jackson, Rev. J. H. Beatty, and Rev. David N. Jones.

They were followed by Rev. Templeton Taylor of Binghamton and Rev. Arthur Todd of Syracuse in 1977.  In 1978, the Rev. Willie Wright became pastor of the church and spearheaded the drive for a new church building.  His untimely death occurred just after the foundation of the new church was laid.

From the 1919 origin of the first Friendship Baptist Church on 85 East Market Street – the site of an old saloon to another building at 165 East Market Street, and the St. Marks Church Building on Tuxill Avenue, to the new structure in recently restored downtown section of Corning, several lifetimes of dedications, commitment and pride have been invested.

Although the distance between the site of the original church and the new church may be a few blocks apart, the time and effort that we required to make that move covered six decades and several generations. It was a period that bore witness to foreign wars, national racial tension that spared no communities, natural disasters including the flood of 1972 and internal conflict.

However, the foundation of strength and faith was established by the original members of Friendship Baptist Church was more than enough to hold the church together through those turbulent times.

Rev. Days, speaking about political, international and internal conflict in one of his sermons to the Corning congregation, said that to combat strife, people should be “fitted to do religion as well as talk religion.”

Obviously, most of Rev. Days’ teachings have survived to ensure the survival of Corning’s Friendship Baptist Church.

The foundation and strength and faith that was established by the 32 original members of Friendship Baptist Church was more than enough to hold the church together through those turbulent times.

“The Faith in a God that will see you through regardless,” was instilled in those of use that were part of the legacy build on faith, devotion and respect.

We have been inspired to go forth; and so we did.

Through disappointments and hardships and internal strife, the call to build a new church building was heard loud and clear.  It was almost like our forebears before us who struggled on meager means said
“Go forth.  If God be for your, who can be against you.”

So the task began, and the realization of a new Friendship Building in the same area of the old church building took roots.  It was a cold brisk Sunday in February, that we marched from our rented facilities on Tuxill Avenue to our new building at the corner of Denison Parkway and Pearl Streets.

We marked “Thanking God for all his goodness and thanking God for Rev. Willie Wright who came to us when the need for strong leadership was so much in evidence.”

Leading the march was Rev. George McDowell, our interim pastor who had served us since October 1979 after the death of
Rev. Wright.

Rev. McDowell preached a sermon on thanksgiving to God who had again brought his people through.

The scripture from II Chronicle 7 chapter 14-16 was so very much in our thoughts.

“If my people, which are called by name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

“Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attend unto the prayer that is made in this place.  For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there forever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.”

Now with a permanent building and the responsibility of caring for God’s people, we knew that there was a need for leadership – a permanent pastor.

Our interim pastor chose to decline.  We began a search for new leadership.  Our prayers led us to ask a young minister, David T. P. Perrin, who had been our guest speaker in February of 1979 for our Prayer Band Program.

Rev. Perrin and his family came to Corning in June of 1981.  Our spiritual growth continued.  Bible study was again a weekly part of our services.  New bibles and hymn books were purchased.  The Scripture Committee was organized.

There was a use of more lay members in the Sunday Worship.  Sunday School and Morning Service took on new meanings.  Through Rev. Perrin, we began our association with the Southern Baptist Convention.   In 1984 the Perrins moved back to Washington, D.C. Immediately a Colgate Seminarian came to serve us, Rev. Lorenzo Flemmings.  Rev. Flemmings continued to come and serve our spiritual needs until 1985 when Rev. John L. Hill of Rochester was called as out permanent pastor.   Rev. Hill stayed at Friendship for only a year. Through our friends at Calvary Baptist Church, we met   pastor, Rev. Gary A. Holland.  Under the leadership of Rev. Holland, pews for our sanctuary were purchased. The Deacons Ministry Plan, Trustee’s membership plan and tithing programs were established. Spring and Fall revivals were now a yearly part of the church program.  Mid-week prayer service, Monday evening Bible study and new member orientation were offered by Friendship.

Rev. Holland’s untimely death in April of 1992 was a deep blow for the Friendship family.  We were again comforted with the reassurance that God never leaves us – we are His people called by His name. 

Leadership was already in place in the form of Rev. Donald Stevenson, who had joined Friendship shortly after relocating to our community.  He served as an interim pastor until he accepted the pastorate in 1999. 

Under his leadership our mission statement was developed.  The church continued to grow spiritually and numerically.  We discussed whether to move from our present location or expand our building. 

In 2002, a building fund was established; the church asked all adult members to contribute $500.00. Rev. Stevenson also suggested a children’s fund so our younger members could contribute as well.

In December 2003, the Stevensons transitioned to Hickory, NC.  As always, God is faithful – leadership was in place in the form of Rev. Taswell Henderson.  He was there to guide us as we searched for new leadership.  Rev. Henderson had leadership training sessions, ordained Deacons that had been set apart, and revisited the church constitution.  

In July 2005, the church called Rev. Joseph B. Covington as pastor of Friendship.  In the few years that Rev. Covington has been here, he has increased fellowship with Sister Churches in the community and with in the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.; renewed link between  Baptist Convention of New York; expanded Wednesday mid-week Bible study along with establishing Wednesday Noonday Prayer Service; oversaw the completion of the 2002 Campaign Building Expansion in 2006; expanded the Youth and Music Ministry; Ordained three  Deacons and established the FBC Bible Institute. 

Rev. Covington is currently working with the ministries on the vision the Lord gave him “Living Our Mission Being a Connected Church” as we move into the future.

Thus we are reminded of the remarks made by Rev. Reginald McClain’s , the speaker at the June 21, 1981  new church building dedication as he charged the membership: 

“Not to allow this building to become a social club, but this building built for the glory of God to be used by its People as a place of worship and as a place to save souls for Christ.”