LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Friendship
Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York, to be celebrated on May 21, 2010

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
100th Anniversary of Friendship Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York, to
be celebrated at a Black and White Anniversary Banquet in the Church's
Banquet Hall on Friday, May 21, 2010; and
WHEREAS, The Friendship Baptist Church was organized as a mission and
set apart on June 10, 1910; it was first located at 393 Elton Street in
the East New York section of Brooklyn; the founding Pastor was the
Reverend M.F. Logan, who served just over two years; and
WHEREAS, On April 15, 1912, the members of Friendship Baptist Church
elected the Reverend Albert C. Matthews as its second pastor and on
August 4, 1913, the church received its corporation certificate; and
WHEREAS, In 1938, Uriah Baxter Whitfield was elected the 15th Pastor
of the Friendship Baptist Church; at this time, the church was located
at 447 Elton Street; in 1948, the Church purchased property located at
293 Howard Avenue and on Sunday, August 21, 1949, the pastor and congre-
gation marched to their new home; and
WHEREAS, On May 17, 1966, the purchase of Kismet Temple located at 92
Herkimer Street was made and on Sunday, May 29, 1966, the Reverend Dr.
Uriah Baxter Whitfield along with the congregation marched to the larg-
est church site in the borough of Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, On Saturday, June 26, 1999, the Reverend Craig B. Gaddy Sr.
was elected as the 16th Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church and contin-
ues to hold this position today; and
WHEREAS, Upon being elected as Pastor, Reverend Craig B. Gaddy Sr.
dedicated himself to his vision of "Restoring the Village" and imme-
diately became involved with the community; as a result, a relationship
developed that brought the needs of the community to the surface; in
addition, the members of Friendship Baptist Church realized the signif-
icant role they could have in meeting the needs of the community; and
WHEREAS, Friendship Baptist Church has evolved into the community
service institution with alliances and partnerships that provide
services needed to raise the quality of life throughout the community;
its outreach programs include GED training, English as a Second Language
classes, legal counseling, computer literacy and college preparation;
and
WHEREAS, In addition, the congregation has formed a strong partnership
with its sister church, the Friendship Baptist Church of Accra, Ghana,
West Africa, which is under the leadership of Pastor Faustina A. Blank-
son; and
WHEREAS, Friendship Baptist Church stands on the threshold of tomor-
row, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while retain-
ing that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Friendship Baptist Church of Brook-
lyn, New York, to be observed on May 21, 2010, fully confident that this

commemoration reflects the belief in those values which enhance the
dignity and purpose of life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Friendship Baptist Church, Inc., Brooklyn, New York.