Friendship African Baptist Church

Historic Property

Alternate Name:

Friendship Baptist Church

Street Address:

515 Richland AVE E, Aiken, SC (Aiken County)

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Site Number:

03_3742

Control Number:

U/03/3742

Date Surveyed:

October 29 2010

Category:

Building

Construction Date:

1893

Historic Use:

Religion

Current Use:

Religion

Architect or Builder:

Mr. Otts, Designer

Number of Stories:

1

Construction Method:

masonry

Exterior Walls Materials:

Brick

Foundation Materials:

Brick Piers

National Register Determination:

Potentially Eligible;

Signficant Architectural Features:

prominent cruciform shape; mansard-roofed steeple; polychrome brickwork; rondelle on gable ends; arched brick windodows.

Historical Information:

In August of 1893, while the annual revival was in session, a fire of unknown origin completely destroyed the original wooden building. Following the wishes of the members, Reverend Phillips led the Friendship community in building a new brick church._x000D_ _x000D_ Mr. Otts, a concerned white Christian man who came to the South following the Civil War to serve as a teacher and religious leader, was the architect. He assisted by drawing the plans for the present brick building. It should also be noted that Mr. Otts served as superintendent of the Sunday School at Friendship Baptist Church ._x000D_ _x000D_ The construction began in December of 1893. During the construction of the brick church, worship services were held and church business was conducted at the Odd Fellows Hall on the corner of Kershaw Street and Park Avenue . The brick church was completed in early 1894. The men helped build the church, while the women and children brought water and food for the workers.

Source of Historical Information:

"History: Friendship Baptist Church," http://fbcaiken.com/about/history/

Survey:

City of Aiken Historic Resources Survey, Aiken County, South Carolina. May 2010

Quadrangle Name:

Aiken

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