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ENROLLED ORIGINAL
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
26-85
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
October 7, 2025
To recognize and celebrate Friendship Baptist Church in Southwest, DC, on the occasion of its
150th anniversary, for its service, faith, mission, and dedication to the community.
WHEREAS, Friendship Baptist Church was first established as the Virginia Avenue Baptist
Church under the vision of Reverend R.S. Laws in 1875, bringing 54 members from the Reverend’s
previous tenure at the Mount Olivet Baptist Church of Arlington, Virginia;
WHEREAS, in 1886, the congregation funded the church’s move to a new building at 734
1st Street, SW;
WHEREAS, in 1905, the Virginia Avenue Baptist Church was renamed the Friendship
Baptist Church under Reverend Alexander Wilbanks’ leadership;
WHEREAS, the Friendship Baptist Church congregation came together to support the
relocation of the church again in 1965 to its present location at 900 Delaware Avenue, SW;
WHEREAS, Friendship Baptist Church, then under the leadership of Reverend B.H.
Whiting, purchased an entire city block to support its growing congregation, taking out a
substantial loan in the process, which the community came together to pay off quickly;
WHEREAS, a focus on supporting the community through spiritual guidance and
education has been a cornerstone of Friendship Baptist Church, one of the District of Columbia’s
oldest African American congregations;
WHEREAS, Friendship Baptist Church offers a vast array of community engagement
activities, hosting events for all ages;
WHEREAS, Friendship Baptist Church encourages its youth members to expand their
horizons, from joining the youth choir to pursuing higher education with the help of the Benjamin
H. Whiting Scholarship Fund;
WHEREAS, Friendship Baptist Church endeavors to allow anyone to join in worship,
offering live streaming for those unable to attend in person;
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, Friendship Baptist Church and its congregation have withstood many
hardships, remaining a pillar of the Southwest community through gentrification and
redevelopment;
WHEREAS, Friendship Baptist Church has long served as a hub of civic life in Southwest,
including by opening its doors as a polling place and for community meetings;
WHEREAS, Friendship Baptist Church has been blessed with many outstanding leaders,
including the current leadership of Reverend Dr. J. Michael Little; and
WHEREAS, Friendship Baptist Church has always been, and remains, a cornerstone of the
Southwest community and the District’s faith community.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “Friendship Baptist Church 150th Anniversary Recognition
Resolution of 2025”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and celebrates Friendship
Baptist Church in Southwest, DC, on the occasion of its 150th anniversary, for its service, faith,
mission, and dedication to the community.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.