The New Friendship Baptist Church was organized on March 12, 1958 at 2979 Prospect Street, Gary, Indiana in a small garage. Reverend F. W. Coleman was the presiding Minister and Organizer of the New Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.

Our charter members were Reverend Benjamin Holmes, Sister Leatra Holmes, Rev. Joseph Paul, Sister Maggie Paul, Sister Daisy Franklin, Sister Juanita Franklin, Rev. George McCoy, Sister Hattie Thompson, Brother George Thompson and the late Mother Ethel Purnell.

Under the leadership of Pastor Holmes, the church grew rapidly, and the congregation was divided into auxiliaries. In the fall of 1958 the church moved to the old Pilgrim Church Building at 1961 Washington Street. At this location the Lord continues to add many souls to the church. We remained there until Pastor Holmes had a vision to move to the Tolleston area of Gary. This vision was presented to the membership and was accepted.

In the fall of 1959 the church moved to the Tolleston area at 2901 West 15th Avenue. There the church continued to grow. As time moved on we outgrew our building. As we continued to progress, Pastor had a vision to purchase some lots at 1545 Waite Street. This was presented to the members, it was gladly accepted. The membership worked hard with various projects to help make Pastor Holmes’ vision a reality.

Our accomplishments have been many. The three lots that we purchased were paid off in less than three years. We broke ground and began construction on the basement in 1966. We moved into the basement later that year, we completed our sanctuary October 1969. We marched into our sanctuary the third Sunday in November 1969. Our church continued to make progress. In 1975 we extended our sanctuary. This extension included the following: A Baptistry, a choir loft, a church office, the Pastor’s Study and Bath, a storage room, the kitchen and rest rooms.
Through God’s Grace, our accomplishments have been many. As we continued to grow, Pastor had another vision to build a new edifice, adjacent to our current building. Also, to purchase more lots for parking, to open a credit union and a housing structure for the elderly and disabled.

We are now operating a Junior Church, Bible Basics and Prayer Service on a daily basis. We hold quarterly Leadership Conferences to help our leaders to be as well informed as possible. In 2004 we are started GED and Computer Classes. We expect to start a Day Care and After School Program in our annex facility in the future.

God’s financial blessings have allowed us to be a tithing ministry. This financial soundness and the vision God gave Pastor Holmes has put us in a position to move into our new edifice on May 7, 2000. We praise God for our expansion and our membership who love the Lord and show it through their daily living. We continue to march by FAITH!