Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Myers celebrates 106th anniversary

The congregation of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday celebrated love and a dedication to religious values that have held the Fort Myers church together for 106 years

Former members of St. John Missionary Church split off from their congregation in 1912, church history says, and came together to worship at a new site: two three-room houses joined together on Orange Street. The move to its current location came in 1950.

That 106-year anniversary culminated a month's worth of celebration with a worship service Sunday at the church's current home on Palm Avenue, just off Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

"It is special," said Pastor James A. Bing, the church's leader since 1974. Bing said he has seen a lot of changes in his 40-plus years at Friendship.

"There's been a heavy outmigration of people," he said. "We get people from Bonita Springs, Estero, Lehigh Acres and Cape Coral."

Bing eschews the Dunbar location label in favor of saying the church is in Fort Myers.

"It's a label I rather dislike," he said. "There's a lot of good people in this community. You'd be surprised at the quality that is present in this community."

Friendship has made extensive renovations over the years and has an eye on growing in the future.

"We want to stay put," he said. "We're hoping for a renaissance in this community. There has to be parity. You can't just focus on one area of a community."

Countywide outreach, a variety of ministries and an open kitchen Sundays to feed anyone who wishes to eat, are some of the congregation's offerings.

Bing said wants and needs include possibly expanding and renovating the church's building to allow Bible study classes their own meeting area. Currently, the study groups meet inside the church wherever they can find a space, leading to overlapping conversations at times.

"We're working on it," Bing said.

Pride in their church is evident when you speak to congregation members.

Harriet Myers, 69, has been a member for more than 65 years and remembers sitting and listening to a sermon with only window fans for cooling.

More:Baptist volunteers team up with Red Cross to deliver meals to thousands

More:Christian giving to the wrong guy. Bible study group scammed

More:Appreciating traditions of other religions

"We were used to it," she said, "because we didn't have air conditioning at home either."

She said the anniversary of the church is a blessing to the members who attend each week

After intently leading a prayer study group before services Sunday, Keith Fernander, 43, said the century-plus status of Friendship is a testament to the love the members of the church have for each other.

"To be together for that length of time with the challenges and difficulties they've faced. It's the mixture of different generations," he said.

He said that combination helps by giving the younger generation the training they need to take over leadership roles.

One of those younger members, Da'rielloe Mundle, 19, said the congregation's diversity is a strength, too. 

"We make sure we cover everyone," said Mundle, who is bound for Florida State University to study early childhood education. "Every time I come to church I feel welcome."

Rev. Kenneth Burns and his wife, Deaconess Shirley Burns, said the longevity of Friendship is its strength and that translates into strength for the community.

"With everything that's going on, spiritual leadership is needed," Shirley Burns said.

"It is a beacon of hope," Kenneth Burns added. 

Connect with this reporter: MichaelBraunNP (Facebook) @MichaelBraunNP (Twitter)