Friendship Baptist Church began as a chapel in 1977 with a meeting at the Yankee Pedlar Inn in Torrington, Connecticut. Five families attended the initial meeting led by Tom Biles, Director of Missions for the Western Connecticut Baptist Association. The first regular meetings took place on Friday evenings in a home and were led by the pastor of Middlesex Baptist Church, Paul Plavnick. The chapel began Sunday School on Sundays in October of that year.

On January 1, 1978, Paul Plavnick became the chapel's first pastor. Services began on Sunday evenings in the building of the First Congregational Church. In March, Bible studies led by laymen began in various homes of members. The membership was 15 at this time. The first Vacation Bible School was held that summer with a mission team from First Baptist Church, Barnesville, Georgia.

The chapel began nursing home ministries in June of 1979. Vacation Bible School that summer averaged 100 in attendance with the help of Cave Spring Baptist Church of Roanoke, Virginia. In September, Pastor Plavnick resigned and Robert Hughes was called as interim pastor in December.

Morning worship services began in April 1980. Pastor Hughes helped the chapel search for a pastor. At the same time, a Sunday morning Sunday School began. Pastor Hughes resigned in October 1980 as the chapel called Kingsley S. Roberts as pastor. He began in November. The chapel now had 26 members. A sign was erected to give the chapel an identity in the community.

In February of 1982 the chapel called Laddie Pierce, from Mississippi, to be its first full-time pastor. In July the chapel voted to "constitute" as an official church. The Constitutional Service was held on September 26, 1982. The membership of the newly formed Friendship Baptist Church was 42 persons.

On February 9, 1983 a search committee was elected to locate property on which to build a permanent worship facility. The church's first Deacon Ordination Service took place on February 18, 1983. Tom Moncrief, the WCBA Director of Missions was the speaker.

In September, 1984 the church completed the purchase of 5 acres in Litchfield, Connecticut. Pastor Pierce resigned as pastor on September 30, 1984.

George Rehberg became the pastor on January 27, 1985. Various new ministries were started including Susan B. Anthony, a shelter for battered women, and at the Litchfield Correctional Center. Several home Bible studies were started in surrounding communities.

In September 1986 the church paid off the mortgage on the land purchased for a future building site. A new children's church program began in January 1986.

In early 1987 Friendship sponsored a mission in Bristol, Connecticut. Andy Estes was called as mission pastor in May. In the same month, Friendship moved out of the First Congregation Church facilities to the Litchfield High School. In the fall of that year, plans were approved for a 10,000 square foot building to be constructed by volunteers.

On March 27, 1988 ground was broken for the new building and work began on June 8. Volunteer construction crews from churches around the country worked diligently with members of the church all summer and into the fall. The new building was dedicated on October 27, 1988. Friendship doubled its paid staff by adding a church secretary. As a result, Friendship will begin sending construction missionaries every year to help others with their facilities.

A bi-weekly coffee house ministry for singles was started in July 1989. The first building team was sent out as the church joined other Baptists in erecting new church buildings. This ministry continues today with adults and teenagers going out each summer. In 1999 Friendship sent two teams for the first time.

In May 1990 the church participated in a "simultaneous revival" effort with other churches in New England. Ken Hall, pastor of Longview Baptist Church (Texas), preached. In September the church called Eugene Burrus to serve as part-time minister of music. On October 12th the deaf members of Friendship began worship services and soon became Friendship Deaf Chapel. Today, this congregation is located in Waterbury, Connecticut and is knows as Waterbury Baptist Deaf Church.

In 1991 George Rehberg resigned as pastor. Malcolm Jones, Director of Missions for WCBA served as interim pastor from April 1st to September 30th. In November, Erma Schwartz donated 10 acres of land that adjoined the current property. On December 15th, the church began to sponsor the Waterbury Baptist Ministries and Maner Tyson was called to be WBM's pastor beginning January 1, 1992.

On March 8, 1992 Friendship called Calvin Bailey full time. The summer of 1992 saw many church groups join Friendship in helping Waterbury Baptist Ministries address a variety of community needs. September 26th marked the 10th anniversary of Friendship. The church had grown steadily since the completion of the building. Pastor Bailey resigned and retired on September 30th.

On April 1, 1993 Dr. Darril Deaton became the pastor of Friendship. Average worship attendance was 123. The church grew in the next 2 years, almost doubling in membership. The number of baptisms increased from 17 a year to 51. A bi-vocational minister of education, Nathan Strahan, was called in the fall.

In 1994 an emphasis was placed on discipleship and leadership training. New Sunday School curriculum was introduced to reflect this purpose and facilitate discipleship. Classes were divided according to subject content, not simply age or gender differences. Adult classes increased. The pastor led the first Experiencing God discipleship group from which others begin to spring. Teenagers, and as many people as possible, were engaged in this new discipleship process. Today, 80% of Friendship's active members have completed this process. A part-time custodian was added in the fall of that year, bringing the paid staff, full and part-time, to 3.

In 1995 Friendship made several important decisions. Being active in nursing home, prison ministry, multi-housing complexes, deaf ministries, inner-city ministries, and other mission-oriented activities, the church called Janet Faccinto as Minister of Missions. Because of it's innovative and visionary mission strategy, the church was designated as a part of the Key Church Strategy of the Home Mission Board (now the North American Mission Board) of the Southern Baptist Convention. Friendship's membership continued to grow dramatically. In April, a second worship service was started with a contemporary/traditional blended style. The Wednesday evening program was redesigned to focus on children and teen ministries. Usually attended by a handful of adults and children, the new focus led to an average attendance around 100 or more. The church began a new outreach to the residents at McAuliffe Manor in Litchfield, a state placement facility for women. Bible studies on Thursdays and Sundays, as well as transportation to church are included in the McAuliffe ministry.

In 1996 the church continued to reach the community. A new deaf chapel was begun in Bristol. It is now incorporated into the vision of the Waterbury Baptist Deaf Church. A new Hispanic chapel was started in Winsted, and a number of other Bible studies and ministries began. The church sent its own Youth Mission Team to Vermont. Twenty-five children and adults were led to Christ. This team also worked in a key Neighborhood Bible Club at the Highwood Apartments multi-housing complex in Torrington. Kevin LeBouef was called as associate pastor.

The Western Connecticut School of Ministry, Friendship's own Seminary Extension, was started in October of 1996. Pastor Deaton was named Seminary Extension Director of the Year in 1998. The school has seen students from a Hispanic church in New Britain, a Brazilian church in Danbury, and other congregations, as well as students from Friendship.

1997 began with a number of new converts, both in missions and at the main campus of Friendship. Greatly needed remodeling of restrooms and hallways took place in the early months. A remodeling project of the worship area began that would expand the seating capacity from 200 to 300. A new ministry began at Touchstone, a residence for troubled young women. Nursing home ministries also expanded. After completing several Neighborhood Bible Clubs in Torrington, the Youth Mission Team returned to Vermont, but this time to the streets of Burlington. Kevin LeBoeuf resigned to become pastor at another New England church. Discipleship courses continued to be offered that assimilated new members into the church and helped them become mature disciples. Experiencing God, The Mind of Christ, Wise Counsel, Spiritual Gifts, MasterLife, and other needs-specific courses are offered. Robert Morzella was confirmed as the church's first Minister of Youth. Bruce Inpyn became the new associate pastor, bringing the staff to 6. In the fall, the ministry at the Highwood Apartments moved into a new phase as a weekly program for children began in a basement area renovated for Bible study, children's club, and social ministry.

In 1998 the Hispanic church in Winsted moved to Torrington in the Calvary Baptist Church building and made plans to call a pastor. The morning schedule was changed back to one service since the worship center expansion provided additional space. A weeklong evangelistic effort in Falls Village opened the door to a new mission effort that would result in a Bible study in a local home. The Youth Mission Team travels to Fall River, MA.

Recognizing its missionary strategy, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary designated Friendship in the top 3% of Southern Baptist Churches in terms of evangelistic effectiveness.

In early 1999 the last touches were put on the remodeling and expansion of the worship center. In August, Edgar Trinidad was called as Language Pastor and became the pastor of the Hispanic church, Iglesia Nueva Nacimienta Bautista, in Torrington. A joint effort with the Portuguese language church in Danbury resulted in a new Hispanic church in that city. In order to give the missions effort a greater dimension, Duane Crossman was called to the staff as Pastor of Missions. The Youth Mission Team returned to Fall River, MA for a second year of successful ministry in this inner-city area.

In mid 1999, after over a year of design and development, Friendship began one of the most innovative ministries in the world. The CyberChurch, a full-service church on the Internet, began in June. By December, The CyberChurch had over
500 members in the US and around the world. Worship services, fellowship times, a prayer ministry, media center, and most services offered by traditional churches is available. Jesus on Leadership, Experiencing God, and other discipleship processes are offered to believers online around the world. Many disabled Christians and other alienated from traditional churches find TCC a welcome point of contact. A number of people have been led to Christ through the membership application process and other evangelistic efforts. TCC requires a full-time webmaster.

In 2000 the worship attendance peaks at 300—the seating capacity of the worship area. Two Sunday Schools are started to accommodate the growing need for discipleship and Bible study space. The church is cited in a book called “High Expectations” from Broadman-Holman publishers for its innovative missions and discipleship style. Plans move ahead to construct additional facilities that would double badly needed educational and worship space.

The Hispanic church continues to grow and the deaf church locates a pastor. The Youth Mission Team travels to Huntington Beach CA to help a new church reach the community, and then it travels to Worcester, MA to conduct a day camp for an inner-city church. The Lighthouse network continues to develop as a ministry to local firemen and police develops. The multi-housing complex ministry reaches near capacity.

The seminary extension continues to train church leaders on campus. With 80% of the members having had Experiencing God, the church begins a new discipleship process called Created To Be God’s Friend. Classic Christianity is the basis for the new members training along with several other processes implemented by to develop believers.

The year 2001 was a year of growth and excitement. In January and March representatives of The Baptist Builders came to conduct planning and preparation meetings. During the spring the church conducted a capital fundraising campaign that raised $375,000 in pledges. By Easter the planning was completed. April and May the excavation work was completed and materials began to arrive. A tent was purchased and set up that could seat 200 for meals. On June 6th the foundation with all structural steel work was completed as the first teams of builders arrived.

During June, July and August the church met at the Litchfield Middle School on Sundays and under the tent on Wednesday since the whole church was in some phase of construction or remodeling. Vacation Bible School was held in the Litchfield Fire House. Missions still took place as the Youth Mission Team went to Worchester, MA and worked in the innercity.

By the end of August 90% of the work was completed and the builders finished their work. During September and October the final work was completed by members of Friendship. The church moved back into the building in September and had the dedication service on October 21st.

Attendance, that had fallen off during the summer and construction, began to rebound in the later months of the year. The annual Christmas Eve Service was held in the newly remodeled sanctuary for the first time.

In December, Rev. Duane Crossman was called as full time associate pastor. He was to begin his term of service January 1, 2002.

In 2002 Pastor Deaton celebrated nine years as pastor. New members continued to join the church, an unusual number from SBC churches from southern states. Many new believers came to know Christ and the church began a strong prayer ministry with an emphasis on Sunday evenings and a very active internet prayer ministry. Duane Crossman began his ministry as full time associate pastor.
Discipleship groups continued to develop as believers took MasterLife, Experiencing God, Sharing Jesus Without Fear and other courses. Olympians and the Youth Ministry continued to enrich the lives of many young people.

In September the church ordained Robert Morzella, the director of youth, to the gospel ministry. His new role would be Pastor of Youth and Young Adults.

In October, Friendship became the home to a satellite seminar ministry that would minister to churches of all denominations and provide live, interactive national seminars for believers and discipleship training.

The year 2003 began with a major revision of the church by-laws. In March a Welcome Center was constructed in the foyer for people visiting for the first time and to be used as a resource center for church greeters. In May a Church Leadership Seminar was held which included many group activities emphasizing team work.

In June, Denise Deaton was licensed to the ministry. She will be serving a church in Texas as Minister of Youth and Music while attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Forth Worth.

MOPS, Mothers of Preschoolers, began meeting twice a month as an outreach to mothers in the church and surrounding community. The Highwood apartments ministry became the Woodland Hills Apartment Ministry. 45 children attended the first night of activities. Friendship began a music and devotion ministry to seniors living in the Towers, a home for the elderly in Torrington, Ct., led by Spike and Agnes Brewer and Lou Faccinto.

On October 11th, “40 Days of Purpose”, a 6 week spiritual growth campaign began. Many small groups met in homes in surrounding towns.

In November Friendship participated in “Operation Christmas Child”, a project of Samaritan’s Purse. The church and others sent thousands of shoe boxes filled with items for children to Iraq.

By the end of 2003, 27 people had been baptized and the total membership stood at 337.

In 2004, the church continued to expand its many mission endeavors. Teams were sent to Canada, New York, Vermont, Cape Cod, and various towns within Connecticut. Church members belonging to Baptist Builders for Christ helped build a new sanctuary at First Baptist Church of Manchester, CT. The Woodland Hills apartments ministry expanded to include a bus ministry to bring children to church on Wednesday nights to participate in “Team Kids”. Small groups continued to meet in church family home for bible study.

During the summer Vacation Bible Schools were held at the church and at First Baptist Church, Tolland, CT, as well as conducting a children’s camp in Maniwaki, Canada.

On October 24th, 2004 Dr. Darril Deaton resigned as Senior Pastor to accept a position at Cottage Heights Baptist Church, Kaufman, Texas. Friendship called Rev. Ronald Huffman, Director of Missions for the Western Connecticut Baptist Association, to be the Interim Pastor.

In November 2004, Friendship received the Ray C. Allen award for Excellence in Evangelism and Missions at the annual meeting of the Baptist Convention of New England.

On Sunday, April 17, 2005 Friendship Baptist Church called Jeffrey L. English of Bellville, Texas to be their Pastor. Rev. English is 48, and is married to Caron English. They have two children, Aaron 12 and Sarah 9. For the last 11 years Rev. English has been pastoring churches in Texas. He is a graduate of the University of Houston and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Currently he is in his last year of study towards his DMIN at Southwestern.