Ridgeview in Hickory in Catawba County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Faith & Films

Morningstar & Friendship Churches, & The Embassy Movie Theatre

Photographed by Mark Parker, December 7, 2024

1. Faith & Films Marker

Inscription. In the late 1890's, 17 people united together and organized Morning Star First Baptist Church. Through the years, the church grew in size to over 400 people, and to this day continues to have a strong membership. Friendship Missionary Baptist Church was built with 14 people in 1903. The motto of those 14 was "Together let us sweetly live, Together let us die." Addition to the churches in this area, the Embassy movie theatre, managed by the Derr Brothers, was also a staple for the community.

Erected 2024 by City of Hickory.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Entertainment • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 35° 43.63′ N, 81° 20.348′ W. Marker is in Hickory, North Carolina, in Catawba County. It is in Ridgeview. It is at the intersection of 1st Street Southwest and 4th Avenue Court Southwest, on the right when traveling south on 1st Street Southwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 410 1st St SW, Hickory NC 28602, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Historic Ridgeview Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Patterson Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Business District (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); People & Places (about 600 feet away); Mt. Pisgah Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hartzell Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named People & Places (approx. 0.2 miles away); Education & Recreation (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hickory.

Faith & Films Marker. Morningstar (left) & Friendship Churches in the background north of marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, December 7, 2024

2. Faith & Films Marker. Morningstar (left) & Friendship Churches in the background north of marker

Faith & Films Marker at intersection of 1st Street SW and 4th Avenue Ct SW image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, December 7, 2024

3. Faith & Films Marker at intersection of 1st Street SW and 4th Avenue Ct SW

Current structure of Morningstar First Baptist Church on 4th Avenue SW image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, December 7, 2024

4. Current structure of Morningstar First Baptist Church on 4th Avenue SW

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church at 1st Street and 4th Ave SW image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, December 7, 2024

5. Friendship Missionary Baptist Church at 1st Street and 4th Ave SW

Credits. This page was last revised on December 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 147 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 7, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.