Daytona Beach in Volusia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Greater Friendship Baptist Church

539 George W. Ingram Boulevard

— Black Heritage Trail —

Greater Friendship Baptist Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stephen Thomas White, January 7, 2026

1. Greater Friendship Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. On April 6, 1900, Reverend E. Thompson and 12 spiritual followers congregated at the home of Deacon and Sister Kromartie and formed a mainly black church from members of New Mount Zion Baptist Church. During the 1930s, the church was reconstructed to face the main thoroughfare, George W. Engram Boulevard, and a church bell that is still used today was donated by "Mother" Sarah Hunt who ran a local orphanage.

During the 1960s, the church was renovated and named Greater Friendship Baptist Church. In February 1980, the church was almost destroyed in a fire. While the congregation worshipped at Bethune-Cookman College, local churches helped raise money to repair the damage. The renovated church reopened in March 1982.

Timeline
1900 Church Forms
1930s Church was reconstructed and a church bell was donated by “Mother” Sarah Hunt
1960s Renovated and Renamed
To learn more about the Black Heritage Trail and additional locations, visit daytonabeach.gov/blackheritagetrail

Soul Of A Community/Light Of A Nation

Erected by City of Daytona Beach and the Department of State, Division of Historical Resources.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is April 6, 1900.

Location. 29° 12.981′ N, 81° 1.834′ W. Marker is in Daytona Beach, Florida, in Volusia County. It is at the intersection of George W Engram Boulevard and Laura Street, on the right when traveling south on George W Engram Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 539 George W Engram Boulevard, Daytona Beach FL 32114, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in First Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally,

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it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

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: Home of Mary McLeod Bethune (approx. 0.2 miles away); Stewart Memorial Methodist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Campbell Hotel (approx. ¼ mile away); Dr. Mary Bethune (approx. ¼ mile away); Francis R. Keyser (approx. ¼ mile away); Mary McCloud Bethune (approx. ¼ mile away); Mary McLeod Bethune Historic Home (approx. ¼ mile away); Daisy Stocking Park (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Daytona Beach.

Also see . . .
1. Greater Friendship Baptist Church. (Submitted on October 1, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia.)
2. Black Heritage Trail. (Submitted on October 1, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia.)

Photographed by Stephen Thomas White, January 7, 2026

2. Greater Friendship Baptist Church Marker

Greater Friendship Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stephen Thomas White, January 7, 2026

3. Greater Friendship Baptist Church

Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 1, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.