OUR HISTORY
Look How Far We've Come
More than six decades of faith, sacrifice, service, and a church family committed to following where God leads.
Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church • Established March 2, 1959
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
From a Living Room to a Church Family
Fellowship’s Riverside Drive location, pre-1972
On March 2, 1959, approximately 35 believers gathered in the home of Bro. and Sis. Joseph and Florence Napoleon. Under the leadership of Rev. Vernon J. Lawhorn, Fellowship Baptist Church was born.
In the years that followed, the growing congregation worshiped in several temporary locations throughout Albuquerque—including Broadway, Carpenters Hall on Coal, Arno, and Riverside Drive—before establishing a permanent church home on Miles Road.
BUILT BY FAITH
A Church Built by Its People
As Fellowship continued to grow, its members did more than support the ministry—they helped build it with their own hands. Members erected framing, hung sheetrock, painted, laid carpet, landscaped, and gave sacrificially to establish a permanent church home.
Their commitment extended beyond construction. Members stepped in to help cover utilities, insurance, music ministry, and other needs of the church—each contribution reflecting a shared belief in what Fellowship was becoming.
“They didn't simply build a building. They built a church family.”
OUR JOURNEY
Milestones of Faith
From a small gathering in 1959 to a ministry reaching beyond Albuquerque, each chapter reflects the faith, sacrifice, and vision of the Fellowship family.
1959
Fellowship Is Born
Approximately 35 believers gathered in the home of Bro. and Sis. Joseph and Florence Napoleon, and Fellowship Baptist Church began under the leadership of Rev. Vernon J. Lawhorn.
1972
A Home on Miles Road
Fellowship dedicated its permanent church home at 2418 Miles Road SE. Members helped construct the facility themselves—framing, hanging sheet rock, painting, laying carpet, and landscaping.
1992-1993
Room to Grow
ellowship voted to sell its Miles Road property and soon moved to 515 Ash SE—a facility more than twice the size of its previous home. Within only eight months of the move, the church celebrated the burning of its mortgage.
1994
A New Season of Leadership
Fellowship called Rev. Dennis G. Dunn to pastor the congregation, beginning a season of significant growth, expanded ministry, and renewed vision for the church’s future.
1995-2000
Catch the Vision
As Fellowship continued to grow, the church launched its Capital Stewardship Ministry, assessed future ministry needs, searched for land on Albuquerque’s west side, and purchased two acres in 1999. By March 2000, the Seeds of Faith pledge drive had reached its goals and construction of a new church home began.
2002
The Great Exodus
In September 2002, Fellowship celebrated its “Great Exodus” with a jubilant caravan across Albuquerque—from Ash Street to its newly constructed church home at 8550 Saul Bell Road NW. Hundreds of members and guests gathered for the grand opening and first service.
2003
Faith Through Education
Fellowship opened First Fruits Christian Academy, extending its ministry through Christian education for children in the church and surrounding community. The school initially served students from Kindergarten through third grade.
2007
Expanding the Vision
The Family Life Worship Center opened in March 2007, expanding Fellowship with new classrooms and school facilities, meeting spaces, a commercial kitchen, and a spacious gymnasium designed to serve both the church family and community.