Fairview History

On June 26, 1932, a group of people of the Baptist faith assembled for the purpose of making plans for a new church. Until this time, the people of the community had walked long distances to church. Rev. N.G. Inklebarger was the moderator of these meetings until a pastor was elected. Porter Needham and his wife, Oakley, gave the land for the church.

On Christmas Day, 1932, a group of baptized believers met and Brother Arthur Needham led the song, "How Firm a Foundation", and after a prayer, the first stone was laid in place and the foundation was laid.

The people of the community did the work themselves. The logs were donated, cut, sawed, and dressed in the community. They worked on the church as they had time. The ladies took dinner to the men working on the church and would sometimes lend a helping hand themselves.

There was never a cent of debt against the church, nor was the treasury ever empty. It was built as a two-story building. They even made the first seats for the church.

On Christmas Day, 1934, exactly two years later, the roof was put on the belfry. On January 20, 1935, the church was organized.

There were 40 original members with 4 deacons. They are: Porter Needham (Deacon), Arthur Needham (Deacon), Alonzo Needham (Deacon) Herman Skeen (Deacon), Omer Acuff, Georgie Boles, Pearl Booker, Maude Booker, Sallie Ann Booker, Vella Booker, Grace Booker, Drama Booker, Lee Booker, Arthur Booker, Lola Dyer, S.S. Inklebarger, N.G. Inklebarger, Clarence Inklebarger, Hobart Inklebarger, Bessie Inklebarger, Ollie Inklebarger, Ella Ruth Inklebarger, Adra Inklebarger, Eula Inklebarger, Goldie Inklebarger, Carrennar Inklebarger, Bracey Large, Willie Lee, Bert Lee, Oakley Needham, Nettie Needham, Cleo Needham, Zola Needham, Maranda Needham, Silvia Petree, Calvin Petree, Ada Skeen, Marie Skeen, W.N. Atkins, and Rena Needham.

(Of these charter members, 5 are still in the church although some are unable to be active: Ella Inklebarger Smith, Zola Needham, Marie Skeen Muncie, Goldie Inklebarger Storm, and Drama Booker.)

Although the church wasn't yet finished, the members met in the unfinished building, sitting on planks and boards while the Sunday School lessons were taught. On January 25, 1935, the building was finished.

Pastors of the Church

Rev. C.B. Cabbage was elected Pastor. On June 30, 1935, the church was dedicated. Rev. Cabbage remained at the church until September, 1937.

Rev. Worth Parker was pastor of the church from October, 1937 until January, 1938.

Re. Loy Shelton came to the church in February, 1938 and remained until June, 1955.

Rev. Royal Walton was pastor from July, 1955 until June, 1958.

Rev. Ernest Green was pastor from July, 1958 until June, 1964.

Rev. Horace Dyer was pastor from July, 1964, until June, 1969.

Rev. J.C. Morgan was pastor from July, 1970, to June, 1971.

Rev. Joe Wright was pastor from July, 1971, until June, 1976.

Rev. Gary Beeler was pastor from August 1976 until August 2006.

 Rev. Randy Beeler came in September 2007 and remains pastor today.

In November of 1989, our new sanctuary and addition were completed, and the church held a note burning and dedication service in May of 1996.

Fairview has had a far-reaching ministry, not only at our church, but many people who are currently pastoring other churches announced their call to preach and were ordained to the ministry at Fairview.  Many hundreds of souls have been saved since God inspired the original members to build the church.

God has blessed us as we have grown from the original charter membership of 40 to a current membership of more than 600.