WASHINGTON COUNTY, TN - CHURCHES - History Of The Fairview Methodist Church ----¤¤¤---- From the publication, "1977-78 Pictorial Directory of Fairview United Methodist Church". The Fairview United Methodist Church stands amid a picturesque and historic spot in Washington County, Tennessee, just off the old Stage Road on Highway 81; four miles west of the oldest town and county seat of Jonesboro, and one mile from the oldest village of Leesburg. The grounds are adjacent to the cemetery of seven acres, and also to the little Quaker Church. This cemetery is richly tinged with the past - reminiscent of another century. Used as a burial ground since 1790, it is here that two Revolutionary soldiers, LeRoy Taylor and David Akers are buried, as well as a number of Civil War Veterans, and veterans of all wars, including Vietnam. It was in this little Quaker Church, then known as Maple Grove, that as early as 1898, the few people of Fairview and surrounding settlements begin to talk of building a church. Meetings were held there whenever a preacher was available. Also Sunday School was organized and well attended. Later on, in 1908, a Methodist preacher, Rev. Richard Walker was invited to preach. Sixteen men and women were converted, and felt the need of a church where they could worship together. There were no dwelling houses in Fairview (so named in 1880) at that time. Only three buildings, the Quaker Church, the Schoolhouse, and the store. A meeting was called; ten men met at the store to make plans. Two questions came up--'Where do we acquire the land?', 'What do we expect to use for money?' These problems were taken care of in the following ways: Mr. J. W. Smith said that he would sell an acre north of the Quaker Church for $35.00. In due time the deed to the property was written and made to a board of trustees and their successors. The first trustees of the church were: J. W. Smith J. D. Droke Fuller Shipley Floyd Taylor Arthur Campbell The building committee consisted of the above named trustees, with the following added: R. C. Goebel John T. Bacon James Sellars Therefore the Fairview Methodist Church was organized under the leadership of Rev. Walker in 1908. Prior to the construction, many interested citizens in the surrounding communities donated choice trees, and every man capable of swinging an axe took to the woods, and without charge; by the sweat of their brow, begin to fell and ready the trees to be taken to the sawmill by horse teams. While the logging, hauling, sawing and seasoning of lumber was going on, the following paper was being taken around for signatures: We the undersigned do hereby agree and bind ourselves to contribute the amount set opposite our name for the purpose of erecting a Methodist Church at Fairview in Washington County, Tennessee. The church is to be opened to the public for all funeral occasions. two pledged $75.00 two " 50.00 two " 25.00 one " 10.00 one " 5.00 one pledged 3.00 three " 2.00 four " 1.00 five " .50 twenty-one pledged .25 five pledged .10 ------- $335.25 Others contributed ten and twenty-five cents worth of nails, while others gave free labor. Finally, the construction of the building was begun in August, 1908. Floyd Taylor, then a citizen of our community, and one of the leaders in organizing the church was the designer of the building and also the overseer of the construction. Most of the carpenters lived at Sulphur Springs, and as it was considered too long a trip for them to go to their homes at night and return the next morning, they were given free board in the homes in the community, staying 2 weeks in each home. They were paid $1.00 per day. By the first Sunday in December, 1908, the construction was far enough along that Brother Walker preached the first sermon. He became the first pastor at the salary of $65.00 per year. The material for the first seats came from the woodland of Mrs. Virda Bacon, who also donated some of the lumber in the building. The seats were made by Mr. Jerry Jones, and remained in the church until 1959 when they were replaced by new pews. A few of these old seats are still used in the Fellowship Hall, while some are stored in the Little Quaker Church. Others were bought by the members. Many people gave as much as thirty days free labor. Even the young people of that day did their bit, for at midday they could be seen trudging along the dirt road carrying their fathers' noon-time meal in a syrup bucket. There were no thermos bottles for drinks, so they just enjoyed plain water. Some members from our neighboring New Hope Brethren Church, two of which were master carpenters, gave several days of free labor. Many of their children still live around New Hope and on Stuarts Hill. The finished building was dedicated in the spring of 1909. Dr. Robinette, pastor of the First Methodist Church in Johnson City preached the dedication sermon. Dr. Robinette said that we 'cannot dedicate this church until the debt of $250.00 was paid'. Then he asked 10 people to give $10.00 each, 4 people to give 5.00 each, 2 people to give 2.50 each. They made that up, but still $25.00 lacking. He then asked for 25 people to give $1.00 each. There were dollar bills waving here and there over the church, and when it was counted, there was $26.00. He pointed his finger toward the back of the church and said, "Yonder is a cracked lamp bowl; go buy a new one and we will dedicate this beautiful church." So on that date it was dedicated as the Fairview Methodist Episcopal Church. Sunday School was organized with Floyd Taylor as first Superintendent. J. W. (Jim) Smith, a charter member, was an enthusiastic Sunday School teacher of the intermediate class. To pay for the literature, each member was to pay a penny each Sunday. He would reach in his pocket and provide pennies for those who didn't have them. Mr. J. Horace Smith, another charter member, served as Superintendent and teacher longer than any one else and had an almost perfect attendance from the day Sunday School was organized until his last sickness and death on January 2, 1974. His influence is still felt deeply at all church functions. Sometime about 1921, the Epworth League (now known as the UMYF) was organized under the leadership of Mr. and Mrs. Hannabas, and from then to the present time, the young people have taken an active part in all church affairs. When the church was organized, the membership was small. The church has had periods in which its membership declined due to death and members moving to other states and locations. The church was first temporarily assigned to the Telford Charge, but a short time later was transferred to the Sulphur Springs, where it remained until the unification of Methodist people. It was again placed on the Telford Charge, later on the Clear Springs Circuit, then again to Sulphur Springs, then for a short time on the Gray Charge. At present, we are on the charge with Marvin's Chapel United Methodist Church and share their parsonage. The bell, weighing 700 lbs. was purchased for $40.00 with money raised by small donations. Miss Nola Keys, who was in Iowa at this time raised $11.00 of this from Tennesseans living around Iowa City. For a short time the bell was tolled at a death in the community; later on this custom was discontinued. The clock that now hangs on the wall was purchased for $4.00, by Mrs. Nancy Etta Smith Bowman and donated to the church about the year of 1920, and now after all this time, it continues to tick away in her memory. The spire was made, but it seemed that no one was brave enough to venture to the top. Finally, Floyd Taylor (a cripple) and John Moyers, then a young lad of the community, climbed to the top and placed it there where it remained until a few years ago when a windstorm blew it over and damaged it. The first funeral held in the church was that of Mrs. Vertie Bowman Campbell on December 16, 1908. The first church member whose funeral was conducted in the church was that of Mrs. Laura Droke Smith on March 14, 1914. We do not recall just when the organ was purchased, (around 1911—1912), but before that time, Mr. Floyd Taylor taught several free singing schools which were attended by old and young. We who were the children and young people of that day, hold dear the memory of Mr. Taylor for creating in us a desire for good music. Grace Smith Campbell was elected the first organist. The pastors who have served Fairview Methodist Church are as follows: Rev. Richard E. Walker M. C. Phillippi Samuel G. Ketron T. B. McEacherin Albert C. Ketron James C. Henry N. A. Newman 0. C. Wright L. B. Clark Sterling Turner, Jr. S. A. Hopper Roy Scroggins E. G. Gillespie A. E. Wikle D. L. Howell John S. Deck W. H. Johnson M. C. Weikel I. G. Crowder Buford Hankins Harold G. Harris Jack Mosier Guy M. Fleenor Robert Frost George W. Atkinson David Warden The first ten pastors lived in the Parsonage at Sulphur Springs. They kept their own horse to ride, to fill their appointments and visit their members. Our fifth pastor, L. B. Clark in his last year in this pastorate, 1921, was the first one to own a car. Before this time, he pastured his horse on the Sulphur Springs Campground. Surely these dedicated pastors must have at times gone hungry for they were not always paid in cash. If a quarter or so was found in the collection, it was considered good. One of the early pastors, Rev. N. A. Newman kept a few hound dogs at the parsonage, for, to him, hunting was a great sport. This of course, annoyed some of his flock. The prolonged barking of the hounds in a chase they could endure, but dropping money in the hat that might be used to feed them was something else. Two members were appointed to ask him about it. He replied, "You pay me my salary, and I will feed my dogs." These two men came away loving Rev. Newman all the more, for they found that preachers must have some rest and recreation, too. A Revival Meeting was what we all looked forward to. It lasted two weeks or longer. This was a time for preaching and singing and shouting, choruses of amens and rejoicing in fellowship. A preacher from another church would come and assist the pastor, the two of which would run Satan completely out of the community or so it seemed - but come the next revival a year hence, there was Old Lucifer right back and perhaps with his horns grown somewhat longer. Services were held twice daily, morning and night and were always well attended. Those living within 4 or 5 miles walked and carried their lanterns. They came in groups of 15 or 20. Others rode horseback and on Sunday, there were usually a few buggies and sometimes a surrey or hack could be seen. The horses or mules were hitched to the hitching posts on either side of the Quaker Church. At the close of the revival, the pastor was pounded; meaning that everybody gave him a pound or more of food, which consisted mostly of flour, meal, dried beans, turnips, and if in summer, garden vegetables. His helper received the few dollars collected in the hat. Rev. D. L. Howell organized the first Ladies Aid Society on April 28, 1928. Officers were as follows: President Mrs. Roxie Campbell Vice—President Mrs. Kate Droke Secretary Mrs. Hazel Williams Assist. Secretary Martha Campbell Mrs. Reuben Graybeal Devotions Mrs. J. W. Smith Miss Annie Archer In the year 1948, Sunday School rooms consisting of two basement rooms and four others were constructed and an oil furnace installed. In 1959, the sanctuary was redecorated, and new pulpit furnishings, Celotex ceilings, walls and new carpet added. Also 5 additional church school rooms, a fellowship hall, kitchen and two bathrooms were built. The first electric organ was bought in 1958, and the second in 1976. Also, a new Everett Piano was donated anonymously to the church in 1975. Twenty—five pastors have served our church. There are now 10 living members who have had the privilege of worshipping with all these pastors. Mrs. Geneva Fulkerson is the only living charter member, and her sister Miss Nola Keys is the oldest living member. During the years of the existence of the Fairview Church, it has meant much to the people of the community. We are proud of the church here. Let us cooperate with our pastor and be loyal members, giving our time, our money, and our talent, that God may be glorified and men saved. NOTE: With love and Appreciation to Julia Keebler in preparing the history! ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Mike DeLoach javan@deloach.org ___________________________________________________________________