Source: History of The Pan-Handle Submitted to the USGenWeb Project by: Janet Waite 1998 This information may be freely copied, but may not be copied for resale. METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH At the west end of Market street, Fairview, stands a time defaced and dilapidated brick church, which was erected in the year 1828. A half century has elapsed since its consecration took place for the worship of the true God. Among the energetic and active members of that day, who were instrumental in erecting this curch building are found the names of Henry Melvin and Jesse Cisson, who have long since departed to that realm of which they were delighted to sing and talk of. Before the church was built, services had been conducted in private houses, prominent among them appears a Mr. Dougherty and Mr. Nathan Thayer. Only about ten families composed the congregation. Little is known of the Methodist history back of the date mentioned. There is, at present, only one person surviving, and still a resident of Fairview, that was a member when the building was dedicated - Mrs. James Melvin. The original class-leaders were Henry Melvin and Jesse Cisson. The early ministers who supplied them with the preaching of God's Word, were the Revs. George Brown, John Clark, John Cowl, and others whose names cannot be obtained. The earliest record that is extant carries the author back to October 27, 1849, and here is found the name of Rev. W. Reeves and the officers of the church: Stewarts, Andrew Halstead and Dennis S. Bernard; trustees, John Sutton, Samuel Reed, Dillon Hodgson, James Melvin, Hanson Hobbs and John Brown. The leaders in the year 1850 were John Milligan and D. W. Estill. Its last quarterly conference was held November 16, 1878. Owing to the removal of a large majority of its members by death, and otherwise, from time to time, and the church building giving out - not considered at all safe to meet in, the organization is here fast dying. Unless active movements are soon brought into requisition, death will be written above its door. To-day the congregation's history for numerical strength reminds them of its history of 1828. It is thought by some, however, that a new building will soon replace the old one, and certainly the remaining members are not so lethargic in the cause of Methodism as to permit it to die in Fairview, at the age of little over a half century. It is too good to die so young.