Our Story

J. B. Turner, J. P. Turner, and W. P. Smith decided their community needed a church building. As members of a congregation organized in the Methodist Episcopal Church - South, each donated an equal sum of money toward the cost of a building.

Under the supervision of a young minister from Tennessee, Neil Draper, they raised the remainder of the money needed and built a church. Dedicated on June 30, 1901, the church was named Fairview, suggested by Lochie Turner Martin because, "it was so pretty sitting on top of the hill like it does." The church building stood at what is now the northeast corner of the intersection of Fairview Road and Chapel Hill Road. 

Sadly, the original church building burned to the ground in September 1940. The fire, caused by an overheated stove, occurred very early on Sunday morning before church services began. Only a few seats, the piano, and the pulpit were saved. Church services were held at Via School, just south of the church grounds, until a new building could be built.

The new building, a concrete block structure was dedicated on July 5, 1942.  This building still exists today as the Countryside Nursery School. Several years later, in 1959, another dedication service was held for a new church steeple and bell tower. Church members built the tower by working evenings and weekends.

The next decade brought another building initiative. During an extensive pledge campaign in 1967, Rosemary and Stanley Ginn donated 5.5 acres for a new church site. Construction of the new facility at our present location on Chapel Hill Road began in 1969.  The congregation and their minister, Rev. Marvin R. Pyron, worshipped in the new building for the first time in late August 1970. A consecration service was held November 1970. 

In 1979, the Spurgeon Memorial Bell Tower was added. Given in memory of Clarence and Bertha Spurgeon, the bell tower was build under the supervision of the Spurgeons' son-in-law, Willard Moreau. The structure was dedicated on June 3, 1979 by the pastor, Rev. Richard L. Combs.

The move to the new location was successful, resulting in continued growth and eventually, the addition of a new sanctuary. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new addition were held on July 11, 1982. The new sanctuary was consecrated on March 20, 1983, by Bishop W. T. Handy, Junior; District Superintendent C. Clark Leonard, and Pastor Robert Swanson.

In 1999 Fairview celebrated a century of ministry. By this time we had built a new wing of the church for fellowship, education, and administration. It was dedicated by Bishop Ann Sherer on February 14, 1999 as part of the centennial celebrations.

We know the church is not a building or a steeple, the church is the people. Over these 125 years the people of Fairview have done so much together.  Since 1899 we Fairview folks have dedicated our lives to worship, prayer, growing in the Spirit, serving our church and community, giving generously, and inviting others to be in relationship with Jesus. Then, and now, and into the future, we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbors as ourselves. Then, and now, and into the future, we are a neighborhood church where YOU can make a difference.