HISTORY OF FAIRVIEW BAPTIST CHURCH
1912 - 1945

Reprinted from booklet commemorating Dedication of the Church

Published by
THE LEAD BELT NEWS
Flat River, St. Francois Co. MO
Fri. November 2, 1945

"I was glad when they said unto me,
Let us go into the house of the Lord." Psalms 122:1

LEST WE FORGET

OUR BOYS WHO HAVE ANSWERED THE CALL
OF OUR COUNTRY
FROM OUR CHURCH AND COMMUNITY

WORLD WAR I

W. L. McDowell
Claude K. Mitchell
H. E. Sigman
Lon Thurman

WORLD WAR II

Marvin Cunningham
Theodore Forsythe
Gerald Holmes
Fred Hubbard
Lee Kerlagon
Mardoni Mitchell
"Mickey" Mitchell
Eugene Morris
Melvin Morris
William Morris
James Pinkston
Lee Pinkston
Shelton Pinkston
Gene Smith
Linn Thurman

TO
MR. AND MRS. C. R. ARCHER
This Little Booklet Is
Lovingly Dedicated

CHAPTER ONE

INTERDENOMINATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL

"Other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours." John 4:38

In the year 1912 several families, in what is now the Fairview community, met at the Scott School and organized a Sunday School.

At that time there were no hard surfaced roads in this part of the country and during the winter months roads were almost impassable. Sunday Schools at the neighboring churches were discontinued from Christmas until Easter each year and even when road conditions were good the distance of four or five miles to the neighboring churches was a long way when farm-wagon and horseback were the chief ways of travel. Consequently children in this community were unable to attend Sunday School regularly and many never attended at all.

Therefore, the parents who wanted a Sunday School in walking distance for their children decided to meet at the school house; lay aside all little "denominational differences" (because almost every family belonged to a different church) and to teach God's Word to the boys and girls of the neighborhood.

Sunday School was held on Sunday afternoons so that when the weather permitted everyone could attend services at the neighboring churches. Too, the ministers and friends from the surrounding churches often came to Scott School to help and encourage those who carried on the work there. Mr. J. F. Holmes served as superintendent. And almost every child in the community enjoyed attending.

However, opposition arose to the use of the school house for public services; and in about a year the building was voted closed to public meetings. Sunday School had to be discontinued. The leaders were of course disappointed, because they felt the work was sadly needed, and their efforts were being blessed. So a few years later when Mr. W. S. Stinson, a Presbyterian Sunday School Missionary, offered to help build a mission chapel in the community they co-operated readily, and much work and money were donated, as well as the land for the building.

The old Jay Dee store building was bought and the lumber used in the chapel.

On Easter Sunday 1917, the first services were held in the little Sunday School chapel which had been named "Fairview." C. R. Archer served as superintendent and the teachers were Mrs. Wm. Holmes, Mrs. J. D. Chapman, Mrs. J. F. Holmes, Mrs. Grace Danielly, Mrs. C. R. Archer, and W. J. Mitchell.

Bible memory work was stressed; and the reciting of a verse of scripture by each one present every Sunday soon became an established custom, which is still practiced at Fairview. On one occasion at a neighboring church, the remark was made, "You can tell the Fairview crowd, because they know so much scripture." Fairview folks are justly proud of such a reputation; and many men and women in this community still treasure small Service Men's Testaments, souvenirs of World War I, which they earned as rewards for memorizing scripture when they were children of Fairview.

In order to help support the chapel, the ladies of the community organized the Fairview Ladies Aid, which met each Thursday afternoon in the chapel basement. These ladies quilted, gave dinners, and festivals to raise money to buy seats, an organ, and later a piano for the church. They also bought fuel, paid insurance, kept the chapel in repair, had the cistern dug, bought Christmas treat, helped unfortunate families in the community, sewed for the Red Cross in World War I, contributed to Farmington Orphan's Home, helped pay the tuition at Will Mayfield College for a Fairview boy, Olen Boyd, who entered the ministry, as well as helping to pay ministers' salaries after the church was organized.

Mrs. Alice Chapman served as president of the Ladies Aid during its entire existence and these ladies who worked together so long loved each other as sisters.

The "Aid" was continued for approximately twenty-five years, and these faithful women (many of whom have already heard the Master say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant") deserve much credit for the success of the church at Fairview. Four years ago, the attractive class rooms in the church basement were furnished in their memory.

One Fairview Sunday School boy, Olen Boyd, is now successfully preaching the Gospel in Kansas. Before entering the ministry he was superintendent of Fairview Sunday School several years. Many other Fairview boys and girls are outstanding workers in churches in our neighboring towns and county. Also many of the most faithful members of the Fairview church today "grew up" in the Sunday School there.

CHAPTER TWO

CHURCH ORGANIZED

"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase." I Cor. 3:6

As the years went by several families moved from the community. Most of the younger people found jobs in the city, or neighboring towns. Some of the older people passed away, others, because of failing health were unable to carry on the work as they once had done. The outlook for Fairview was disheartening. Then during 1930-33 several younger families moved back into the community. These, with the faithful few who were left at Fairview, revived the work. Frank Thompson was elected Sunday School Superintendent, and W. J. Mitchell, Mrs. M. M. Hubbard and Miss Margaret Archer were teachers. Sunday School progressed nicely for about a year.

During that year a revival meeting was held on the chapel grounds by Rev. C. F. Recklein of St. Louis. Because the building was too small, a brush arbor was used; and the meeting was quite successful.

At the close of the meeting it was decided to organize a Baptist church, and purchase the chapel building. C. R. Archer and Frank Thompson arranged for the purchase of the building from the Presbyterian Mission Board for $200. Money was borrowed and with the assistance of Rev. Recklein, and Rev. Ragsdale, pastor of the Bonne Terre Baptist Church, the church was organized on Aug. 19, 1934 with only ten members but with many friends. Rev. Harold Covington of Bonne Terre served the church 1934-35 as its first pastor.

Frank Thompson continued as Sunday School Superintendent, and for some time bought the literature himself. The Sunday School enrollment was approximately 30. Average attendance 25.

The little church grew slowly. The debt was paid in two years. Festivals and dinners were given to help raise money, and as many "friends of the church" worked and contributed as did the members themselves. Other pastors who served the church were Rev. J. B. Cash 1935-37 and Rev. Thomas Barton 1937-38.

Discouraging days came for the little church. In the next few years, more than half the Charter Members moved from the community. Death took two members. The outlook for the little church was doubtful. But with a church, as with an individual, the value of true friends can not be estimated. For the same people who had worked and prayed for the little Interdenominational Sunday School said, "It is up to us to help those who have now shouldered God's work in our community."

During this time Bert Turley was Sunday School superintendent for approximately ten years. Bert's faithfulness, as well as his ability to make friends and to show his appreciation of friends was a great help to the Sunday School and the church as well.

In August, 1938, the church extended a call to Rev. Ben Barber of Fredericktown, and he has been unanimously re-elected each succeeding year since. Both Bro. Barber and his wife united with the Fairview church and are both dearly loved by the entire church and community as well.

In July 1941, Fairview church, as well as the entire community, suffered a great loss in the death of Jess Turley. Although they knew Our Heavenly Father makes no mistakes, no one could understand why a man who was doing so much, and was so loved by everyone, and who was so badly needed, should be taken. Perhaps they depended on him too much.

After his death others did more than they had done before; and the little church he had loved, continued to grow.

On Easter Sunday, 1942, twenty-five years after the first service was held in Fairview Chapel, the neighboring churches selected Fairview as the site for the Union Easter Sunday Service, which has been well attended each year since. This, it seems, is a very fitting memorial to the little Interdenominational Sunday School which grew into the Fairview church, of which the entire community, today, is proud.

IN MEMORIAM

Mrs. John Aulsbury
Mr. J. D. Chapman
Mrs. J. D. Chapman
Mrs. Grace Danielly
Mrs. J. F. Holmes
Mr. M. M. Hubbard
Mr. Sidney Mitchell
Mrs. Jennie Sigman
Mrs. Henry Smith
Mr. Jess Turley

CHAPTER THREE

OUR NEW CHURCH

"For we are labourers together with God." I Cor. 3:9

Under the leadership of the present pastor, Bro. Barber, Fairview continued to grow. Many new members were added to the church. Some of them being tithers, the church and Sunday School offerings were remarkably large for so small a church. As has been said before, the building which had been built for a Sunday School chapel was much too small for a church, therefore, plans were made to enlarge the building as soon as the church had saved $500. This was done by the fall of 1943 and it was decided to begin the work. W. L. McDowell, K. V. Byington, and Leo Forsythe were appointed as the building committee, and Bro. Barber, who as well as being a splendid pastor, was an able carpenter, was employed to do the work. Before the work was began, however, it was decided to tear down the old building and put up a new one.

In the spring of 1944, the Frank Thompson family moved back into the community, and Frank, also being a skilled carpenter, was employed to work on the building. Probably no other church has ever been built with the pastor and Sunday School superintendent as the carpenters, and probably no other church was ever built with as little friction and as much good fellowship. In spite of the shortage, and high cost of materials, the building committee and carpenters did a very commendable job in securing what was needed as cheaply as possible. As mentioned before only two carpenters were hired; the rest of the work was donated. And although every man in the church was working long hours on his farm, in the mines, or elsewhere, many hours of work were donated. Some who could not work during the day, worked evenings. The ladies did their part, too, and often served lunch to the men who worked. Not only did the members of the church work, but the Sunday School boys, and friends of the church as well, donated work and money generously.

The building was constructed of rough pine lumber, covered inside with celotex and outside with white asbestos shingles. Finished with blue composition roof and hard wood floors, it makes a beautiful little church. Its total cost was $3000, and this entire amount was paid with the regular church offerings and unsolicited donations during the time the building was under construction.

The church was finished late in the summer of 1945; and Sunday October 28, 1945 was set as the date for its dedication.

Services were held regularly while the building was under construction; and new members were added. There was a corresponding growth in the Sunday School. In March 1945 Rev. Owen Fisher of St. Louis conducted a revival meeting in the new church. There were 23 conversions, and 21 additions to the church. On Easter Sunday, 1945, Bro. Barber baptized 18 new members. Most of them Sunday School boys and girls. God was richly blessing the efforts of those who were so faithfully working at Fairview.

In March, 1945, the Sunday School presented W. J. Mitchell with a lovely Bible on his 78th birthday in appreciation of his many years of service to Fairview. He has taught the Bible Class there for more than 20 years. He also helped in organizing the church and serves it as deacon.

Time nor space does not permit the mention of the many workers at Fairview who are indeed deserving. But this little booklet would not be complete without the mention of the splendid work Mr. and Mrs. W. L. McDowell have done, and are continuing to do, with our young people. Both being talented musicians they have done much to interest our young folk in the song service of church and Sunday School; as well as arranging many social activities for them. Mr. McDowell has taught the young people's class for several years and many of our splendid Christian boys and girls were led to Christ by his teaching and his example.

Fairview also takes pride in the knowledge that we have given our tithe to our nation in the terrible war which has just ended. More than one-tenth of our members are in the service and have done their part for the preservation of the things we hold sacred. May we try to keep faith with them by working and praying that Christ may live in this community and a lasting peace may reign throughout the world.

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP ROLL

DEDICATION PROGRAM
OF
FAIRVIEW BAPTIST CHURCH

OCTOBER 28, 1945

"Except the Lord build the house,
they labour in vain that build it." -- Psalms 127:1

10:00 -- Sunday School
11:00 -- Morning Service
Song ----- Congregation
Prayer
Duet ----- Ralph and Velma Turley
Scripture Reading
Trio ----- Millie Marie McDowell
Betty Jo McDowell
J. T. McDowell
Offering
Solo ----- Mrs. Geo. Seagel
Sermon ----- Rev. Barber
Song ----- Congregation
Talks by Visitors
Benediction
12:00 -- Basket Dinner
1:30 -- Song ----- Congregation
Prayer
Welcome Address ----- Rev. Barber
Response ----- Rev. Shell
Duet ----- Millie Marie and Betty Jo McDowell
Children's Chorus and Scripture Drill
Duet ----- Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey
Talks by Visitors
Offering
Sermon ----- Rev. Owen Fisher
Song ----- God Bless America
Benediction

There were a lot of photographs with captions which were published along with the above article which have not yet been scanned.  Here is a list of those photos.  

1) Church
2) Scott School House
3) Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Holmes
4) Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Archer
5) Rev. Olen Boyd
6) Sunday School Chapel
7) Frank Thompson
8) Bert Turley
9) Willing Workers Class (Adults) W. J. Mitchell, Teacher (group picture
with everyone identified in the caption)
10) Mr. Jess Turley
11) Mrs. Ben Barber
12) Rev. Ben Barber
13) Charter Members (group picture, everyone identified)
14) Membership at End of Three Years (group picture, no one identified)
15) Church Officers (group picture, everyone identified)
16) Sunshine Class (Primary) - (group picture, everyone identified)
17) Bible Learners Class (Juniors) - group picture, everyone identified)
18) Golden Rule Class (Intermediate) - (group picture, everyone identified)
19) Gleaners Class (Young People) - group picture, everyone identified)

FAIRVIEW DEDICATES CHURCH SUNDAY
Published by the LEAD BELT NEWS, Flat River, St. Francois Co. MO,
Fri. Oct. 26, 1945.

The Fairview Baptist Church members will dedicate their new church building this Sunday with afternoon services starting at 1:30 p.m. Plans for the new church were begun in 1943 and it was finished late this summer.

Beginning in 1912 as an inter-denominational Sunday School, the Fairview congregation, now numbering around 100 members, outgrew its old chapel. Under the direction of Rev. Ben Barber, the present pastor, the new building was built and completely paid for.

Following the morning worship services at 11, a basket dinner will take place at the church. At the dedication services Rev. Owen Fisher of St. Louis will be the speaker. Rev. R. L. Shell of Desloge will give the response to the welcoming of visitors. Special duets will feature the program.