A special thank-you to Dorothy Baker for writing out this history on the occasion of its 125th anniversary. Watch for details as we celebrate 135 years in 2007! When you come to Fairview, take a moment to enjoy an antique Bible displayed at the back of the sanctuary. In our archives photo cupboard, enjoy the scrap book that was created to commenorate the hundredth anniversary of Fairview, and a collection of photo albums gathered over the years celebrating life and outreach at Fairview.

FAIRVIEW UNITED CHURCH
125th ANNIVERSARY  
1872-1997

The history of our church is long - dating back over 125 years. It shows the strength, endurance and patience of our forefathers in their desire to worship and obey God. Churches are built on faith, hope and love expressed in Christ. Fairview has a family life throughout its history that laid solid Christian foundations.

The congregation was first formed in 1855, according to reports in the Christian Guardian and filed in the United Church of Canada archives. It was known as Robinson's Wesleyan Methodist Church from 1855 to 1872.   Prior to the church being built, the people worshipped in a log school south of where Fairview now stands or in peoples homes.
Robinson's church was on a circuit which included Youngs’ Point, Lakefield, Selwyn and Bridgenorth. The name was changed to Fairview in 1872 because of the commanding pastoral view. By this time the circuit included Zion, Wesley and Curve Lake. Fairview continued as part of this circuit until the formation of the United Church of Canada in 1925 when it became Fairview.

The Church was built in 1372 mostly by volunteer labour. It is of red brick, 30’ x 40’ with a 16 ceiling. Eight well proportioned windows light the interior. The aisles and chancel were tastefully carpeted. The entire cost of the building amounted to a little more than $1600.00. The cost of registering the deed was $2.55 and the corner stone cost $2.50.

The opening service was held on Oct. 27th 1872. The offering for the day was 16 cents. Total collection for the year ending Dec. 31st was $20.03 but by Jan. 7th 1873, the church debt was reduced to $88.64.

In Oct. 1911, the envelope system was organized “the said fund to provide for salary, superannuation, educational contingent and general conference funds, also to provide for wood and caretaking”.

In 1900, a new church manse was built in Bridgenorth at a cost of $1,400.00. In 1914, a closed shed was built at Fairview for a cost of $600.00. It was taken down prior to the building of the present Christian Education Building. The corner stone for the C.E. Building was laid in 1968. 

In the beginning of our Church story, we are told that on Communion Sunday, our congregation met at Bridgenorth and observed communion with the Bridgenorth congregation.

Fairview was 64 years old before it had the happy distinction of having its' first wedding; when in 1939, the first bans of marriage were read.
In 1940 hydro was installed, followed later with an electrical heating system. However on Nov. 25th, 1990, a new propane heating system was dedicated. 

In 1994, looking forward to our 125th Anniversary, a restoration and re-decorating project was put in place. Through fund-raising, donations, pledges and memorials, the work began and has been completed, once again by volunteer labour. 

Music
In our worship service, music plays an important role. In the beginning, a tuning fork was used for finding the right pitch. Little did we think that our love of music would find its way to far off places. Such has been the case. Our first Reed organ was dismantled, packed in 23 suits of mens clothing and shipped to Chissamba Africa for a cost of $63.00.
Later a Lowry Electric organ was given as a memorial gift and was dedicated on March 25th 1932. A new Baldwin organ , also a memorial gift was dedicated in Sept. 1992. and as our organist and music director Glenys Reid said and I quote. “This is a big model - you can do so many things with just the press of a few buttons. It's wonderful - I never dreamed we have one like it.”

Sunday School, Youth and Adult Groups
Throughout the years many devoted men and women have given of their time and their talents to teaching Sunday School. A Cradle Roll has always been a part of Fairview. For many years our church has sponsored Cubs, Beavers, Scout, Ventures, Rovers, Brownies and Girl Guides. The equivalent of the Young Peoples Union earlier was the Epworth League which was organized in the early 1900’s.

Five candidates for the ministry have come from this community. Also there was a very active Bible Study Group. In 1978 a Seniors group known as "the Afternoon Club" was formed and met regularly on every other Wednesday afternoon. For many years the Loyal Orange Lodge #157 held their monthly meetings at Fairview.

Memorial Gifts
In 1979, a memorial fund was established. Apart from the gifts of the organs, many other gifts have been given over the years in memory of loved ones.

In our centenial year, a tree planting ceremony was observed. A beautiful flowering crab was donated and planted on May 7th 1972. However the majestic maple shade trees growing on the church property were planted by the church members in 1929.

Gifts of a baptismal font, communion set, guest book and stand, offering plates and candles, a beautiful hand stitched picture of the Lord’s Prayer and most recently the gift of the beautiful pulpit and communion table covers and many other items too numerous to mention, enhance our sanctuary. All these expressions of thoughtfulness and love are deeply appreciated by those who worship here today.

Women of the Church
Surely no history of Fairview Church would be complete without a chapter of the work of the women of our congregation past and present. The Ladies Aid was organized in 1912, which later became known as the Womens Association and in 1962 the United Church of Canada formed a new group known as the U. C. W. amalgamating the W. M. S. and the W. A.  Much has been accomplished by many loyal women over the years.
We wish we had the time to pay tribute to all those who have been a part of these organizations.

In the early years, quilt making was the activity of the day. In 1927 the year of Canada's Diamond Jubilee a quilt was made using the names of the Fathers of Confederation and was later donated to Mrs. W. D. Ross wife of the Lieutenant-Govenor of Ontario. 

Then in 1972 our centenial year, another quilt was made by the U.C.W. Area residents, church members and friends bought space for their names at 25 cents per name. Over 400 names were written on the quilt in liquid embroidery. 

The Womens Christian Temperance Union was established in 1929. A total of 19 women joined the Union and paid an annual fee of $1.00
The first Worlds Day of Prayer meeting was held in March 1932. This Service has been carried on throughout the years together with the women of Gilmour Memorial Baptist Church, Bridgenorth United and Anglican Churches, St. Martins Catholic Church and Ennismore United Church. 

Many fund-raising events have been held over the years - teas, dinners, bazzars etc. but the most significant is the Strawberry Festival which has been held each June for many, many years. The women of the church have also faithfully supported the Church Board in all their endeavours.

Closing

Unfortunately time does not permit me to mention the names of ministers, organists, choir leaders, members of the session, stewards, teachers, youth leaders, U.C.W. presidents and members at large who have devoted their lives to their God, their church and their community. But because of their devotion, we can with thankful hearts, look forward to the future with and hope and courage. 

In Sept. 1986, Rev. Bill Peacock and his wife Lila and family accepted a call to Fairview. We wish to express our thanks for the guidance caring and fellowship, they have shared with our congregation and community. Also our thanks to our organist, Glenys Reid who came to us to fill in for two or three Sunday, but is still our devoted music director.

Praise be to God.

The history of Fairview United Church was written and presented to the congregation for the 125th Anniversary on Sunday October  26th 1997 by Dorothy Baker.