A Non-Denominational Independent Evangelical Church
All are welcome to visit at any of the following Worship Services:
Thursday Night Prayer Meeting 7:00 PM
Sunday School for all ages 9:00 AM - Worship Service: 10:30 AM
Sunday Evening Bible Study 7:00 PM (1931), "The Fairview Church which dates to about the middle of the 1800s, from the fruits of the efforts of early circuit preachers of the Orbi
sonia Circuit of the United Brethren in Christ Church, from which was erected the Three Springs Circuit, Services were held at Meadow Green Church on alternate Sundays. In 1887, families in the Fairview area attended church at Meadow Green or Cornelius Chapel. During a revival, sanctification was preached and there was a split in the Meadow Green Church, and the ones who left built the Fairview Church, holding to the position of holiness. The Fairview group decided to leave and unite with another church in agreement with their beliefs. At that time, the Allegheny Conference of the United Brethren in Christ had churches located at Three Springs and Cassville, so pastors were available. Their application for a church in the conference was accepted. John B. Moreland, who helped organize the Meadow Green Church, donated the land for the Fairview Church and cemetery in the spring of 1888. Mary, his wife, selected the exact spot for the church and construction soon began until the building was dedicated in September 1888, the new congregation held meetings in the building known as "The Shanty” which was a long dormitory-type structure built by William Bradley, Sr., to house workers during the construction of the East Broad Top Railroad. "The Shanty" was located across the road from the present residence of Earl Gingrich. The first mention of the church appeared in the Allegheny Conference records in 1889; Rev. Summers was pastor. William Bradley, who sang by note, was the choir director. Jesse Chilcoate bought an organ in Altoona for $20.00, It was delivered when the East Broad Top Railroad train stopped at the crossing below the church around 1905. Sylvia Bradley played the organ. The first song played in the new church was "Work for the Night is Coming” She also collected money to pay for the organ by walking over to Jacobs and asking miners for donations. Two of the most prominent citizens of Saltillo attended Fairview Church. Henry Hudson, who laid out the town of Saltillo, and J. Brewster, who owned the store. John Drake, last of the old school masters, also attended. Records going back to the 1920s and 1930s indicate that the Fairview Church was included on a four-point charge with Oak Grove, Latta Grove, and Three Springs. Later, perhaps in the 1930s, Mt. Carmel and Wells Valley may have been part of the charge. With the forming of the Evangelical United Brethren Church in the mid-1940s, Fairview was established on the Fulton Memorial Charge (named in memory of Dr. J. Fulton), which also included Oak Grove, Latta Grove, and Wells Valley. Under the leadership of Rev. Chauncey J. Varner, extensive remodeling was done. A new roof was put on, a vestibule and bell tower erected, a pulpit recess constructed, and the platform was rebuilt. A new ceiling was installed, and the church was wired for electricity. In the 1950s, The Tabernacle was erected to replace the "Restaurant" in promoting the church festivals and the annual homecoming. During the yoke pastorate of Revs. Rupert and Gertrude Halliwell, the dedication of a new asphalt tile floor, new carpet, new offering plates, revarnished furniture, redecorated walls, and the ceiling was completed. The bulletin from the Conference News dated September 1952, stated that this remodeling "makes this one of our finest rural churches”
In the late 1960s, after the union with the Methodist Church took place, Fairview negotiated a satisfactory and peaceful separation from the newly formed United Methodist Church. A new era for the Fairview Church was about to begin as they applied for and received acceptance into the Evangelical Church of North America, which was officially granted on October 24, 1970. Incorporation papers were completed on August 30, 1973. Since being with the Evangelical Church, the following has occurred. A new Educational Unit was added to the church along with remodeling of the sanctuary during the years of 1972-1974. The Parsonage was built, and dedication was held on August 24, 1975. The Utility Building was erected on October 12, 1982. The kitchen in the Tabernacle was enlarged, footers were put in place to add strength to the Tabernacle and a permanent ramp was installed within recent years at both the front and rear of the church building. In January 2021, The Fairview Evangelical Church of North America, Inc. harmoniously severed its relationship with the Evangelical Church Denomination after almost 50 years. On May 13, 2021, the Church was reorganized as a Non-denominational Independent Church. The Corporation name was then changed to Fairview Church, Inc., the organizational and belief structure was adopted and will continue to be based on Wesleyan Doctrine. FAIRVIEW CHURCH CORE VALUES AND BELIEFS:
Fairview Church believes in one God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and the Savior of all men and women who put their faith in Him alone for eternal life. We believe that those who receive new life in Christ are called to be holy in character and conduct and can only live this way by being filled with the Lord’s Spirit. We believe in the Bible and seek to establish our faith and actions on its teaching. We believe God’s will for people everywhere to know Him and that the purpose of the Church is to tell the world about Christ through its worship, witness, and loving deeds.
