1866-1936

Historical Sketch of Fairview U. B. Church

Alice M. Roach, 1936

[Alice wrote this in 1936 and then sealed it in an envelope to be opened fifty years later in 1986.  This accounts for multiple copies of this document that I found.  They were created by others in the church in 1986.  There were many differences among the copies; however, the following is the original text.]

To the Superintendent of the Fairview Sunday School, 1986:

            The following is a brief historical sketch of the Fairview U. B. Church and Sunday School as compiled by Alice M. Roach, August 1, 1936.

            Prior to the year 1870, or thereabout, the little community of Fairview or “Gibbs Settlement”, as it was then called, had no permanent place of worship.  Neither did it have a building for educational purposes.  Religious services under the leadership of a Rev. Mr. Goff were held at the home of Luman Gibbs.  Mr. Gibbs, at that time, owned all of the property in the community, hence the name “Gibbs Settlement”.

            Near 1870 some public-spirited citizens of the community started a movement for a construction of a building which could be used for both religious and educational purposes.  As a result of this movement, Strauther Edwards donated to the county a strip of land from his farm on which a small frame structure was erected.  [The Fairview School was built in 1866.  The Civil War had just ended the year before, and West Virginia had only been a state for three years.] 

            Religious services were held from time to time in this building.  As a result, many were converted and a class was formed.  Some early ministers were Tom Rhymer, A. C. Halterman, John Martin, John Hopkins, McKendra, Carter, Graham, Underwood, and others.  After a period of some years, the class was abandoned and religious worship was discontinued.

            About 1890, a Mr. Benton Yeager organized a singing school which met from time to time at the school house.  As a result, a Sunday school was organized.  One early Sunday School Superintendent was Robert Hinkle.  Sometime near 1900 John Roach, who took an active interest in the affairs of the community, became Superintendent and held that office until death which occurred in June 1923.

            Following his death the community was left without a religious leader.  After a short duration of time, Earl Roush of New Haven, who was at that time beginning his public ministry and very eager to spread the gospel, heard the call from Fairview and responded to that call.  With the help of Rev. G. W. Simpson, who was then pastor of the New Haven Charge, he [Earl Roush] held a series of meetings which resulted in many conversions.  Directly following the meeting, Sunday school was reorganized with an enrollment of 34.  Arthur Gibbs was appointed Superintendent with N. W. Roach as his assistant.  The school continued for some time in this manner after which N. W. Roach was elected Superintendent.  He was followed by Lonnie Johnson.  A weekly prayer meeting was also organized with N. W. Roach a class leader, under which capacity he served until his death which occurred Dec. 2, 1934.

            In 1935, the Sunday school had an enrollment of 60 while there were a large number of professors of the Christian faith in the community who had united with various other churches.  The Following Were Members of the Sunday School at this time:

Lonnie Johnson – Superintendent

Alice M. Roach – Youth Teacher

Alice M. Roach – Secretary-Treasurer

Stella Roach – Intermediate Teacher

Nettie Jeffers – Adult Teacher

Leona Jeffers – Primary Teacher

At this time, Rev. W. M. Slaughter, pastor of the Union Charge, who had been devoting some little time to the religious interest of the community, expressed the desire to form a class.  He felt that with organized effort much more could be accomplished.  He consulted with the District Superintendent Dr. Howard Capehart, which resulted in the formation of a class July 14, 1935.

The following Church offices were elected:

      Class Leader:        Lonnie Johnson

            Stewards:        Mrs. Nettie Jeffers

                                    Miss Alice M. Roach

Church Recorder:        Miss Ruby Edwards

They were again reappointed in 1936.

Directly following the formation of a class, a Christian Endeavor Society was organized Aug. 20, 1935.  Miss Stella Roach, President.  There were 23 charter members but the organization grew very rapidly until at the present time (1936) we have a total enrollment of 50. 

At a Quarterly Conference held at Peniel Church July 23, 1936, Rev. Slaughter appointed the following to the Board of Trustees:

Mrs. Mary Rebecca Edwards

Miss Alice M. Roach

Arthur Gibbs

Charles Powell

Lonnie Johnson

At this writing, Rev. W. M. Slaughter is still our beloved pastor, but if the Lord wills that he retire from public ministry, we hope and pray that he may be allowed to remain in our midst to act as our earthly counselor and guide in the many problems which may arise from time to time.  He fills a place in the lives and hearts of the people of our community which none other can ever fill.  To know him is to love and honor him because of his big, understanding heart and sympathetic nature.  May God be ever near him in these last days of his public ministry here on earth, and at last richly reward him in that realm beyond the skies.

[The following is a later addition to a second copy of this text found in the first book of Church Records (1939).]

In 1936, Rev. Slaughter was retired from active service, and Rev. Troy R. Brady was assigned to the pastorate of our church, serving in that capacity for three years.  The most memorable event of his ministry was the revival of March 12th - April 2nd, 1939.  Twenty bowed at the altar for conversion or rededication – several being parents.  Sunday school and prayer meeting attendance nearly double, and the community was greatly revived.