History of the Fairview Community Church
In 1869, there was no church in the Fairview Community. Located in
Flinn Township, 10 miles east of Bedford, Indiana, Jonathan T. Hobson
(son of Mr. & Mrs. John W. Hobson) was teaching school in the Fairview
schoolhouse (which was built in 1855). The Hobsons saw the need for a
Church in this community. So Rev. Jacob White, pastor of the Freetown
United Brethren Church in Jackson County, was asked to come down and
hold a meeting in the schoolhouse. The first service was held on
Friday night, December 24, 1869. Text was read from Matthew 10:38.
Few night services were held, with morning prayer meeting in the home
of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Hobson.
Sunday, December 26, 1869, they held an all day service, with a "Love
Feast Dinner" at noon. On Wednesday, December 29, they had a class of
26 members, these formed the Charter Members of the Fairview U.B.
Church. They are Jonathan Hobson, John W. Hobson and wife Jane,
Samuel Hobson, William Hobson, Janie Hobson, Mary Hobson, Jessie
Kirby and wife Mary, Thomas Todd and wife Elizabeth, Jonathan Todd,
Henry Todd, Selevester L. Todd, Benjamin Keithly and wife Susan, Mary
Keithley, Andrew Speer and wife Decy, A. W. Speer, Nancy Flinn, S. A.
Flinn, George Goff, Fannie Utterback, Mary Ellison and Martha Ellison.
These members were eager for a church, so plans were made for a
building. John W. Hobson owned the ground just west of the
schoolhouse. So he and his wife set off 1 acre for the church and ½
acre for the cemetery. Jacob (Footie) Flinn and his son James
(Puckett) Flinn were to oversee the carpenter work.
Their new church was ready for service in 1871 after 2 years of hard
work. But wasn't dedicated until November 24, 1872 with Rev. Daniel
Schuck officiating. His text Psalm 145:11 "They shall speak of thy
glory of thy kingdom and talk of thy power."
Mr. and Mrs. John W. Hobson had 6 sons and 4 daughters, all are buried
in the Fairview Cemetery. Five of these sons became United Brethren
Ministers.
In 1914, more ground was needed for the cemetery for burial
purposes. So ¾ of an acre was purchased from Stephen Fountain
on the north side.
In 1928, the schoolhouse, which was built in 1855, was abandoned for
school purposes. It was sold at auction in 1931. The church bought
the building and ground and turned it into a Church Annex and
Auxiliary room. The Annex was remodeled in 1968.
1942 - The Church was completely remodeled.
1946 - The United Brethren Conference united with the Evangelical
Conference; it was then called E.U. B.
1956 - A new Sunday School room was added.
1968 - We united with the Methodist Conference
1969 - We withdrew from the Conference. Now called Fairview Community
Church
1972 - Added 2 more Sunday School Rooms. Dedicated August 13, 1972
by Rev Fisher.
1976 - Added basement and furnace along with 4 Sunday School rooms.
Charles Hillenburg was the contractor.
2003 - Started cutting down trees in preparation for building the new
sanctuary (September 8, 2003)
2004 - Dedication of new sanctuary (February 20, 2004).
February 22, 2004 was the first service in the new sanctuary.
Contractors for the new sanctuary were Steve and Alan Beaver
(father and son), and Eddie Quearry.
History of the Fairview School
In the early 1800's, there had been three log school houses in this
community. In 1855, Flinn Township was in need of a better school
house, so William and Mary Spear, husband and wife, gave and deeded
to Flinn Township one acre of ground for a school house.
In 1869, there being no church in this community, John W. Hobson got
in touch with the Freetown United Brethren minister, Rev. Jake White,
to come down and hold a meeting in the school house. The first
meeting was held on December 24, 1869. So the school house was also
used as a church for three years, until the present church was
finished in 1871.
On the last day of school, January 31, 1880, there were 34 scholars
in the program. All 34 and their teacher, J. T. Hobson, have departed
this world.
Flinn Township High School was at Leesville, this being the first
high school in Lawrence County. In 1909, this high school burned
down, so the township held the commencement in the Spring of 1910 at
the Fairview Church. The trustee lived across the road from the
church and the school. He, being interested in Fairview, was going to
build the high school at this place. A rumor got started about what
was going to be done, so a petition was circulated and Flinn Township
was done away with in 1910 and given to Guthrie, Shawswick, and
Pleasant Run.
The school continued until 1928. Lucille Dixon taught the last year
that the building was used as a school. From 1855 to 1928, being 73
years, it served this community as a school.
It stood idle for three years; then the trustee of Guthrie Township,
Harry Thomas, sold it at auction. John D. Hobson bid it off for $140.
It was deeded to the trustees of the Fairview E.U.B. Church.
The Ladies Aide of this place has used the building as a meeting place
from 1931 to the present time.
In 1968 the building was in need of repair, so the old one-room school
house was remodeled into a beautiful church annex. Everett Turpen was
hired to do the job. The Annex was dedicated on October 19, 1968 by
Dr. Stanton, the Conference Superintendent.
From 1855 to 1977 makes 122 years the building has stood the storms.
It has served this community as a school - 73 years
As a church and school combined - 3 years
Stood idle - 3 years
As Ladies Auxiliary room - 46 years