Fairview Missionary Baptist Church
also known as Fairview FreeWill Baptist Church, Fairview Baptist Church, 
1625 Piketon Road, Lucasville, OH

Information from the writings of Lucy Bishop, Cliff & Minnie Kent, Frank Coles & Church records.  Supplied by Angie Roberts. 

During the winter of 1879 and 1880, Rev. David Gow at the age of twenty years, held a revival in the Fairview School House where he had attended school.  This school house was located just south of the present church building.  Meetings for a time were held in the school house. 

In 1882 the group finalized the split from Madison Baptist Church and organized as a FreeWill Baptist church.

In July of 1883, ground was located west of the present church building where the C & O railroad runs.  The land was donated by John Milam with a warranty deed and George and Ella Milam by a quit-claim deed.    This transaction was witnessed by Ella Milam and J. B. Rickey, notary public at that time.  A frame building was erected by a man named Hunt, and the church was dedicated in 1887.  The deed dated in 1888 for about 1/4 acre stated that when services were no longer held, the land would return to the original owner. 

The first deacons were Bryson Southworth and Parker Rickey.  Some of the first members were George and Ella Milam, Susan Milam, Smith Fullerton, Thomas F. and Mary Kent, George and Catherine Zaler, T. M. and Thelma Kent, N. M. and Rosetta Kent.  Some years later, Thomas Kent was elected deacon in the place of Parker Rickey.  Thomas Kent and Byrson Southworth served in this capacity for many years.

Sunday School and church services were held regularly, and in 1910 a Young People's Society was organized as the "Christian Endeavor Society"  The theme of this group being:  "For Christ and the Church."  It consisted of two groups--Active members:  those who were Christians and Associate members; the ones not yet saved.  Much good was accomplished in teaching young people to speak in public and to become competent church workers and teachers in other churches as they left the Fairview Community.

In 1903, it had a membership of about 75 people.  The church stood on the northwest of the Noble school house.  The minister was Reverend Ressinger. 

In 1914, the C & O Railroad surveyed the right of way and took most of the church property and a corner of the building.  Plans were made to find a new site and build another church. 

In 1915 an exchange of property was made, and the present site was deeded to the church by Thomas F. and Mary Kent.  The deed for eight rods square was made to Denver Kent, Herman Lewis and Charles Fullerton; Trustees of the Fairview FreeWill Baptist Church and their successors in office.  Whenever the church ceased to be used for religious purposes, it was to revert to the original owners or their heirs.  The transaction was witnessed by Florence Shaner and John M. Shaner, Justice of the Peace.  As part of the land exchange, Thomas F. Kent agreed to (1) give the lot (which is the site of the present church) (2) put on the ground material for the entire frame of the new church (3) put on the ground sheeting.  Brother Kent also agreed that "the church may have the seats for use in the grove for picnic purposes and shall have the use of the church until the new one is ready for use or until the C & O Railroad Company necessitates its removal."

Construction for the new church was started in the spring of 1916.  Denver Kent, Charles Fullerton and Charles Brown, being experienced carpenters, donated much of the work to erect the new building.  A neighbor carpenter, Everett Bennett, assisted in some of the finishing work.  The church building was completed and dedicated in 1918.  The two former deacons had passed on to their reward, so George Milam and T. F. Kent were elected as deacons.  Frank E. Coles became a deacon later.

Rev. Green Willis, who came from the former church, continued to pastor the new church for several years.  During Rev. Willis' pastorate, two of the trustees passed away in 1919.  Denver Kent's funeral was the second in the new building on April 19, 1919.  The third funeral was for Charles E. Fullerton on July 4, 1919.  Both services were preached by Rev. Willis.

The first wedding performed in the new church was Frank R. Carroll and Letitia Kent Carroll.

In the 1920's during U. S. Pinson's pastorate, the church became affiliated with the American Baptist Convention, and the name FreeWill was dropped.  The name became Fairview Baptist Church.

The greatest revival held at Fairview began on January 9, 1938 when Russell Milam was pastor.  He preached the revival services which closed on February 28, 1938.  Forty-three people were baptized and thirty-seven people joined the church.  When revivals were planned, a beginning date was selected to start the revival but there was never a date to close the revival. 

Church Timeline:

1927 - Electric lights were added to the church in January.

1929 - Church floor was oiled again.

1930 - $4.50 was alloted for Homecoming expenses.

1931 - Sunday School had 72 people in attendance.

1935 - Toilets were moved on the south side of the church to create a driveway around the church. 

1936 - The pastor was paid $5 per Sunday.

1948 - The church spent $569.20 for a gas well. 

1952 - Income of the church was $2,707. 

1955 - Window panes were replaced with green glass.  The ceiling was painted white and the walls were painted light green.  In May an organ was purchased for $1,100.

1956 - A well and septic tank were installed.  The April attendance was 127.  The offering was $75.06. 

1957 - A basement was added under the church and two restrooms were installed.

1961 - Pastor Dilley begins

1963 - The sanctuary was panelled.

1964 - Pastor Dilley Leaves

1967 - The church voted to sever ties with the American Baptist Convention.  On March 1, 1967, the church name was changed to Fairview Missionary Baptist Church.  An addition and basement were added on the north side of the church, and a fuel oil furnace was installed.  A dedication service was held on July 23, 1967.

1969 - The suspended ceiling was installed along with new pews and carpeting.  The third Sunday in June was set for the dedication of the improvements.   In November, the church signed up for a water tap.

1971 - Air conditioning was added.

1972 - The church entrance was remodeled, an office, nursery, and a classroom were added.  Marion Bennett and Charles Bennett were the prime contractors along with other church members who volunteered their help.  A telephone was installed in the church.

1973 - On May 7, Ed Cox was licensed to preach.

1975 - A P.A. system was installed. 

1974 - The parking lot was blacktopped.

1976 - The front of the church was remodeled and a baptistery was added.  Marion Bennett and Charles Bennett were overseers of the project.

1977 - On March 22, 1977 a piece of property containing .45 acres was given to the church by Edmund Bishop  The deed was made to Trustees John Lewis, Claude Sammons, and Willard Williams.  The transaction was witnessed by Catherine Warner and William Horr, Notary Public.  On August 9, 1977 Edmund H. Bishop sold an additional plot of land containing 1.799 acres to the church for the sum of $5,500.  The deed is from Edmund H. Bishop to Fairview Missionary Baptist Church.  The total amount of land owned by the church was 2.775 acres which extends from Piketon Road back to the C & O Railway.  Also in 1977, the church deemed it necessary to incorporate the church under Section 1702.08 of the Ohio Revised Code and related sections.  Articles of Incorporation along with a Statutory Agent and a Code of Regulations were approved by the church body.

1978 - A fellowship was added to the back side of the church.  Willard Williams was hired to oversee the project.  Several men in the church donated many hours of work to complete the project.  The fellowship hall was used for church suppers, homecomings, Vacation Bible School, and regularly for a Sunday School Class and Junior Church.

1979 - The nursery was remodeled and two restrooms were added near the entrance of the church.  The men of the church volunteered their carpentry skills for the project.  On June 24, 1979, three of the church's men were ordained:  John Lewis, Willard Williams and Edward Cox were examined by the ordination council and then ordained as ministers of the Gospel.  A new piano was given to the church by George & Charlene McLaughlin in memory of Paul McLaughlin.

1980 - A new roof was installed by Marion Bennett, Jr. 

1982 - A portion of the fellowship hall was remodeled to provide a kitchen and living quarters to be used by visiting evangelists and missionaries.  A shower was installed in one of the basement restrooms.

1983 - Eight inches of insulation was blown into the attic above the main part of the church.  New classroom chairs were purchased. 

1985 - The basement of the church was remodeled which included new wall coverings and carpeting.  Closets for the church pantry were built on one wall.

1986 - Vinyl siding and new windows were installed on the church.  Ralph Frazie was hired as a full-time pastor.

1987 - Vinyl letters were installed on the brick front of the church.  The parking lot was expanded toward the railroad. 

1988 - The pews were repadded

1989 - A ramp was added at the front entrance. 

1990 - The church santuary was remodeled.  The remodeling was designed to keep the country atmosphere.  The old metal ceiling was exposed, and the panelling was removed and replaced by dry wall.  Stained wood wainscoating was installed from the floor upwards to four feet.  New lights and carpeting was installed.  A new P. A. system was also installed.  On April 1, 1990, a "break the record Sunday" was held in the newly remodeled santuary.  The goal for the day was 200 people in attendance.  The record attendance that day was 309!  The dedication service for the santuary was held on Homecoming Day, September 23, 1990.

2003 - Pews were recovered and new carpeting was installed in the sanctuary.

2006 - A portico was added and the outside ramp was improved. 

During the 1960's and 1970's the church voted to help support missionaries on foreign fields.  This endeavor to help spread the gospel has been fruitful as missionary letters tell fo the many souls which have been won to the Lord.  The church also helps support home missions such as Cedine Bible Institute, Cleveland Hebrew Mission, and the local Tri-State Bible College in South Point, Ohio.  Many church members have attended the Tri-State Bible College to better prepare themselves to serve the Lord.

In the 1970's the Ladies Missionary Society began collecting dry food items and send a food box to every missionary family each Christmas.  The children expecially appreciate these gifts from "home."

It is our prayer that the true gospel will always be preached from our pulpit, that lost souls will be saved, and that lives will be rededicated to the Lord and to His service. 

Former pastors:

Chris Williams
Tim Palla