Fairhaven United Methodist Church

What’s in a name? For Fairhaven United Methodist Church, the name holds a story of faith, unity, and a journey mirroring that of the Apostle Paul. Fairhaven United Methodist Church stands here today as a testament to the power of merging diverse communities. It began in the 1960s with three small Methodist churches within five miles of each other. Two of these, McDonald Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church and Hunting Hill Methodist Church, merged in 1965 to form Fairhaven. The name, suggested by Reverend Kenneth Carder, draws inspiration from Paul’s stop at Fair Havens for repairs before his voyage to Rome. This resonates with the church’s own journey, as it sought a new location to accommodate its growing congregation. Just a few years later, in 1968, Fairhaven further embraced unity by merging with Pleasant View Methodist Episcopal Church, a historically Black congregation. This merger brought together different worship traditions and strengthened the church’s foundation. The present site was purchased in 1968 because none of the original churches had enough space for a new building. The dedication of the first building on this site happened in 1970. An education wing, including the current kitchen and Fellowship Hall, was added in 1990. Today, Fairhaven United Methodist Church continues to embrace its diverse heritage and welcomes everyone as followers of Jesus Christ. It serves a rapidly expanding community. It continues to build upon its foundations of caring, sharing, and serving.