“Welcome to Fairview Baptist Church!” says the sign. Fairview Baptist Church has a rich history. It began with members from Concord Baptist Church. They branched off from Warrensburg Baptist Church. Warrensburg was the oldest Baptist church in Greene County. Warrensburg’s roots trace back to Whitesburg Baptist. Whitesburg is one of Tennessee’s oldest Baptist churches. It existed before Tennessee became a state.
Fairview Baptist Church started with 66 charter members in 1912. These members came from Concord Baptist Church. They brought letters confirming their good standing. The original Fairview building was dedicated in November 1912. Within a year, the church’s membership doubled.
Over a century Fairview Baptist Church has changed. The church added Sunday School classrooms and restrooms. They built church offices a kitchen and a fellowship hall. A larger sanctuary was finished in 2007. It featured three video screens and a media room. The media room controlled lights sound and video. The new sanctuary included a large foyer extra restrooms and a baptistry. There were also storage areas and changing rooms. In 2015 rooms beside the sanctuary were opened. This made space for more seating. The sanctuary then took on a cross shape. The old sanctuary became a multi-purpose room. It gave children ample space to play.
Fairview’s ministries have evolved. Fairview joined with three nearby churches. They created a community mission center. The four churches work together on the center’s activities. Fairview Baptist Church is very active in the community. It offers many outreaches throughout the year. These efforts help the community. They show love and lead people to Christ.
Worship at Fairview has also transformed. Men and women no longer sit on separate sides. They enter and exit through the same doors. In 2016 Fairview formed a praise and worship band. The band leads the congregation in songs during Sunday services. They play contemporary and traditional songs. Traditional hymns are sung during the service too. The music often brings shouts of joy. Members of the congregation raise their hands.
Fairview Baptist Church changed its Sunday evening services in 2016. They stopped the traditional services on the first and third Sundays. Church members now meet in small groups. These groups gather in various locations mostly homes. This change has been very successful. Three times more people are in small groups.
Fairview Baptist Church has served the McDonald community for over 100 years. It honors its past. Many revivals and Bible schools have won souls for Christ. Fairview strives to fulfill the Great Commission. It faces today’s challenges with faith. Fairview Baptist Church looks forward to its next 100 years.