Fairview Methodist Church
Franklin Township, Decatur County, Iowa
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| Fairview Methodist Church was located in Franklin Township (beside Fairview School No. 8) six miles north of Leon. |
| "A Century of Memories" of Van Wert, Iowa 1880 - 1980,
p. 36 Fairview and Van Wert churches were once associated in the support of a pastor. It is on record that the little rural church reopened in March 1, 1914 after repairs. The church was said to be the center of activities in the life of the community and its enrollment numbered well over eighty, with a Sunday School and active Epworth League. For many years, before a church building was erected, the people of the community gathered for worship in the old brick schoolhouse, located across the road from the church. Ministers of various denominations conducted the services, with Methodism being the favorite denomination. In 1876, Rev. Hull of Leon held a successful meeting, lasting three weeks. As a result of this meeting and the work of the Sunday School, the Fairview church was organized with about forty members. Among charter members were: Arneys, Lewis, Green, Davis, Coslers, Machlans, Ledfords, and Kellers. Fairview was at first associated with Leon, but the name of the circuit was later Green Bay, and still later Weldon, while in 1898, Van Wert and Fairview, together, began the support of a pastor. In 1891, the church was built, the lot being donated by W. Riley Keller and his wife. In addition to the aforementioned names other members included Thompsons, Howells, Johns, Overholtzers, Burnetts, Lantz, Henrys and Flints. The cost of the church was $1,300. The church had a number of pastors, all of whom did acceptable work. During the 1940's, Fairview Church was dropped from the Van Wert circuit. Contribution courtesy of Larry McElwee, Dodge City, Kansas, mcelwee42@cox.net |
| Photograph courtesy of Decatur County Historical Museum, Leon IA |
| Church Index * Decatur County IAGenWeb |