LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

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FAIRVIEW CHURCH
Wapello Township, Louisa County, Iowa

Transcribed by Sharon Elijah, September 23, 2016

        The Fairview Church is located two miles east of Newport in Section 36 of Wapello Township. The plot was deeded to the Trustees of the Methodist church on December 27, 1855 by William and Patience Scull, but the actual recording did not take place until January 20th, 1858. The building 30 x 40 feet in size, was constructed of native lumber by James Brogan and he was assisted by David Dotson and a Mr. Bier as well as others in the congregation. The framework of the building was from local hand hewn timbers some with dimensions of 10 x 12 inches. The main double door faced the north and the building had four windows on both the east and west sides. The seats or perhaps benches would accommodate 16 or 18 people with a divider in the middle of the bench so that the men sat on one side of the church and women on the other. A section of shorter length seats and an aisle on either side made it possible to locate the long low wood burning stoves.

        On the south end of the building was the rostrum . . .

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. . . surrounded by four hand made seats known as mourners benches. In each of the south corners were four long seats facing the pulpit that were known as the “AMEN” seats. Many years later two large windows were added to the south end of the building to improve ventilation and lighting. Some older memories reported that a Father Springsteen sat on one of these with his hand cupped to his ear due to his hearing impairment. Many of the early parishioners (even as today) had their favorite seats. An early history identifies the seating order of Messers. Higgs, Halverson, Sprinkle, Bier and Dotson.

        The older women usually sat in the short seats along the wall complete with knotted hoods etc. Some of these names were Mary Dotson, Betsy Mickey, Betty Johnson, Hettie White, Martha Dotson, Dora Sprinkle and Susanna Hamilton as well as Mrs. Scull, Mrs. Alsot, Mrs. Brogan and Mrs. Halvorson.

        Next to the wall was a cupboard that provided storage for the testaments that were used and re-used. It was not until 1892 that the Sunday School started using David C. Cook Co. supplies.

        Fuel for the stoves was donated and hauled to the church and in the event of very severe winter weather, a wood sawing day was held at the church. It was necessary to keep a week or two supply of wood inside the church in order to have adequate dry fuel for services the following Sunday. Mr. Basel Dotson whose home was about 1 ½ miles north of Newport for many years walked to the church to start an early fire so that the building would be warm in time for the services.

        Nearly every winter there would be two or three weeks of revival meetings at night and the church would be filled to capacity, even though most traveled by foot or on horseback. Special programs such as those held at Christmas were particularly memorable. About 1892 a committee consisting of John Springsteen, Tuttle Jamison and J. C. Scull and Mr. and Mrs. Will Syphrit drove in two surreys to Burlington to purchase the church’s first organ. Some of the organists were Pearl Sprinkle, Millard Sprinkle and Cora Mayes.

        In the summer of 1900, a severe wind storm from the north blew open the doors and did considerable damage to the old church spreading the walls to the extent that the ceiling over the pulpit fell. It was decided to replace the building on the same spot and after a few years with a canvas adequate to pay for the new building completely. It was with heavy hearts that the razing of the old church with its many fond memories was started. Services were held in the school building across the road during the time of construction. The members of the building committee were F. C. Elrick, William Newell and T. A. Dotson. The framework was started by H. T. Newell and Arthur Vandevort on August 21, 1905 using plans developed by H. O. Pease which were similar to those used for the Harrison Church. As was standard procedure in those days much of the labor was performed by the members of the congregation. Some of the remodeling projects included installing a bell in the belfry and enlarging the basement.

        In addition to the very active church programs there were several 4th of July celebrations held on the church property with generous basket dinners and guest speakers, from neighboring communities.

        There was a house located in the Southeast corner of Section 25 which would be only a short distance east of the church where many of the pastors lived and it was known as “Parsonage Hill.”

        A chronological listing of the pastors is not readily available, but early writings include some of the following names: Rev. Rowley, 1885; Rev. T. S. Pool; Rev. Teagues; Rev. M. E. Willits; Rev. Kous; Rev. J. F. Rex; Rev. H. O. Henrickson; Rev. F. P. Frye; Rev. D. E. Parks; Rev. A. W. Starkebaun on a circuit with Oakville; Rev. C. E. Burdine, 1921; Rev. F. L. Stotler; Rev. F. J. Young, 1923-1926; Rev. W. G. Barr, 1930-1933; Rev. O. G. Orcutt, 1935; Rev. Clarence Richardson 1940-1941; Rev. Eugene McClure 1942-1943; Rev. Pike, 1945-1946; Rev. J. M. Kinney, 1947. Several of the latter pastors were a part of the circuit that included Morning Sun Methodist Church. Other ministers that held pastorates at Fairview were: Dunlavy, Cartwright, Dilly, Vincent, Dibble, Ashby, Wiggins, Hanshaw, Randolf, Aubrey, Tolbor, Robinson, Judd, Robb, Hankins, Olinger, Elrick, Arnold, Worel, Frohardt, Zimmerman, Minier, Ermil Fry and Glenn Fry.

        There was one double funeral held in the old church, Mr. Jim Halvorson and his daughter Mrs. Charles Lundvall and a double funeral in the new church was for Mr. and Mrs. Evans in 1924. The first wedding in the present church was in 1947 when Donna Dotson and Bruce Rich were married.

        Services were held intermittently after World War II. Three young men from Wapello took turns in supplying the pulpit in the mid fifties, Howard Hayes, Leroy Beane and Gene Mathews. Matthews is the son of Wm. H. Matthews of Wapello and has had a long career as a missionary in Korea.

        Sunday school and church services continue for a small number of faithful members, often conducted by volunteer or supply pastors. The fine people of this closely knit neighborhood have maintained a positive program for over a period of nearly one and one half centuries. This continuity of positive purpose deserves our respect and admiration.

        The information used in this essay was gathered from writings by Susannah Huff and Myrtle Bjork, and various other sources. While some of the details are by necessity, sketchy, how great it is that people take the trouble to record their proud memories for the future.

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Picture: Fairview boys Sunday School class about 1920-1921.
(standing, L to R) Russell Eubanks, Cleo Dotson, ____ ___ Mellinger, Charles Syphrit, John Jarvis, Fred Callahan, Lynn Graham,
(sitting, L to R) _____, Orton Beard, _____, _____, Cecil Hamilton, Ivan Graham

Picture: Sunday School Class Circa 1920.
Back row L to R: Mary Eubank, Frances Moyers, Marie Vaughn, Vera Campbell, Myrtle Beard, Frieda Baird, Lea Campbell.
Front row L-R: Hazel McIntyre, Verna Johnson, Suzanna Hamilton, Maurice Austin, Fay Eubanks, Opal Baird, Vera Jarvis.

Picture: Fairview Church 2 miles east of Newport

Picture: Susannah Huff, organist, Fairview Church east of Newport