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The
Fairfield Bay United Methodist Church was organized in
September of 1969 by a small group of Fairfield Bay
residents. This small nucleus of residents had been
driving 25 miles to attend the United Methodist Church in
Clinton, Arkansas. At the suggestions of the Clinton
Church Pastor, a United Methodist Church was started in
Fairfield Bay with a core membership of about ten people. The
first services were held at the Fairfield Bay Marina, but the
marina’s boating activity proved to be a distraction so
services were moved to the Wild Boar Restaurant. This
restaurant was then located in the hub of Fairfield Bay’s
activity. Services were later moved to the Racquet Club (now
the Bay View Club) and from there to the Civic Center.
As
Fairfield Bay’s population grew, a church building fund was
established. The Fairfield Bay Land Company donated land for
our church and ground breaking ceremonies were held on May 19,
1971. On September 24th of the following year, services
began in this new facility and a dedication service was held
on October 29, 1972. The membership at that time was 55.
By 1975, our membership rolls had increased to 200 and
the need for additional space was obvious. As a result,
the first addition was completed in 1977, a second addition
was completed in 1981, and a third addition, with extensive
overall remodeling, was completed in early 1995. Our
current facility provides the function and comfort necessary
to meet all worship, study and fellowship requirements, and
plans to accommodate future growth needs are already in place.
Before
our church grew large enough to have a pastor of its own, we
shared pastors with the Clinton United Methodist Church. Our
first shared pastor was Reverend Kenneth Renfroe who was
followed by Reverend Harold Scott. In June of 1971,
Reverend Ellsworth Watson pastored both churches but became
full-time pastor of the Fairfield Bay United Methodist Church
in September of 1976 where he served until June of 1989. Subsequent
pastors were Reverend Palmer Garner through June of 1993. Reverend
Denzel Stokes through June of 1996, Reverend Sherman Waters
through June of 2000 and Reverend Bonda Deere Moyer until June
of 2007. Reverend John Walls was our Pastor until he
retired in June 2010. Our current Pastor is Reverend
Paul Strang.
A
full time, Sunday School Program was started in September of
1972. Now we have two adult classes, the Joy and the
‘Early Bird Class’. We also offer Disciple Bible
Study that meets each week and a fully equipped children’s
classroom.
Our
current facility was consecrated by Bishop Richard Wilke on
May 14, 1995.
We
invite you to come and be part of our church family…
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