FAIRVIEW SOUTHERN METHODIST CHURCH CEMETERY, Oconee County, SC
A.K.A. Fairview Union Church (C234)

Version 2.2, 18-Apr-2002, C070.TXT, C70


********************************************************************************

It's believed that the usage of any original work submittals contained within 
these webpages such as articles, compiling, photographs or graphics, conform to 
Fair Use Doctrine & Copyright Guidelines.  
 
COPYRIGHT NOTE: (1.) Works published before 1923, are considered to be public-
domain. (2.) Works published 1923-1977 without a copyright notice, are 
considered to be public-domain. (3.) Unpublished non-copyrighted works will have 
Author permission for public-domain.  Facts, names, dates, events, places & data 
can not be copyrighted. Narration, compilations and creative works can be 
copyrighted.  Copyright law in the U.S. does not protect facts or data, just the 
presentation of this data. 

REPRODUCING NOTICE: These electronic pages may only be reproduced for personal 
or 501(c) Not-For-Profit Society use. Use the following names, if, you would 
like to give any author compiling credit.

AUTHORS: Paul M. Kankula-NN8NN & Gary L. Flynn-KE8FD

*********************************************************************** 05-01-15


HISTORY WRITE-UP : Wilma W. Thompson of Seneca


CEMETERY LOCATION:
------------------

>

Latitude N__ __.___ x Longitude W__ __.___


CHURCH/CEMETERY HISTORY:
------------------------

Fairview Church was organized on August 1, 1857, when John Cannon had a vision 
to build a Union Church in the community. He donated a two-acre tract of land to 
the Fairview Community. It was known as the Fairview Union Church, a union 
church because he and his wife were of different Protestant denominations.

Older members remember the original structure was located on the site of the 
picnic shelter. It was a saltbox log building; the only lighting from candles 
and windows. It was furnished with homemade backless benches, a pump organ, and 
a fireplace.

Around 1895, it was destroyed by fire. There was no insurance and little money. 
Folks gave what they could to replace the building in the present location. It 
was a small building now used as the sanctuary. Later additions included a 
pulpit area in 1913, classroom wings 1917, vestibule in 1920, three classrooms 
and basement in 1960.

There were few frills, but the best loved was the old wood stove in the middle 
of the sanctuary.  Charlie Burton was paid $.10 a week to light the fire. 
Catherine Boggs kept fresh flowers. The offering averaged $1.50. That was the 
preacher's salary. In the 1960s, the church began to purchase the frills - an 
organ, pews, central heating, restrooms, and central air conditioning.

The Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians used the building for their services 
until the 1920s. Since then, Fairview Union Church has housed only the 
Methodists, and became known as Fairview United Methodist Church.  In 1970, the 
congregation sought admission into the Southern Methodist Denomination; thus the 
Fairview Union Church became known as Fairview Southern Methodist Church.  It 
still remains a union church and belongs to the community.

As the church grew, space was needed for the young people to meet. In 1986, a 
fund in memory of Michael Clark was started. After many prayers, offerings, and 
much hard work, on October 30, 1994, the new Education Fellowship Hall was 
dedicated.

Submitted by: Wilma W. Thompson, 204 Shoreline Drive, Seneca, SC 29672.


TOMBSTONE TRANSCRIPTION NOTES:
------------------------------

a. = age at death
b. = date-of-birth
d. = date-of-death
h. = husband
m. = married
p. = parents
w. = wife


>