DAM B/TOWN BLUFF – On Sunday, May 31 Fairview Baptist Church celebrated the founding of the church 170 years ago.
In 1856 a group of about 40 people met and decided to start a church in the Town Bluff Community in Tyler County. In the beginning the group met in the old Fairview School House.
Ninety-eight past and present members filled the church on May 31 to celebrate 170 years of a church who has stood as a beacon in the community since 1856.
The worship service began with a brief history of the church founding. There were several recognitions from invited dignitaries. A proclamation from Tyler County Judge, Milton Powers was read, a proclamation from Texas Governor Greg Abott was acknowledged and State Representative, Trent Ashby presented a Texas flag in a shadow box to commemorate the anniversary/ The flag had flown over the State Capital Building in Austin. A proclamation was also received from President Donald Trump.
Two church members, Jeff and Angie Collins, prepared a video of pictures of members old and new. The video played as Alan Jackson’s “Precious Memories” played in the background.
A video of Berl Pedigo, Pastor at Fairview from 1955-1957 was screened. Bro. Pedigo was a student at East Texas Baptist College in Marshall. Bro. Pedigo didn’t have a car, so he hitchhiked down to Town Bluff to preach on Saturday night and Sunday morning and hitchhiked back to go to school. Bro. Pedigo is 89 years old at this time.
Current and former members of the church shared special songs, and the congregation sang old hymns, filling the sanctuary with a joyful noise. Pastor Bro. Scott Loar brought a message on celebrating Jesus every day and not just on special occasions.
After the service everyone moved to the Fellowship Hall where a meal of brisket and sausage and all the sides was served. The meal was by Larkin’s Barbeque of Jasper. Desserts came from Cedar Tree Restaurant in Jasper, plus a cake and banana pudding made by two of Fairview’s members. A quilt, handmade by Jeri Weeks, a member of the church, was raffled off and won by Michael Larkin.
The church meets on Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. for Sunday School and 10 a.m. for worship service. Wednesday nights, Fairview hosts Bible Study at 6 p.m. Senior boxes, from Southeast Texas Food Bank are distributed on the second Tuesday in the parking lot and the Dam B Community Watch meets every Thursday at 6 p.m. The church has also served as a polling place for elections for many years, and also hosts a community-wide Thanksgiving Dinner each November that is open for anyone to attend.
