the little light that's been shinning for
150 years

by Nancy Nixon

In the mid-1850s life in Illinois was changing at a dizzying rate. Railroads were being built rapidly, linking communities never before connected, pioneers were moving into the state in droves and communication modes were quickly developing. And in the normally quiet rural areas, another type of excitement was brewing — new churches were springing up everywhere.

Folks who had settled in Mason County during that time — the Ainsworth brothers, the Howarths and the Layman families, saw the need for a church, so they joined the Methodist group and became prominent fixtures in the history of Fairview United Methodist Church. Thomas Ainsworth became the first superintendent of the newly organized Sunday school in 1848, which met in a small log building about a mile south of the present church. This Sunday school was a popular one, with as many as 100 children in attendance on a given Sunday.

On Feb. 22, 1850, a warrantee deed was executed by William B. Centers and his wife Susan, to the Fairview Methodist Episcopal Society of Mason County for a plot of ground on which to build a church. This first church, which was built in 1850 and dedicated by circuit rider, Reverend Peter Cartwright, cost $1,400. The

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church was perched on a small rise and gave parishioners a "fair view" of the surrounding countryside, thus procuring the name Fairview United Methodist Church.

In 1890, the original church was torn down and a new church was built in its place. This church was a little fancier, complete with stained glass windows, a pulpit, chairs and a 1,100-pound bell. Its total cost was $3,207.50. Then, in 1938, the basement was dug under the whole church and fitted as a combined kitchen and dining room. This, with some minor structural changes over the years, comprises the church as one sees it today.

"I can still remember riding to church on Sunday mornings," recalls Lori Bell Turner, daughter of Doris and Morris Bell, a longtime member of both the Menard Electric Cooperative board of directors and the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives' board. "The sun made the church shine like a bright, white beacon on that little rise out among the fields." Fairview church has been a bright spot in the lives of Turner, a descendent of A.O. Bell, C.R. Bell and J.J. Bell, all original church trustees, and her family, as well as other generations of Bells for the past 150 years.

Although the church was the edifice that brought the members together, what has made rural churches special throughout the years has been the people and their commitment to faith and to each other. Most people today don't realize that in earlier times, rural folks' lives revolved around the activities of the church. Fairview's basement project was a perfect example of that community commitment.

"They did it all by pick and shovel and by using the horses that went up underneath the church to haul the sand," says Pastor Mark Horn, the lone rotating pastor for three local Methodist Churches — Fairview, Chandlerville and Bath. "That's the essence of the church and the community coming together to help one another because the church at that time was the center of life in the community."

"It was the only place you had to go," says longtime Fairview Church member Marion Warren Fletcher, the namesake of her grandfather Marion Howarth, who was a driving force in organizing the church. "The young people, they were all at church — it was their center of entertainment." Church members

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were extended family members and they rarely missed an opportunity to meet and socialize at the events organized by the church. Ice cream socials and potlucks, which featured hand-cranked ice cream, were favorites among the members. Kim Edge, choir leader, says that relationship hasn't changed over the years, "People really do care about one another. There is a real sense of family here."

At various times in the long history of Fairview church, building repairs and remodeling have been necessary and church members have always risen to the occasion. Some of the bigger projects have been the basement construction in 1938 and redecoration in 1973. Many of the improvement projects were funded by ladies' projects.

One of the first, such undertakings was a quilt making by the Ladies Aid group, dating back to 1890. For a dime, contributors could have their name scripted on a square of the quilt, which was penned by Charlie Ainsworth and hand sewn by Mrs. William Abbott (Fairview member Faye Abbott Atterberry's grandmother), all descendents of the first church trustees. Because of Atterberry's impeccable storage technique, the quilt from 1890 looks as good today as it did then. There is not a rip or a stain on the perfectly preserved masterpiece. The quilt was auctioned off in 1890 and fetched $14, which was donated to the church building fund.

Other such projects for which the ladies raised money were the first cemetery fence and ornamental gate, carpeting for the platform, a lamp for the vestibule, matting for the aisles, iron mats for the doors and more.

In the olden days, quilting bees were popular venues for the ladies to catch up on the latest from the community. These quilting bees, which were referred to as the "happy hour clubs" were the rage. Everyone contributed their sewing ability and their time, but their information about the local "happenings" was probably the most important catalyst in producing a successful quilt.

Fairview was well known in the area for its fried chicken dinners, which were sold for 50 cents each. In the early days, the women painstakingly fried chicken over a hot oil stove, but after Fairview's new basement was completed in 1938, the church began using electricity from Menard Electric Cooperative, making cooking those dinners much easier. Who could resist the mouth-watering aroma of chicken frying as it wafted from the church? "People flocked from

Faye Abbot Atterberry holds the quilt that was painstakingly sewn by her grand mother, Mrs. William Abbot, in 1890. For a dime, contributors coud have their names scripted on a quilt square. The quilt was auctioned off during that same year for $14, which was donated to the church's building fund.

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as far as Havana and Jacksonville to get a taste of the best home cooking in the area," says Doris Bell. "We had country fresh fried chicken, fluffy mashed potatoes with someone's special recipe gravy, corn on the cob and, of course, lemonade and desserts."

Always a center of activity, Fairview had a Mandolin Club, which presented concerts and literary programs by its more talented members, Admission was 10 cents for the show, plus an additional 10 cents for refreshments afterwards. Christmas pageants were given and attended by capacity crowds for many years.

One such pageant was presented during Fairview's 100th anniversary celebration, on Aug. 6,1950. Time rolled back 100 years as members dressed in vintage clothing flocked to the church to present Fairview's centennial history. Ladies gathered in long flowing dresses with high necks and high-top button shoes, and the men attended in pinstriped suits, neck cloths and top hats. Little girls sported ribbons in their hair and lace petticoats, and the boys sported knickers and high-top button shoes.

Each era in the church's history featured a designated scene portrayed by church members, from the youngest members to the oldest, which was scripted and accompanied by music. This pageant will be long remembered by members.

A brick pillar which was erected next to the church pays tribute to the nine gentlemen who were trustees at the time of Fairview Church's rededication in October, 1938.

Throughout their history, rural churches have been used by the community for more than just Sunday worship. During the tornadoes of 1969 and 1995, Fairview church was used as a post for the Red Cross to distribute food, clothing and supplies. During wartime, a number of church members fought for our country. The churches were again the community center during those times, as a sanctuary for prayer. And, of course, they held their share of funerals and weddings over the years.

Pastor Horn took some time to reflect about former church members who come back periodically for funerals, weddings and other such events. They still remember where they came from. "This was where the foundation was formed for not only their faith but their lives, he said. "It's always good for them to come back and get in touch with their roots, and I think it helps to sustain them through whatever happens, wherever they happen to live, large city or small. They don't forget what they've learned here."

Things have changed in the rural churches. People are far more mobile than they once were and church maybe isn't as much of a priority. But, despite this, the churches continue to operate pretty much as they always have. "The people still care about each other the same way they always have," says Pastor Horn. "Throughout the generations, when the signs have been there that you'll close your doors and die, new life is brought in. God has seen through to keep it going."

Sure, the pastors must be a little more creative and flexible in what special programs they offer to their congregations, and when, but the loyalty among the people is still there. There is so much history contained in these shining beacons on the prairie. Words from an old hymn come to mind, "This little light of mine — I'm gonna let it shine." And in Fairview's case, the light isn't just on the outside of the church. It has been illuminated for the past 150 years with the warmth and faith of a caring community inside.

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