Our Church

Those words were spoken by Rev. A. K. Whitesides when asked about the planting of Fairlea Associate Reformed Presbyterian (A. R. P.) Church on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the founding of our church.

On May 5, 1940, Rev. Whitesides and a group of people met for the first time in the Restaurant Building on the grounds of the State Fair of West Virginia. Thanks to the graciousness of the State Fair and other local business, the church was able to meet on the Fairgrounds until land could be acquired and a building built.

In August of 1940, land was donated to the church at our present location; construction on the building began soon after. Several families pitched in to clear the land, dig out the basement and foundations, and begin the construction of the basement and main building. The grounds were developed on a “pay-as-you-go” basis. The money was raised through several fundraisers so that the church was able to complete the building without the necessity of going into debt. On May 25, 1941, the first service was held in the basement of the new building. Since then the building has undergone several changes and remodels to become the building we have now.

Throughout the years, the people of Fairlea A. R. P. Church have ministered to the community in many ways. Whether it was the youth of the church meeting for Bible studies, or the Women of the Church selling meals during the State Fair to raise money for church projects, our church has seen itself as an integral part of the community.