United Church of Fairfax

8 Fletcher Road Fairfax Vermont

Mailing address: PO Box 204, Fairfax VT 05454

History of United Church of Fairfax

United Church of Fairfax (UCF) was formed on June 11, 1939. Uniting the First Baptist Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church. Both churches were struggling after the depression of 1929.

In May of 1939, S. William Webb, Clerk of the First Baptist Church wrote the following letter:

To the Members and Friends of the Methodist Church:

Dear Friends,

Believing that the time is ripe for union of the two protestant churches in Fairfax, we, the members of the Baptist Church are requesting you, the members of the Methodist Church, to give this matter your earnest thought, and if you think as we do, that the time is opportune for the formation of a community church; we are asking you to designate a time for a public meeting to thoroughly discuss the matter and arrange for its consummation. Hoping for an early reply.

On behalf of the Baptist Church,

S. William Webb, Clerk

The history notes that the articles of the union of the churches was accepted. Worship services were to be held at the Methodist Church with many of the social functions being held at the Baptist Church. One of the stipulations of the articles was that ministers alternate between the Methodist and Baptist. The first minister was Rev. Roger W. Fitzgerald who presided here until 1947. His children graduated from BFA and always referred to Fairfax as home. He was a well thought of minister. He baptized, married and eulogized many parishioners. After retiring from his ministry, he came back to Fairfax at least once a year to visit. He died at the age of 99 in 2002.

The Methodist Church was yoked with Binghamville prior to the uniting and continued to be until July 2001. From July 2001 through Dec 2010 we were yoked with St. Albans Bay. Over the years the ministers have been considered full time but ministered to two parishes. In 2009 the two churches were not able to support a full-time minister so the minister went to ¾ time and by 2010 we were down to ½ time and not yoked anymore.

In February 1941 both the Methodist and Baptist Churches were used for BFA children to continue their education after the fire destroyed the school in January. In the fall of 1941 the school continued to use the churches. In the early 70's the Methodist Church was rented for a private kindergarten.

In 1957 an oil furnace was installed in the Methodist Church. Up until that time it had been wood and coal that heated the building.

In 1968 the church (UCF) found it difficult to maintain 2 buildings. The Baptist Church entered into an agreement with the Lamoille Lodge, #6, F&AM. The Lodge and Fairfax Unity Chapter, No. 17, OES held regular and special meetings there as well as social events. In 2008 due to declining membership the OES merged with Swanton Chapter No 11. The UCF has held worship at the Baptist Church every July and we also hold social events and fund raisers here.

An interesting note in the minutes of the meetings is that in the 70's the minister thought that the buildings should be locked, but no one knew where the keys were. In order to make a key they had to remove the lock, so a locksmith could make a key.

In the mid 70's the church was struggling financially again. They had some fund raisers and pulled out of it. At the same time, it was discovered that the belfry of the Methodist Church was in desperate need of repair. They borrowed $6,000. from Peoples Trust Co. @ 8 1/2% interest.

In 1977 the Baptist Parsonage was sold, and the money invested by the Baptist Trustees with the interest being made available to the United Church for building repair emergencies.

In 1980 the Methodist Church and parsonage as well as the Baptist Church were hooked up to the town's new municipal sewer system. What a blessing.

The Methodist Church found many upgrades in the next few years. In 2001 a new hot- water/oil furnace replaced the hot air furnace that was installed in 1957 along with a new liner for the chimney so it would meet code. At the same time a new kitchen area was constructed. In 2002 the sounds system was installed and has helped many people with hearing impairment. The sanctuary was painted in 2003 while we worshiped at the Baptist Building. A new Allen Organ was purchased in 2005. Extensive work was done on the roof and new gutters installed in 2006 and 2007 along with the exterior being painted. Most of this work was financed with donations or memorial money from long time parishioners. Louise McArdle's Estate was one that was most generous with the church and helped to bring much of this to fruition.

In 2005 the minister bought her own home which left us with a parsonage that was not being used to house a minister. Many upgrades had been done on it over the years and the Executive Board along with the Methodist Trustees decided to rent it. We continued to upgrade it and after much discussion we sold it in July of 2014. The Methodist Trustees have invested the money.

Our church is involved in many things. In past years we have had Lawn Parties, auctions, silent auctions, and dinners. The Ladies of the United Church of Fairfax (LUC), help spear head rummage sales, the bazaar, bake and book sale as well as luncheons for families after funerals. For many years we held a chicken pie supper (this was carried over from the Baptist). We still provide food for town meeting lunch.

--By Sally Sweet, Feb. 2015