Church History - Fairplain Presbyterian Church

1953 - Four families met to worship for the first time in the old Fairplain Town Hall.

1954 - A Sanctuary was under construction in a walnut grove.

1958 - Fairplain Presbyterian Church was chartered.

1965 - The Montgomery Educational Wing was dedicated.

1970's - Fairplain's first Food Pantry deliveries were made.

1998 - We are "Opening the Window to Fairplain's Future."

Jan. 1999 - Lake Michigan Presbytery authorizes $945,000 construction project

Oct. 2001 - Commitment/Rededication Sunday marks the completion of renovation.

It was October 1953 when four families met to worship for the first time in the old Fairplain Town Hall, a St. Joseph Township suburban area outside Benton Harbor. Rev. Dr. Edward W. Montgomery, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Benton Harbor, dreamed of a Twin Cities Presbyterian Church and encouraged the families to start a new congregation.

By 1954, sanctuary construction started in a walnut grove, and on September 12, the cornerstone was laid. Fairplain Presbyterian Church was chartered March 30, 1958 by the Western Michigan (today Lake Michigan) Presbytery. The Montgomery Educational wing was dedicated September 15, 1965.

At a significant 30th anniversary celebration in April, 1984, the mortgage on the property was burned.

On July 16, 1995 Rev. Dr. John L. Munson was the sixth pastor installed.

Ministry at Fairplain always has been mission directed. The first Food Pantry deliveries were made from the church in the mid 1970's. Church members volunteered in 1980 to serve at the Soup Kitchen and have continued every month since then. Ongoing cooperation with Family Independent Agency and Harbor Habitat for Humanity are examples of helping families in our local community. Youth work teams and volunteers in mission have kept us attuned to projects across the United States.