Looking back at the 57 years that the Fairfield Church of Christ has been an influence in this community, we are reminded of the work of so many people. The one man that possibly contributed the most was Comer Plunkett. It was he who had the original idea of having a tent meeting at the junction of Hwy. 48 and 100.

Bro. Plunkett called a meeting at the Nunnelly church in early 1947 which was attended by representatives from 14 congregations throughout the county. The decision reached at this meeting was to have a gospel meeting beginning the 1st Sunday in June 1947 and continuing for 13 days. Bro. Willard Collins was to preach and Tommie Nicks was to lead the singing. As a result of this meeting four people were baptized.

The group of congregations decided to have another tent meeting in 1948. Bro. Paul Hutton would preach and Edward Gossett and W.B Bradley would lead the singing. This meeting led to 20 baptisms. So much enthusiasm was generated from this meeting that immediate plans were made to construct a church building for the Fairfield community.

A tract of land was secured from Mr. M. B. Nickell and Bro. Dennis Hassell began to clear the land. Many other men became directly involved with the construction of the building. The ones we have record of are: E. R. Minick, O.J. Hudgins, Calvin Lynn, Tommie Cash, Jodie McCaleb, Arthur Nash, Dawse Hutchinson, Oscar Hudgins, Curtis Canady, A.E. McCoy, Claudie Canady, Loyal Gossett, Clayton Gossett, Cave Moss, R. T. Starbuck, and Bud Sullivan. Once the building was completed there remained a debt of $1990.98 for which the members signed a note with the 1st National Bank.

The dedication service in the new building was conducted on the 2nd Sunday of February 1949. Bob Yeager preached the first sermon in the new building.When regular worship began the next Sunday, there were 43 people present and considered themselves members of this congregation. The first contribution was $28.43.

The first elders of this church were: Clyde Beard, O.J. Hudgins, Everett McCoy, and Cave Moss. The deacons were: J. C. Basford, Loyal Gossett, and Elgie McCoy. Comer Plunkett served as Secretary-treasurer before going back to his home congregation of Nunnelly in 1959.

As the Fairfield Church became established in the community it soon became evident that the first building would not be sufficient to handle our growth. In 1959, plans for expansion of the original building were discussed. In 1960, the decision was made to acquire the present site and erect a larger building. The first service in the building in which we now worship was conducted on May 21, 1961. Russell Artiest preached the first sermon in the new building and Carl Cochran led the first song. In addition to the land purchased from M. B. Nickell, John and Mildred Burke donated the portion of land where the parking lot is now, which resulted in Cedar Street being moved to its present location. Previously, this street connected with Hwy. 100 approximately where the Fairfield sign is now.

In 1962, plans were made to build a minister's home beside the church building. Many of our ministers have lived in the home and it was also used as a children's home to provide foster care. Our youth minister, Brandon Bass and his wife Jennifer currently reside there.

Due to continuous growth of the congregation it was decided in 1987 that Fairfield needed more classrooms with better access, and plans were made to build a new educational wing. This addition was finished in 1988 and provided new offices, a library, additional restroom facilities as well as new classrooms.

Although it continues to be a work in progress, the building itself has seen several aesthetic and structural improvements in recent years including updates to the front porch, auditorium, fellowship room and classrooms. There are several murals and decorative painted areas throughout the building featuring the new completion of a custom painted classroom honoring the memory of Jenny Chandler.

During the early days there was no full-time pulpit minister. Many different men served in this capacity. Since 1953 we have had a minister in the employ of our church. They are as follows: 1953 - Bill Smotherman, 1954-55 - Glen Mayfield, 1956 - Carmack Skelton, 1956-58 - Brother Hagwood, 1959-61 - Charles Collins, 1962-64 - Edd Lancaster, 1965 - Harry Owen, 1965-67 - Glen Mayfield, 1967-68 - Danny Buie, 1968-70 - Don Hughes, 1970 - 92 - Bert Mathis, 1992-97 - Stan Smith, 1997-2005 - Mike Kelley. Devin Pickard currently holds that position.

Currently our elders are: Lafayette Spears and Edward Gossett. The deacons are: Mike Breece, Darin Cochran, Steve Craft, Stephen Graham, Gerry Hinson, O.D. Pratt, Wallace Smith, Marvin Truett, Raymond Truett.

Our prayer is that Fairfield will continue to grow and to be a shining light in the community. May the words of Paul to the Corinthian church in I Corinthians 15:58 be our theme, "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.".