OUR HISTORY
On June 1, 1958, a mission was started in the Bethel-Danebo area of Eugene. A rented house on Highway 99 North accommodated the first gathering of the twenty-two members who transferred from 1st Southern Baptist to be the nucleus for what was to become Fairfield Baptist Church.
Rev. Charles Bush was called as the first pastor of this mission, July 16, 1958. Land was found and plans were made for a permanent building. On October 19, 1959, the mission was relocated to the new building site which had been constructed by the members.
With fairly rapid growth, the need for additional space was recognized. Plans for a new unit were made, money raised, and a new educational building was moved into on June 1, 1967.
George Mizell became pastor in October of 1963. He served faithfully until February of 1969, overseeing the new construction. A month later, Monte Kious became pastor. He served the church until June, 1973.
On June 5, 1974, John Gayle was given an invitation to become pastor of FBC. The church had been served faithfully during this interim by Brother Luther Slaughter. In August, the Gayles moved to Eugene, having finished a year furlough with the Baptist Foreign Mission Board of the SBC. He and his family had recently returned from Indonesia where they were missionaries of the BFMB for five years. He accepted the call and began his pastoral ministry the first week of August. John Gayle faithfully ministered to the members of FBC for 30 years until he retired in 2004.
In November of 2004, Alan Gayle, the son of John and Sharon Gayle was called to lead Fairfield as senior pastor following his father's retirement. In recent years, FBC has opened a successful state licensed Childrens Development Center that utilizes some of our original building space. As Alan has continued to serve as senior pastor, Fairfield continues to grow as we seek to fullfill the great commission and bring glory to our savior, Jesus Christ. Future plans for FBC include a new parking lot to accommodate the growing congregation. We continue to dream big and believe God has amazing plans for the members of FBC and the community of West Eugene.
Rev. Charles Bush was called as the first pastor of this mission, July 16, 1958. Land was found and plans were made for a permanent building. On October 19, 1959, the mission was relocated to the new building site which had been constructed by the members.
With fairly rapid growth, the need for additional space was recognized. Plans for a new unit were made, money raised, and a new educational building was moved into on June 1, 1967.
George Mizell became pastor in October of 1963. He served faithfully until February of 1969, overseeing the new construction. A month later, Monte Kious became pastor. He served the church until June, 1973.
On June 5, 1974, John Gayle was given an invitation to become pastor of FBC. The church had been served faithfully during this interim by Brother Luther Slaughter. In August, the Gayles moved to Eugene, having finished a year furlough with the Baptist Foreign Mission Board of the SBC. He and his family had recently returned from Indonesia where they were missionaries of the BFMB for five years. He accepted the call and began his pastoral ministry the first week of August. John Gayle faithfully ministered to the members of FBC for 30 years until he retired in 2004.
In November of 2004, Alan Gayle, the son of John and Sharon Gayle was called to lead Fairfield as senior pastor following his father's retirement. In recent years, FBC has opened a successful state licensed Childrens Development Center that utilizes some of our original building space. As Alan has continued to serve as senior pastor, Fairfield continues to grow as we seek to fullfill the great commission and bring glory to our savior, Jesus Christ. Future plans for FBC include a new parking lot to accommodate the growing congregation. We continue to dream big and believe God has amazing plans for the members of FBC and the community of West Eugene.
