Administrative History

The Fairview Community Church began as the Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church, an outgrowth of the Scott Street Mennonite Brethren Church. The congregation was officially organized in 1963 with 156 charter members. A meeting house was completed in 1964 and a parsonage was completed in 1965. In 1966, open air drive-in services were begun and a radio ministry in 1969. An addition to the meeting house was completed in 1968. In 1973, the membership was 369. From 1978 to 1987, the congregation operated a Nursery School. In 1980, they were partners in starting another congregation in the area, Fairview-Louth.

The membership of Fairview MB Church in 1980 was 425. The congregation’s objective to evangelize their community remained its primary goal. In 2000, the membership stood at 290. In 2016, the recorded membership was 185. And, in 2017, the congregation changed its name to Fairview Community Church.

Then in 2018 the congregation decided to close. A final worship service was held on 30 September 2018 with former pastor Waldo Pauls delivering the message based on Isaiah 66:1-2.

In late spring-early summer 2018, the Mennonite Brethren denomination reached out to Mike and Terrie Sherbino asking them to consider moving to St. Catharines to open a new church. Under their leadership, a new church, that would meet in the same location, called Northend Church, was formed.

The leaders of the congregation were: Walter Unger (1964), Harvey Goosen (1965–1974), Paul Fast (1975), Rudy Bartel (1975–1981), Ed Wiebe (1981–1984), Paul Wartman (1985–1991), Murray Unruh (1992), Henry Petkau (1993), Gary Janzen (1994–1995), Waldo Pauls (1996–2005), Glenn Reid (2005–2008), Don Craw (2009–2012), Kevin Smith (2012–2013), Michael Dyck (2012–2015), Kenn Kraeker (2010–2015), Brian Reynolds (2015–2018).