Homecoming 1965 -- names you know

 Aug. 19, 1965 Cambridge City Tribune/Traveler

About 160 Turn Out

For Last Fairfield

Church Homecoming

FAIRFIELD -- Souvenir pencils bore the simple words, "Last homecoming 1965, Fairfield Methodist Church."

Though the advent of the Brookville Reservoir will bring the demise of this entire community, approximately 160 people braved Sunday's sweltering temperatures to participate in the Methodist Church's 128th anniversary.

Tent-sheltered tables on the church grounds provided facilities for the basket lunch following the morning service. The repast was an integral part of the renewing of old friendships and the ensuing reminiscence.

Four former pastors and their families were present: Rev. and Mrs. Grover Houseman of Connersville (1925-28); Rev. and Mrs. George Curtis of Versailles (1939-48); Rev. and Mrs. William (Mabel) Cooney of Taylorsville (1955-60); and Rev. and Mrs. W.C. Patrick of Franklin (1912-14).

Rev. Patrick graduated from Moore's Hill College in 1912 and Fairfield was his first charge. (Moore's Hill later became Evansville College, affiliated with the Methodist Church.)

The afternoon program held in the church included an address by Rev. Dorothy Colgan Hinds, Rev. Hinds, pastor of Aberdeen and the Mt. Carmel Churches in Vevay, lived in Fairfield for three years while in high school. Summing up, she said: "To look back occasionally is good but to wish we were back would arrest progress."

Two vocal solos were rendered, "Be Still, My Soul," by Rev. Cooney, and "Just a Closer Walk With Thee," by Mrs. Herschel (Hazel) Klein, both accompanied by Mrs. Al Hansford on the organ.

A history of Fairfield was given by Mrs. Maggie Retherford of Blooming Grove. Miss. Ruth Preston of Fairfield also wrote a history of the community, which was read by Mrs. Kenneth Davis.

Homecoming members were:

Mrs. Nelson Stelle (Blanche), chairman

Mrs. Al Hansford (Helen)

Mrs. A.J. Banning (Pauline)

Mrs. Carl Bonar (Ellen)

Mrs. Carl Cornelius (Eileen)

Mrs. Robert Chapman (Joan)

Mrs. Herbert Stelle (Doris)

Mrs. Ethel Klein (Fred)

Miss Eliza Kelly

Mrs. Dimmitt Butcher (Gertie)

Mrs. Carl Huber (Ruth)

Mrs. Kenneth Davis (Ancille)

Mrs. Leroy Stevens (Ruth)

The day was best described by Mrs. Ethel Klein, who said, "Isn't it wonderful, all the hand shakin' and folk gettin' together?" 

Mrs. Snow Van Camp of Mt. Carmel said, "It's too bad, we'll miss all this."

Reported by Joan Chapman for the Richmond Pal-Item