In the Beginning...
From our humble beginnings, Fairmont Baptist Church has sought to share with others the good news that the Lord Jesus Christ saves and keeps. We’ve attempted to work together and with missions so that many people will know that Jesus Christ is God in human flesh, the only Saviour.
THE EARLY YEARS
In November of 1962, Rev. Henry Lee Smith and family started a mission in his home on Melrose Avenue. Later he rented a location on Dayton-Xenia Road for the mission and the people gathered to serve and love God.
By January 1963, property on Marshall Rd. in Kettering, Ohio was purchased as a mission site that would become the permanent home of Fairmont Baptist Church. At the time, a 2-story house was the only building that was utilized as a meeting place for worship and Sunday school classroom space.
The mission was sponsored by Grace Baptist Church in Milford, Ohio.
From Mission to Church
On June 8, 1963 with 10 charter church members action was taken and Fairmont Baptist Church had begun.
Twelve churches of like faith participated in this service and Rev. Henry L. Smith was named the Pastor of Fairmont Baptist Church.
Our Faithful God
The 2-story house was no longer large enough to house the growing church family. Rev. Smith described the growth of our church as being “not rapid but steady”. In the first few years, the membership grew from 39 people to 81 people joining in the worship and ministry of our Great God.
On February 7, 1965, the church voted to enter into a building program and by September 19, a short, groundbreaking ceremony was held after Sunday morning services.
Many trials and attacks from Satan appeared but through faith in our Lord, a lot of prayer, hard work, and teamwork a new building was constructed. It had an auditorium, 10 classrooms, a nursery, Pastor's study, and fellowship area.
1960's - 1970's
During these years, the spiritual impact of Fairmont Baptist Church was evident by dozens of families attending church and being taught the Word of God.
The church financially supported missions and Christian education beyond Kettering, Ohio. By the time the church celebrated 8 years, Fairmont Baptist Church was sponsoring three missions: one in Toledo, one in Xenia and one in New Lebanon, Ohio.
1980's - 1990's
As the decades changed the commitment of Fairmont Baptist Church to share the Gospel never changed. The church continued their efforts locally and throughout the world where God's people worked together in Christian duty to teach all Christ had commanded.
During these years, many people grew in their Christian faith. Through activities, teen Discovery Bible studies, Christian service projects led by a group of dedicated workers, the younger and older generation experienced what God had for them because of the ministry at Fairmont Baptist.
2000's - 2010
The church sought to remain faithful to the God who had preserved them for the past 40 years by preaching and living God’s Word.
Our church family continued into the new decade with the same desire to enjoy the Christian life God had so generously given by His Son.
The missions of Fairmont Baptist Church expanded to include the Dayton Gospel Mission and Feed the Children.
2010 - 2018
In June of 2013, we reached a milestone by marking 50 years of serving God as a church focused on preaching the Gospel, sharing the Gospel, and making disciples. Pastor Chet Tibbetts invited founding Pastor, Rev. Henry L. Smith to preach this special Sunday.
Within these last few years, Fairmont Baptist keeps pursuing more ways to reach those around the entire Dayton, Ohio area. God loves the whole world and He sent His only, begotten Son to die for their sins.
We pray that God will keep using His church here through our efforts, and abroad through missions to advance the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2018 - PRESENT
After being without a pastor for several months we called Wesley Beckner to be our pastor in the Fall of 2018.
Pastor Beckner has continued to preach the Word of God throughout the ongoing attacks of the Devil to stop this Scriptural Church in Kettering.
As a result, Fairmont Baptist Church has remained a New Testament church standing on Biblical salvation decisions based on the person and performance of Jesus Christ the Lord. He is indeed the Son of God which according to the Holy Scripture proclaims Him to be the God-man, and only Saviour. The Holy Bible teaches us that it is upon this rock that JESUS will build His Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Without Scriptural salvation decisions “churches” are not built upon the Rock, and therefore will be a failure in the all-knowing sight of the Judge of all the Earth. Praise GOD the candlestick has not been removed at Fairmont Baptist Church! All glory to our Father and to His Son, Jesus Christ the Righteous.
As we continue to trust our God and Saviour to sustain us, we have witnessed His unseen hand of protection, provision and power. As long as we continue to honour the Son, we will be honoured by the Father. Without Him we can do nothing! We can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth us!
Throughout these last 5 plus years God has taught us to trust Him more and lean unto our own understanding less. We are far removed from being without fault and that reality is more and more clear as we keep our focus on the faultless Son of God.
"Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." Revelation 5:12 KJV
"Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." Ephesians 3:21 KJV
Our PASTORS SINCE 1963
(in chronological order)
Henry Smith
Walter Jones
Lloyd Roper
Daryl Owens
Jim Ledford
Steve Maxie
Bill Morrow
Zary Shealy
Chet Tibbetts
Wesley Beckner