Fair Haven, Gallia County, Ohio is located on the Ohio
River, at the mouth of the Kanawha River. It was laid out for
the French 500 whose settlement was moved four miles
downstream, where they settled Gallipolis in 1790. Much later
(in 1908), because there were two Fair Haven settlements in
Ohio, the postmaster, a Mr. Polsley, renamed the one in Gallia
County Kanuaga – meaning “between the Kanawha River and
The census for 1840 lists four families living here:
Alexander Rayburn (4 members), Andrew Allen (11
members), Calvin Sheppard (8 members) and Cain Stewart (7
members). In 1890 there were only ten homes and two farms
here. Since religious freedom was their reason for settling
here, they began holding worship services in their homes. The
John Deem home was one of the first used. Other families in
Fair Haven at this time were: John and Susan Rothgeb, sons
Evan and William, and daughter Eva; Bill Bryant, Frank Allen,
Dave Edwards and daughter Meadie, and sons Hoyt and
Charlie: Mrs. Charles Jett, and Hudson Maddy.
The nearest churches were in Addison and Gallipolis, and
weather permitting, they would walk to services there. In 1896
the settlers organized the Fair Haven Methodist Episcopal
Church, and on September 14, 1896, received a deed, which
was signed by the trustees: Henry Sheppard, John Rothgeb,
and James Guthrie. Witnesses were Evan Rothgeb and M. L.
Mr. and Mrs. John L. Vance presented the church with a
Bible, inscribed with their name and date, June 4, 1896. This
Bible is displayed in the church today.
In 1896, they began construction of a church. Because they
had little cash, they used the area’s natural resources, such as
lumber and stone. They were skilled carpenters and soon
erected a clapboard building with colored glass windows, a
hand-carved altar rail, and a pulpit stand, a pot bellied stove
and oil or carbine lamps. This effort was started by Wm. Deem
who raised the money by subscription, with the help of Ella
Wagner, Gus Steele and others. The land was purchased (some
sources say it was donated) by or from J. W. or Charles and
The bell was a gift from James Guthrie and had been used
on the steamboat “Silver Cloud”. The church entered the Ohio
Methodist Conference that same year. Rev. T. F. Garrett
was the first minister. The Willard Epworth League was also
organized at this time.
In 1908 a land development company purchased land and
divided it into lots for sale. Many new families moved into the
area, thus increasing attendance and growth of the church.
In 1930 – 18 small red chairs were purchased by
the nursery class for their room and are still in use today.
Sometime, prior to 1938 the first piano was purchased by the
Ladies Aid. In December 1946 work started to move the
church. A basement was dug and a 4 foot foundation
constructed, thus accommodating a coal furnace and water
system. In 1947 four classrooms were added to the back of the
church and in 1950, a vestibule and new bell tower were built.
Also a communion table was presented to the church by the
Senior Ladies Class.
An electric organ was purchased through the efforts of the
Young Women’s Class, which collected donations from the
community from 1958 to 1962.
In 1964, two silver flower vases were presented by the
young Adult Class and in 1982 brass alter ware was given in
memory of the parents of Evelyn Rothgeb and Gladia Easter
Sheets: and the parents of Florence Russell Allen.
In 1979, a fund was started to add two restrooms and
another classroom to the front of the church. This project was
completed in 1983.
From 1991 to the present time many improvements have
been made to the church, such as – a ramp; air conditioners for
classrooms; central air; ceiling fans; vinyl siding on part of the
church; windows replaced; padded pews; wall-to-wall
carpeting; new concrete front steps; and a church sign has been
This has all been accomplished through the dedication,
hard work, and tireless efforts of those people attending this
Compiled from the notes of Evelyn Rothgeb, Church Historian
KANAUGA STOREKEEPER STARTED FUND for
CONSTRUCTION of CHURCH THERE IN 1898
(excerpt from area paper written around 1935)
Founder Still Active in M. E. Congregation Affairs
By Malcolm Hartley
When W. F. Deem, storekeeper and postmaster at Kauanga,
attended a church meeting years ago in West Virginia and was
converted, he determined that his community should have a
church where the resident could worship. Seeking advice
from a pastor in Gallipolis, he was informed that he and his
neighbors should attend services at the Gallipolis Church.
This was advice with which he did not agree. With the aid
of other residents of the community he began to raise money
by subscription for the building of a church. The church was
erected in 1898, most of the labor being voluntary, and was
called the Fair Haven Methodist Episcopal Church.
The name of the community in which the church is located
is Fair Haven, although the Post Office address is Kanauga
because there is another Fair Haven in Guernsey County. Fair
Haven was part of the Ohio Company Purchase, the area was
laid out as a community earlier than Gallipolis, The early
French first came there, but moved to higher land in
Gallipolis after a flood.
GROWN SINCE 1900
The community below Fair Haven and adjoining it, has
grown up since the beginning of the century, and was named
Kanauga after the Post Office. The church is thought to be the
most influential factor in keeping the name of Fair Haven
Mr. Deem is believed to be the only one of the builders of
the church still residing in the community. He still takes an
active part in church work, being superintendent and a trustee.
Rev. A. B. Garrett was the first pastor of the church. There
have been a number of others. The present minister is Rev. A.
B. Clarey, who assumed the pastorate in September 1935.
The organization of the Women’s Society of Christian Service
The United Methodist Church Of
Fair Haven Church, Kanauga, Ohio
October 18, 1968
Members in 1968
Mrs. John Raike, Pres.
Evelyn Rothgeb, Trs.
Emma Spencer, Com. of Nominations
Mrs. Frank Cheesebrew
Virginia Roush- (chair) Christian
Audrey Brownell (chair)
Mrs. Pina Ward (com.) Local Church programs
Ethel M. Messler
Dr. Edna A. Gettle- (chair) spiritual growth
Florence R. Allen vice President
Ethel Wright Com. Membership
Mary Shamblin Secretary
Kanauga Fairhaven has Rich History
By James Sands
Fairhaven United Methodist Church in Kanauga was organized in 1895 with the present building dating to 1898. The church was started by the Rev. WLC Cornell, who was a minister in Pt. Pleasant, WV. Cornell with the help from laypersons William French Deem, Ella Wagner and Gus Steele raised the necessary funds for the organization. The land where the church sits was donated by Charles Stone and the bell was a gift from James Guthrie. The church bell had previously been used on the steamboat Silver Cloud which burned near Addison in 1869.
Kanauga was laid out in the early history of Gallia County as Fairhaven and the town was originally to be the spot where the “French 500” were to locate. Builders sent by the Ohio Company under orders from the Scioto Company thought Fairhaven was too easily flooded and therefore moved downstream about three miles to what is now the Gallipolis City Park.
In the 1830s Fairhaven was expected to prosper when it was set as the eastern terminus for what was to be called the Fairhaven, Rutland and Athens Turnpike. Although a portion of the road was built i, it does not seem to have brought much prosperity to the village.
Fairhaven really did not develop much in its first 100 years. But with the coming of the railroad bridge to Pt. Pleasant in 1886 and the development of the street car about the same time, the town began to come alive.
Fairhaven or Kanauga did not have a post office untill1896 although such Gallia settlements as Malaby, Moody and Obal had one 15 years earlier.
The Gallipolis Journal published in 1909, as part of it “Kanauga Items” section, that Kanauga would soon be getting electricity. The town was lit from the same lines that powered the electric street car.
Kanauga’s bright light shines far down the road and down to the
ferry landing and throws its beams clear across the river and is a
beacon light to the ferryman and his passengers
the Journal said. In Deem’s column he mentioned that Kauauga has a new depot (built in 1909) in operation. Deem wrote:
Kanauga is a pretty place. Right across the river Pt. Pleasant, WV and it’s
steam-boats and other boats are to be seen, the two immense bridges
spanning the Kanawha and the Ohio, the constant travel of people to
and from the ferry, their busy broom factory, the stores and the kind
and hospitable neighbors, doing all they can to build up the little town,
the round house and car barns and everything around make it to appear
lively. These new men the Howards, Marsh, Douglas, Cunningham and
others have put a life and vigor into everything about there, until it extends
across the big farms of bottom land that are between Kanauga and the Hills,
Everything about looks good and “up and comin” and a new birth is in
The Howards mentioned were businessmen drawn to Gallia County as the result of oil and gas discoveries in the county beginning about 1903. In 1908 the Howards and Marsh opened the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Gallipolis as well as what was called the Kanauga Development Corporation. These men’s promise of boom went bust when a severe recession that hit the county in 1909 and 1910. The Farmers and Merchants Bank closed its doors, the Howards sneaked out of the county and the local investors were left holding the bag.
Kanauga’s development came mostly with the building of the highway system along the Ohio River, with its importance increasing with the development of trucking. However, around World War 1 there was a coal washing plant built at Kanauga, which lasted a few years.
Built by the Hickey Transport Company, the plant used revolving screens to wash the coal, which had been brought from the mines near Minersville in Meigs county. A tremendous tunnel was built by the firm, at one time.
Today the Fairhaven United Methodist Church is on a circuit that includes Cheshire, Addison and Kyger.
Transcribed by Marian Schoonover
From the program of the 100th anniversary service
“Grace and peace to you from God, our Father, and the
Lord, Jesus Christ
1 Cor.- 1:3
We extend a heartfelt welcome to all. We are a Bible
believing church. God made a plan of salvation, which can
change your life. He sent His son, Jesus, as the Savior of the
We believe, though the power of the Holy Spirit, the Love
of God can keep you through all things. The Church’s main
concern is that everyone can enjoy the wonder of having a
special relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
So come, let us sing His praises in our service and enjoy
fellowship with God’s believers.
Sing His Praises!
THE CHURCH BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD
Thro’ the mist of years I can seem to see
The church of my childhood’s day;
And its mem’ries sweet, so with joy replete
Shall live in my heart always.
Then on memory’s page I can see again
The church by the side of the road;
And wherever I roam
It is guiding me home
The church by the side of the road
ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 1998
Prelude…………………….Organist, Charlene McKenzie
Call to Worship – Psalms 95: 1 and 2 (congregation)
“Oh come, let us sing unto the Lord; let us
make a joyful noise unto the rock of our
salvation. Let us come before his presence
with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise
unto him with psalms.”
Hymn: “ The Church’s One Foundation…………page 441
Invocation………………………………….. Charles Mash
Special Music……………………………….Kyger Church
Recognition of Former Ministers and/ or families
Special Music………………………………… Jodie Rife
Introduction of Speaker
Speaker…………………………………Rev. Larry Lemley
Special Music…………………………. Cindy Drummond
Prayer of Rededication………………………Charles Mash
Special Music……………………………. Dessie Holcomb
Fair Haven Church
Other Special Music
Closing Words of Thanks…………..
Hymn: “Blest be the Tie that Binds………………. page 65
Benediction……………………………..Rev. Larry Lemely
“For we know that if our earthly house of this
tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a
house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
FAITH IN THE HOLY TRINITY
There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without THE CHURCH COVENANT
body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the
maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible.
And in unity of this Godhead there are three persons, of one
substance, power, and eternity - the Father, the Son, and the
The Church is the community of those called by God,
justified by grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We who
are baptized into Christ’s death and raised with Christ in the
resurrection are living members of the body of Christ who
return thanksgiving to God in ministries of worship, nurture,
witness and service.
Do all the good you can
By all the means you can
In all they ways you can
In all the places you can
At all the times you can
To all the people you can
As long as ever you can
By John Wesley
METHODIST BICENTENNIAL 1784-1984
On December 24 1784, 60 circuit-riding preachers were called
together in Baltimore’s Lovely Lane Meetinghouse to consider John
Wesley’s plan for ordaining preachers. This historic conference gave
birth to the first denomination to be organized in America. U. M.’s
will soon join some 20 other denominations of the Wesleyan
heritage in celebrating 200 years of Methodist life and mission upon
MINISTERS WHO HAVE SERVED THE CHURCH
|T. F. Garrett
J. M. Jamison
A. B. Davis
C. L. Thomas
R. S. Meyers
C. H. Morrison
G. S. Leightner
W. A. Lockwood
L. C. Shaver
I. P. Day
C. S. Thompson
H. S. Yost
A. S. Davidson
John W. McMahon
A. L. Clary
Henry N. Snyder
J. V. Spear
ANdrew H. Perry
Chester J. Lemley
Wesley O. Bennett
Robert D. Rider
O. G. Davis
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