Our Story

Since 1946, we have sought to be neighbors sharing in the love of Christ Jesus.

Front view of Fairlawn Baptist Church original building, a white wooden building with steps leading to double doors and two windows on each side.

Original Building 1948

Our Story

In the early 1940s, families throughout southwest Virginia and West Virginia moved to the New River Valley to support our country during WWII by working at the Army Arsenal. As many people left their families and communities behind, the First Baptist Church of Radford recognized the need to be the presence of Christ for these families and to invite those who did not know Jesus to begin following Him. A small group came together and established a mission church in the new village of Fairlawn, and in 1946, that mission church became formally known as Fairlawn Baptist Church.

From our beginnings, we have aimed to be good neighbors to those living in Fairlawn and the surrounding communities. In our early days, we held lively parades to invite children to vacation Bible school, organized community picnics and provided vital spiritual, emotional, and physical support to those we encountered. This spirit of service is very much alive today as we engage in mission projects, discipleship groups, outdoor movie nights, vacation Bible schools, community meals, prayer walks, picnics, and so much more. Our goal is to help people in our region discover the transformative work of Jesus Christ in their lives. In everything we do, we strive to share the good news of Jesus through both words and actions.

Fairlawn Baptist Church after expansion in the 1960s. A white church with a steeple, several windows, and a small grassy yard, with a vintage white and blue car parked on the street in front of it.

As the community of Fairlawn grew, the church continued to welcome people to the community and grew alongside it. This was the church building in 1960.

Fairlawn Baptist Church fire in 1978. A building on fire with large flames and smoke, with snow on the ground, while people are standing outside watching.

On January 10, 1978, the original church building was destroyed by a fire. Believing God desired for us to continue being the hands of feet of Jesus in the Fairlawn community, the church rallied together and rebuilt on the same spot. They worshipped in their new building a year to the day of the fire.

A church with a steeple, brick exterior, black front door, and well-maintained landscaping, surrounded by green trees and a community setting.

Our church today: Our building may be different than the original structure, but our mission is still the same: Neighbors sharing in the love of Christ Jesus.