1990
Mafair United Methodist Church came into being by the merger of Fairfield Meth-
odist Church, which was located on Eastman Road, and Maple Street Methodist Church
located at 929 Maple Street. The merger took place on August 11, 1949 in the Lincoln
School Auditorium; Dr. J. A. Bays presided. The name of the new church was suggested by
Mr. S. Flem Dobyns as a memorial to the two churches. The first two letters of Maple and
the first four letters of Fairfield were combined to form the name MAFAIR.
Fairfield Methodist Church was one of the oldest churches in Kingsport. The precise
date of its organization is not known but among its early pastors were the Reverends S. G.
Ketron, A. L. Addington, R. M. Wagner and Stanley Humble.
After the merger Fairfield property, except the belfry bell, was sold to Mr. E. Ward
King, founder of Mason & Dixon. The bell was eventually installed in Mafair Church and is
used in every Sunday’s call to worship.
Maple Street Church started as a Sunday School on Dale Street. In October, 1928,
Mr. Flem Dobyns, with the approved of the Reverend P. L. Cobb, Presiding Elder of the Big
Stone Stone Gap District, started the Sunday School in the Holston Apartments Building
(which had been built for the Federal Dye Plant and Edgewood Arsenal for use as Bachelor
Quarters during World War I). Sixteen people were present on the first Sunday. Mr. Dobyns
was elected Superintendent, Mrs. Daisy Moody (Ball) was elected Treasurer. Soon the
Sunday School outgrew the Dale Street quarters and was moved to a large store building
which was rented on Maple Street. The Reverend Sullins Dosser, the pastor of Highland
Park Methodist Church (later became St. Luke’s) was assigned the additional duty as pastor
of the new Sunday School.
In January, 1930, Reverend Dosser conducted a highly successful revival in the store
building. As a result of this revival, Maple Street Church was organized on May 11,1930
with 174 people joining - 100 by baptism. The baptism service was conducted on May 11,
1930, in Holston River on Long Island in spite of the fact that the ground was covered with
two inches of snow. Maple Street Church was approved as a Home Mission Project and the
Mission Board paid $50.00 and Mr. Dobyns paid the remaining $50.00 per month of the
pastor’s $100.00 per month salary.
In 1931 Maple Street Church purchased a wooden tabernacle from the M. F. Ham
Evangelistic Crusade and a five room house at 629 Maple Street. The house was moved to
the rear of the lot; the tabernacle was dismantled and the materials were moved to the
Maple Street lot. Following working drawings provided by Mr. Allen Dryden and using the
materials from the tabernacle, volunteer workers built a church building on the Maple
Street lot. The women of the church provided lunch for the workmen each day. The first
, c. xo j ^fFphniarv 1932, long before the building was com-
service was held on the first un ay wa]ls PaneIling of the sanctuary
Sfaot;“ine^accomplished in 1933 and was financed with money which the Women’s
Missionary Society raised bj quI^’n^ , allSoverIKingsport for 10 cents each and Mr. J.
„ . T ? 1934 "X bXtaXthe bHck verneering of the church. The Reverend
SeSZur had’been assigned as assistant to Reverend Dosser in 1931 and became the
Itor in S3. Shortly after Reverend Robert Duncan had replaced Reverend Seymour in
1938, the church was gutted by fire. With monies from insurance and a loan, the church was
rebuilt immediately. Mr. Dobyns donated a parsonage at 850 Dale Street.
Under the leadership of Reverend E. L. McConnell who became the pastor in 1938
Mafair purchased the land on which the church is now situated for $12,000. The church bank
account contained $35.02 at the time.
The loans for the lot were paid off in 1948. The Maple Street property was sold to
Walnut Street Methodist Church for $29,000 and the decision was made to go ahead with the
construction of a new Church Meanwhile, from August 21,1949 until December 24, 1950,
worship services were held in Lincoln School. The first service in the new building was held
on December 24,1950 by the Reverend C. D. Mehaffey who had been appointed pastor in
October 1950. The official opening service of the new Mafair Methodist Church was con-
ducted by Bishop Paul B. Kern on March 11,1951.
The indebtedness ($53,517) was paid off and the note was burned on October 28,
1956. The sanctuary was dedicated by Bishop Short on November 25, 1956. The new educa-
tion building was started in August 1957 at a cost of $113,000; it was completed in late 1958.
Although no further additions to the building have been made notable changes have
taken place:
The church has been air-conditioned throughout.
An elevator which runs from the basement to the third floor
has been installed (1989-1990)
New gas furnaces have been installed, replacing the old oil furnace (1990).
The parking lot has been enlarged and re-paved.
It can be seen from this brief history Mafair United Methodist Church is a living,
growing organism which is certain to continue to grow as necessary to accomplish God’s
work.
The above historical information was supplied by Mr. Holiday Smith
Pastors of Mafair United Methodist Church from 1930 to 1990:
1930-1933 - Sullins Dosser
1933-1935 - Mervin Seymour
1935-1938 - Robert H.Duncan
1938-1946 - E. L. McConnell
1946-1948 - E.L. Crump
1948-1950 - L. A. Harmon
1950- 1951 - C. D. Mehaffey
1951- - J. E. Milburn
1951-1956 - George O. Harr
1956-1961 -
1961-1965 -
1966-1968 -
1969-1977 -
*1971
1977-1980 -
1980-1981 -
**1980-1981-
1982-1988 -
1988-
*1988-
Frank Trotter
Elton F. Jones
John F. Greer
Harrison Marshall
David T. James, Sr.
Dale Bittinger
Kyle Tomlinson
Albert L. Newman
Norman C. Wilhoit
R. Harold Buck
T. O. Willis
*
* *
Visitation Minister
Associate Minister
b
SchnotolEbgemEnts
We are especially thankful for those who contributed their favorite reci-
pes. Without the cooperation of our church membership, this book would have
been impossible. We hope you enjoy reading this book and sharing some of the
recipes with your family and friends. May good fellowship be shared around
your table with Feeding Our Flock.
Typists, Proof Readers and Helpers:
Peggy Buck
Helen Cash
Thelma Marshall
Johnsie Morgan
Iva Rupe
Marjorie Seal
Nelle Sipe
George O. Cash, Jr.
Mafair United Methodist Women
Officers for 1990
President
First Vice President
Second Vice President
Helen Cash
Betty McVicker
Peggy Buck
Secretary Arlene Cowden
Treasurer
Nancye Pope
Mafair United Methodist Women
Guild Chairmen 1990
Rose Bayer
Ann Keith
Kathleen Puckett
Iva Rupe
Joyce Schierbaum
Nelle Sipe
d
fi
TRB16OF CONTENTS
Appetisers.................................................. 1
Beverages....................................................13
Breads.............................................. .....21
Cakes.................................................... 35
Casseroles................................................. 67
Cookies.................................................... 87
Desserts.................................................. .99
Dietetic and Low Cal...................................113
Meats..................................................137
Microwave..............................................165
Miscellaneous........................................ 181
Pies................................................ 189
Soups and Salads.......................................207
Vegetables..............................................233