In the next year there will be two new major additions to Fairview; the churches Chase Oaks and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
“We are planning to begin construction [on our new Chase Oaks location] late in 2014 /early 2015 and it will be done late fall of 2015,” Chase Oaks Campus Pastor Glen Brechner said.
While Chase Oaks is still in its early phase, construction on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is underway.
“Construction began in July and we anticipate completion in August 2015,” Bishop Ron Haas said.
Having two different churches right next to each other is rare and presents some unique opportunities.
“The churches are different in theology and methodology,” Brechner said. “I think that will help people think maybe a little more deeply about how important what they believe matters. Both organizations care about the community we live in and will have a respectful and “good neighbor” relationship with one another.”
The two churches differ in many ways but with one common goal.
“We are grateful to see another house of worship being constructed in Fairview, and look forward to being neighbors with our good friends of Chase Oaks,” Haas said. “I believe we have a common desire among the members of our congregations to strengthen families and our community. We look forward to serving alongside our brothers and sisters of many faiths.”
The new churches also present several new opportunities for both the members and the community as a whole.
“Our new meetinghouse will provide an opportunity for our members to come together and worship right here in Fairview,” Haas said. “ It is my hope that this new Latter-day Saint Chapel will be a symbol of the collective desire of our members to be good citizens and have a positive and uplifting influence in our Town. Ultimately, our new church building will be a place where all are welcome to come and worship our Lord, Jesus Christ, and to make covenants to accept and follow Him.”
“The hope we have for the building is that it is a great tool that helps us be more effective in what we are already trying to do, which is be a source of hope and transformation in the lives of people and our community,” Brechner said. “Our hope is to be not just a church in the community, but a church for the community and we think the building will help us have a space where we can serve our church family and our community incredibly well and maybe help change the way some people perceive church.”
Although it may seem strange to have two churches right next to each other, it doesn’t seem to be a big deal to the ones that go to the churches.
“To be honest there’s only good things that could come out of the church being there,” Chase Oaks member Dan Cole said. “I think that it will build the community even more than it is now.”
