In Seattle's Maple Leaf neighborhood, The Fairview Church stands at 844 NE 78th St, where a congregation founded in 1906 has centered its life on Jesus Christ through prayer, meaningful relationships, discipleship, and mission. The church describes itself with four words: Truth. Worship. Community. Mission. It is known for a deliberately simple welcome: come as you are, worship with the congregation, pray, and engage God's Word without feeling that you need a manual or a performance. Sunday worship begins at 10:30 a.m. every week, both in person and online, while the same building also houses The Fairview Child Center and welcomes a variety of events and activities.
Sunday at 10:30: Come As You Are
Fairview gathers each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at 844 NE 78th St. The service is offered both in person and online, allowing visitors to take part in the same Sunday worship from either setting. The church's instructions for newcomers are refreshingly direct: there is no manual to learn and no pressure to perform. Come to worship, come to pray, and engage with God's Word through the Sunday message.
The church points to Jesus' words, Come to me, which Fairview joyfully echoes. Its threefold emphasis explains much of the church's public identity: Jesus is the reason it exists, the center of what it does, and the one who makes all the difference. A guest does not need a prepared routine or a set of answers. The church's own invitation is simply to show up and be part of what God is doing at Fairview. Lead Pastor TJ Samuelu also welcomes people who are exploring what faith gatherings look like for the first time, whether or not church has become part of their weekly rhythm.
The live worship service can be watched through the church's YouTube livestream, while a sermon archive keeps messages available beyond the live gathering. The Church Center app can also be used for giving, signing up for events, connecting with a community, and checking in a family.
Truth, Worship, Community, Mission
Fairview's mission statement says the church has existed for more than a century to introduce people to the transforming power of Jesus Christ, anointed by the Holy Spirit, to proclaim, heal, free, and restore. That language comes from Luke 4:16-21 and places the congregation's work squarely in the life and mission of Jesus. Four core values give the church its practical shape:
- Truth: The Bible is the church's ultimate guide and authority and the standard by which it lives.
- Worship: The congregation responds to the goodness and greatness of God by humbling itself before him.
- Community: The church holds that love for God is proved true by the way people love one another.
- Mission: Because Jesus came to proclaim, heal, free, and restore, Fairview seeks to do the same in his name.
Five commitments at the center
The church names five theological commitments as its core nonnegotiables. First, Jesus is Lord above all others, the Son of God and Son of Man. Second, the Holy Spirit is an active Person of the Triune God, able to fill and empower people in the pursuit of holiness. Third, the Church of God is called to be a catalyst for unity in the body of Christ. Fourth, the greatest commandments call people to love God with their whole selves and to love others as themselves, which Jesus identified as the sum of the law and the prophets. Fifth, the supremacy of the Bible stands. Fairview calls itself a people of the Word and regards Scripture as the supernatural measure of faith, conduct, and practice.
The church's creed likewise affirms God the Father and Jesus Christ as God's only Son, the virgin birth, the crucifixion and burial of Christ, his resurrection on the third day, his ascent into heaven, his position at God's right hand, and his future judgment. It confesses the Holy Spirit, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection of the body. The Bible is described as perfect and without error and as the final authority in matters of faith and practice. Fairview also believes that every person who has accepted Christ's forgiveness is a member of the church of God.
From the Church of the Living God to the Miracle on 78th Street
The Fairview Church of God was established in Seattle in 1906 as the Church of the Living God. Its founding pastor was James Bamford. A church building was added in 1925, and the congregation eventually became known as Woodland Park Church of God. Many pastors and leaders went on to guide the church's mission of sharing Jesus with Seattle, but the story is also rooted in a willingness to put the congregation's buildings to work beyond Sunday worship.
That conviction became especially clear in December 1984, a period remembered as the Miracle on 78th Street. After purchasing the Seattle Fairview School building, the entire congregation gathered at 78th and Roosevelt. They surrounded the former school and prayed that the church body would be good stewards of the building and that it would be used for ministry. In 1985, the church opened The Fairview Church and School. Many pastors, college presidents, and missionaries have since come from Fairview's congregation to reach out and serve others.
The history invokes the image in Isaiah 64:8, where God is the potter and the congregation is the clay, the work of God's hand. Fairview expresses its desire for God's light to shine from the building to all of Seattle. The same outward impulse appears in Matthew 5:14-16, where Jesus calls his followers to let their light shine before others. Fairview summarizes that calling with the phrases We are a light on a hill in Seattle and Jesus is the subject.
A Former Public School of More Than 45,000 Square Feet
The building's story begins in 1907, when Seattle opened a public school called Fairview. The original structure had eight rooms and served grades 1 through 7. Its name honored the spectacular views of Green Lake, Lake Washington, Mount Rainier, and the Cascade Mountains. Fairview School closed in June 1978 after a new location opened for the growing school.
After a bid from the Pacific Northwest Ballet fell through, the building was sold in 1985 to Woodland Park Avenue Church, which respectfully changed its name to The Fairview Church. The structure now spans more than 45,000 square feet and is home to The Fairview Church, The Fairview Child Center, and a host venue for various events and activities. Its long history as a school, its prayer for renewed ministry use, and its continuing role in the life of the congregation remain closely connected.
Small Groups and Wednesday Nights at 78th Street
Small groups at Fairview meet throughout the week to grow in God's Word and build meaningful community. The range includes women's Bible studies, men's groups, and community outreach, giving people several ways to study Scripture and spend time together. The church presents its groups as a place for everyone, with the shared aims of learning God's Word and developing genuine relationships.
The Wednesday gathering for youth and young adults is especially informal. At 7:00 p.m., people meet in the Youth Room on the third floor for Bible study, food, and community. The invitation speaks directly to those looking for conversation about faith and meaningful connection. There is no pressure and no set expectation for participation. The church describes it simply as a time to come as you are and grow together in Christ.
The Fairview Child Center, From Caterpillars to Bears
The Fairview Child Center is a ministry of the church that has served the community for more than 20 years. Its vision is to provide a much needed service to people in Seattle regardless of their religious background and to show the love of Jesus through caring words and actions. The center cultivates a learning environment built around loving children, teaching about God's love, encouraging caring friendships, and creating safety and comfort. Teachers are committed to the development of the whole child across social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and spiritual dimensions.
The center serves children from 2 months through pre-K on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Classrooms are organized by age and named for young animals:
- Caterpillars, 2 to 12 months: The infant classroom provides individualized care, helps babies build secure relationships, and supports important early developmental milestones.
- Butterflies, 12 to 18 months: As children become confident walkers, play, music, movement, and sensory activities support independence, language, and social skills.
- Tadpoles, 18 to 24 months: Hands-on experiences encourage communication, independence, creativity, and positive social interaction.
- Frogs, 24 to 30 months: Children continue building confidence and independence through art, music, outdoor play, and group activities.
- Turtles, 30 to 36 months: Play-based learning strengthens language, problem-solving, and self-help skills. Potty training typically begins in this classroom, with families partnering in the process.
- Tigers, 36 to 42 months: The preschool classroom encourages curiosity through early literacy, math, science, art, and hands-on learning. Children are expected to be potty trained.
- Lions, 42 to 48 months: The Pre-K Prep classroom develops confidence, independence, school readiness, and academic and social emotional skills through engaging, play-based learning.
- Bears, 48 to 60 months: The Pre-K classroom prepares children for kindergarten by building foundations in literacy, math, science, problem-solving, and social emotional development through a balance of structured learning and play.
Classroom placement is guided by each child's developmental needs, classroom size, and required staff-to-child ratios intended to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment. The age ranges serve as general guidelines. Health and care forms cover allergies, asthma, diabetes, diaper cream authorization, food intolerance, seizures, and individual care. Tours and an enrollment waiting list are also part of the center's admission process.
Missions From Seattle to Africa, Europe, Japan, and Latin America
Fairview supports missions locally, nationally, and across the globe. Its mission commitment follows the command to make disciples of all nations and is closely connected to Global Strategy, a Church of God ministry. Global Strategy walks alongside local churches worldwide, pursuing healthy churches that are locally led and sustained, regionally connected, and missionally engaged so they can give life to their communities.
Four Global Strategy leaders serve in distinct regions:
- John and Gwen Johnson are Regional Coordinators for Africa.
- Nate and Stacy Tatman are Regional Coordinators for Europe and the Middle East.
- Bernie and Akiko Barton are Missionaries to Japan.
- Jason and Abby Torgeson are Regional Connectors for Latin America.
Fairview's local relationships include:
- Double K Retreat and Adventure Center, a Church of God retreat center.
- Union Gospel Mission, a nonprofit Christian ministry serving those in greatest need.
- Warner Pacific University, an educational community where faith and knowledge go hand in hand.
- Sound Science - Sound Faith, an independent Christian science apologetics group.
- Children of Promise, an organization working to make wholeness possible for children around the world.
These global and local connections grow from a conviction that has been present throughout Fairview's history. The church continues to emphasize making disciples, studying the Word, and living faith in a way that serves both nearby communities and people far beyond Seattle.
Lead and Executive Pastors TJ Samuelu and Jim Lyon
Lead Pastor TJ Samuelu says his privilege is to welcome people to Fairview, with a heart to help the church love and minister to the people of the Seattle area and beyond. His ministry journey began in Vancouver, Washington, with a nonprofit focused on teen suicide prevention and local community outreach. At King's Way Christian Schools and Vancouver Church of God, he served as a high school Bible teacher and head coach for golf and track. He later became Missions Pastor at Vancouver Church and joined the Church of God Global Strategy team. Before coming to Seattle, he served as Associate and Missions Pastor at Cloverdale Church of God in Boise, Idaho.
Samuelu serves on the boards of Warner Pacific University and the Pacific Northwest Association of the Church of God and is a coach with Intern Academy. Executive Pastor Jim Lyon was born and raised in Seattle, and his Christian faith was born and nourished while growing up in the Fairview congregation. He served on the Fairview staff for 20 years before ministry near Indianapolis and work in 73 countries. Returning to the congregation where he was raised, he now serves as Executive Pastor.
Carmen Tolentino directs The Fairview Child Center, while Courtney Samuelu serves in communications. Their work joins pastoral care and local administration to the wider church emphasis on prayer, discipleship, relationships, and mission.
Faith, Hope, Love, and the Rhythm of Community
Faith, hope, love, and global connection describe the scope of Fairview's life. The church is part of The Church of God (Anderson, Indiana), a global movement of people seeking to fulfill God's mission in the world. Fairview says it is committed to studying the Word of God and faithfully living it out, following the mission Jesus gave every believer to make disciples of all nations.
Beyond Sunday worship, the church gathers throughout the month for small groups, monthly fellowship luncheons, and drive-in movie nights. Its annual traditions include an Easter Egg Hunt at Maple Leaf Park, an Easter Sunrise Service at Green Lake, and trunk-or-treat. These gatherings place the congregation alongside neighbors and families in Seattle, giving the former school building a life that reaches well beyond a single Sunday gathering.
From 78th Street, Fairview's story is one of a former school placed in ministry use, a Child Center serving families regardless of religious background, a people of the Word pursuing holiness and unity, and a global mission reaching from Seattle to Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Japan, and Latin America. Jesus remains the reason the church exists, the center of what it does, and the difference it names: Truth. Worship. Community. Mission.