Journal-News.com

FAIRFIELD — Some people couldn't help from peeking. Lifting the corner of the covered church sign on Winton Road, several already knew the news.

The Fairfield Missionary Church is now officially Fairfield Community Church, a name change geared to reflect the congregation's commitment to the community.

The Rev. Richard Sterwerf said a unanimous vote supported the decision, the consensus being that the word "missionary" in the church's name was confusing to many people.

"Nobody knows what a missionary church is," said Sterwerf. "We want to be a church for the community."

During the last two years, the congregation has focused on updating and modernizing the facility built in the late 1950s. Their efforts for a new approach and attitude have been fruitful, attracting about 40 families to the church in the last couple of years, he said.

Sterwerf said the congregation is enthusiastic about the progress.

"I think people catch the vision of what you are trying to do when you are working as hard as they are," said the Cincinnati Christian School graduate.

Getting to know the neighborhood is key to the church's future plans. A community luau at 5 p.m. on Sept. 8 is planned with games and refreshments.

"The church sat there for all this time, (but) some neighbors don't know us," he said. "We want to be good citizens."