Sawyerville History

The Sawyerville Congregation of the Community of Christ is 75 years old!

On November 21, 2004, the Sawyerville Congregation held a special service and supper to celebrate our 75th anniversary. Invitations were sent to as many former attendees as we could locate. We had a good response to the invitation with almost 60 people attending. The meal was a typical Thanksgiving meal with ham and turkey and all the fixin's.

Over the past couple of years, we had mentioned doing something to celebrate this event, but it wasn't until our annual business meeting in October that we decided what to do. Once that decision was made, everything started happening very fast. Addresses were found, invitations made, addressed and sent, and a caterer hired. That was the "easy" part.

Since we have a somewhat small building we had to find space for this event. The pews were removed and put in storage, tables and chairs brought in, a brief history written, pictures brought in for display, and decorations bought or made to set off our celebration.

With everyone pitching in, the night went over very well. I am thankful to all who helped. The following history was written for this event, by Elder Francis Butcher and Elder Monte Oberman.

At the outset of this brief history, I must confess that I have no specific dates for many of the events listed here.  The building that now houses the Sawyerville Community of Christ, formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was originally built between 1904 and 1910, as the first school house in Sawyerville.

Another school was built not long afterward, at which time, this building became a grocery store, operated by Bill Wilson.  The store was called The Mercantile Grocery Store.

The store faced bankruptcy around 1918.  Elder George Barraclough from East St. Louis, also a real estate dealer, purchased the property at auction for $500.  Members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints then began meeting in this building, and soon decided to buy it from brother Barraclough and his wife.

The building loan was paid off in 1930, and is the only church building that has ever existed in Sawyerville.  It has been in continuous use as such, to this date. 

Actually, the history of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Sawyerville began about 1908, when a minister of the church named Alvin Russell settled in Sawyerville.  Elder Russell began holding services wherever he could find a place to meet.  When brother Barraclough purchased this building, members began meeting here as a mission of the Landsdown Branch of East St. Louis, and have never left.

In 1929, the Sawyerville Mission became the Sawyerville Branch.  Through the years, membership grew to about 60 active members, as a part of the St. Louis District.  In 1976, The St. Louis District became the St. Louis Stake.  It was determined that the building should be sold, and the members were to transfer their membership elsewhere, with encouragement to attend the Wood River Congregation of the St. Louis Stake.  Members of the Sawyerville Branch wanted to remain here in Sawyerville, and decided against giving up the building.

In November 1976, the Sawyerville Branch became part of the Central Illinois District, which was subsequently merged with the Southeast Illinois District, to form the Brush Creek USA Mission Center.

The following ministers have served as pastor of the Sawyerville Congregation over the years: 

• Elder Alvin Russell
• Elder Ray Russell
• Elder Francis Butcher
• Elder Dean Slocum
• Elder Steve Lash
• Elder Dan Welborn
• Elder Thurman Parish

The Sawyerville Congregation has been hosting a Vacation Bible School continuously since 1981.

We have a long and proud history, and are pleased and excited that so many have come to share our anniversary celebration with us!