Help Preserve High Creek Cemetery & Church
Ever since High Creek Cemetery – Church has existed it evolved only through great sacrifice to the community. In the early days accomplishing this feat with the tools of the day and the resources available at that time, it would seem nearly impossible to us now. The challenge today of maintaining this park like facility’s luster and beauty is as great as ever with the high cost of maintenance.
Our goal is to maintain the grounds and the church building in its original condition. We invite you to visit High Creek any time you can. Of course, Memorial Day is when we all try to get together for the open house reception which is held on Sunday before Memorial Day. You will have an opportunity to inquire if you are interested in volunteering for projects or just participating in the fellowship there.
No one needs a reminder regarding the high cost of upkeep and the daily maintenance of the Cemetery and the Church. We welcome your donations to support this cause. You can contribute gifts to the Cemetery-Church Association with the peace of mind in knowing that 100% of your donation will go to building and grounds upkeep. You may send donations at any time that you wish. They should be mailed to the High Creek Cemetery-Church Board of Directors - 308 Sonora St, Watson, MO 64496-8417.
High Creek Cemetery-Church was founded on the basis of community giving. In the early days all of the area’s residents participated in raising the funds to build this community center. The Ladies Aid was continuously instrumental in club involvement with activities such as sewing, embroidering, quilting and baking. The proceeds of such endeavors all represented gifts conveyed directly to the community center. The earliest form of farmers markets were organized and well attended by the local residents. These events were held regularly on the grounds of the Cemetery-Church with all the proceeds going to the building fund.
With the main industry of the area being agriculture, the farmers measure of productivity was how much was produced from one acre of land. Consequently, the annual event “The Lords Acre Day Sale” was established as an individual’s measure for giving to the Cemetery-Church. Each farmer would reserve one acre of farm production to be auctioned off at this annual event. This grew into an annual celebration of gift giving and fellowship and became an ethic of the level of donation to be given. Whether it was an acre of produce if you were a farmer or a day’s wages if you were in the trades, it became the noble gesture of one’s contribution in developing this beautiful valley.
