Warren Sawyer Saunders papers

Warren Sawyer Saunders, was born August 9, 1912 in Oneco, Florida to Elmo and Corinne Suanders. He completed a degree in theology from Emory's Candler School of Theology in 1951. His first appointment was at Wesley Chapel in the North Georgia Conference, while in seminary. Saunders came to the North Indiana Conference in 1952 and was ordained elder at Annual Conference in that year. After serving churches in Richmond, Leesburg and Goshen, he and his wife, Irene, came to Carmel in 1964, soon after the congregation moved to 126th and Rangeline Road. They served there for 18 years, during a period of rapid growth of both the church and the community. Under his pastoral leadership, Carmel United Methodist Church grew from about 900 members to 2,200 members and added two major additions to the building. Carmel UMC was also transferred into the South Indiana Conference during his tenure there. Following his retirement in 1982, DePauw University conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. Warren Sawyer Saunders had a son, Stewart Saunders. At the age of 90, on March 13, 2003, Warren Sawyer Saunders passed away.