The Tyler Council of Church Women will celebrate 80 years of existence during its upcoming meeting.
The interfaith group is responsible for the creation of the Tyler Day Nursery and the North Tyler Day Nursery and continues to support these organizations.
Its members are dedicated to "listening, learning and loving their neighbor," according to a news release.
The organization has its roots in the Methodist Mission Board, which was started in the 1930s in response to the East Texas oil boom.
One of the group's early presidents decided the organization should be open to all Protestant churches in Tyler. It was and, in 1935, the Tyler Federation of Church women began. The first member churches were Marvin, St. Paul and Cedar St. Methodist churches along with First Christian Church.
In 1936, the organization decided to expand even more to include "all church women's groups," according to a historical document.
Soon, women from the Congregation Beth El and Ahavath Achim Synagogue, along with what is now the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Christ Episcopal Church and First Baptist Church became members.
The organization, which today is known as the Tyler Council of Church Women, meets four times a year and welcomes women of all faiths who desire to work together to make their community a better place to live and raise a family, according to the news release. Between 25 and 40 women usually attend the fifth Monday meetings.
The council has a long history of social service. In addition to establishing both day nurseries, the council worked toward getting a child welfare unit for Tyler and Smith County. That unit is now a state agency.
Council President Jane Winn said there are two main reasons the group continues to meet. First, to promote understanding between different churches and synagogues. Second, to support the two day nurseries, she said.
"We cannot give a lot of money, but we feel like the money that we do give is necessary for the day nurseries and we would like to grow so we can support them even more," she said.
Twitter: @TMTEmily
BREAKOUT:
Who: Tyler Council of Church Women
What: 80th Anniversary Celebration
When: 10 a.m. Monday
Where: First Christian Church of Tyler, 4202 S. Broadway Ave.
Why: To honor the Marvin UMC women who had the vision to start the organization and the women from the original churches.
