The Sayre Century

(1899 - present)

The Sayre 100 year tradition of service to children is both long and uninterrupted. Sayre Child Center was founded in the winter of 1899 as the Cecil Sayre Day Nursery. The nursery was named in memory of Cecil B. Sayre, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sayre, who provided the initial funds to open the facility and who became the nursery's first president. The nursery's doors first opened on Birch Street with an original purpose to provide custodial care for children of indigent and widowed women so they could work and maintain their homes.

The organization received its charter in 1901, was incorporated in 1906 and accepted as the second charter member of the Bethlehem Community Chest, now known as the United Way, in 1920. The current name, Sayre Child Center, was adopted in 1963.

Over the years the Center's emphasis has shifted from the needs of the parent to the needs of the child. The program gradually expanded to provide specialized care and an educational program suited to the needs of children. By 1955 the nursery provided care to 65 children and our growth has continued to the present.

Sayre Child Center is presently able to provide care to 155 children, using the considerable talents of 40 staff, 33 classroom, 5 administrative and 2 site cooks.