BURKET — Burket United Methodist Church will celebrate its 100th anniversary with an open house from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15. Pastor Gary Loy and congregation invite past parishioners and the public to come and enjoy free hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, lemonade and ice tea.

The Boy Scouts will be making mouse ears and the Girl Scouts will be making cotton candy. There may also be homemade ice cream. A bouncy house will be set up for kids to enjoy and radio station WIOE will be in attendance from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. to broadcast the event.

The present Burket United Methodist Church is a result of the uniting of five former Burket area church congregations: the Burket EUB Circuit, Palestine and Fairview Church, The Valley and Burket United Brethren Church and the Burket Methodist Church. Cooperative services for Burket Methodist and Burket EUB church began in January, 1968.

The congregations voted to use the former EUB building for the united churches. Rev. Don Poyser was the first full time pastor. Additional facilities have been added over the years, including classrooms, kitchen, fellowship hall, office, library, restrooms and nursery. The west entrance and sanctuary have been redesigned as well.

In recent years, the congregation also became the owners of the former Count Keifer home, next door to the church. It has been used as a food pantry and clothing distribution for those in need of assistance. The house has also added the Sonshine Cafe, with a light menu and supported by donations.

Loy and his wife Doris have been at Burket UMC since February 2011. The pastor and congregation invite anyone in need of a church home to fellowship at Burket United Methodist.