Pettis County Museum, formerly Temple Beth El of Sedalia

Although Jews have lived in Sedalia for nearly as long as the town has existed, they did not build their own synagogue, Temple Beth El, until 1931. This Jewish community no longer exists. Like in other small towns across the country, Sedalia's Jewish population slowly fell over the course of several decades as young people left to find jobs elsewhere and their parents later joined them. When Temple Beth El officially deconsecrated in 2001, its former congregants donated their building to the Pettis County Historical Society for use as their first formal museum, which opened in 2008.

Like small towns across Missouri, Sedalia has had a Jewish population for almost as long as the city has existed. Jews came to towns like this one seeking new opportunities, with many working as merchants. By 1871, the local Jewish community had founded the area's Jewish cemetery, Hebrew Union Cemetery. However, the first synagogue did not open its doors until 1931. Before this, services were likely conducted out of members' homes or in rented spaces.

When the synagogue finally opened, Rabbi Mayerberg, leader of Kansas City's B'nai Jehudah, spoke at the dedication, complementing the congregation's persistence during the years it took to complete the building:

There are many more pretentious places of worship, but in none of them will there be found more real religion, more of the true spirit and the ideals of the Jewish religion, for you have sacrificed to bring about the realization of your ambition. Your numbers have been small, and your sacrifices great.

The Jewish community remained small in the following years, never surpassing more than a few hundred members. Eventually, it began to decline, with numbers dropping slowly over several decades. While there are several causes for this, the main reason is the departure of young Jewish people. This was not limited to Sedalia and took place in small towns around the country. Most of these people would go to college in other cities but would not return when they graduated, instead getting jobs in cities with more opportunities. Many were later joined by their parents, who followed them to be closer to their children and larger Jewish communities. This led to the Sedalia Jewish population rapidly dropping.

Temple Beth El was officially deconsecrated in 2001, with the remaining congregants donating the building to the Pettis County Historical Society. The PCHS had displayed items for the public since 1943 but did not have its own museum building, instead putting exhibits in the county courthouse. They finally realized their dream of a formal museum thanks to the Jewish community's generous donation. After extensively renovating the former temple building, the Pettis County Museum opened its doors in 2008. Despite some financial hardships, they operate to this day out of the former synagogue building.

"Temple Beth El Dedicated at Sedalia, MO.." The Modern View (St. Louis) May 22nd, 1931. .5.

Listening Post, Kansas City Jewish Chronicle. June 22nd, 2017. Accessed November 19th, 2022. https://kcjc.com/section-blog/1819-news/archived-news/4367-lp06-22-17.

Sedalia, Mo., and the American Jewish experience, JHV Online. February 11th, 2021. Accessed November 19th, 2022. https://jhvonline.com/sedalia-mo-and-the-american-jewish-experience-p28730-157.htm.

"Dedication of New Temple for Jewish People." Sedalia Democrat (Sedalia) April 27th, 1931. 1.

"Zionist Leader Speaks to Jews Thursday Night." Sedalia Democrat (Sedalia) April 13th, 1932. 1.

Pettis County Museum, Visit Sedalia. Accessed November 19th, 2022. https://www.visitsedaliamo.com/play/family-fun/museums-and-historical-sites/pettis-county-museum/.