in 1893 in a new church house erected on land donated by Joseph Winger Sr. at 500W & 400N, three miles north of Sweetser. This church was the nucleus of the Sweetser Church of the Brethren which was organized in 1959. First mention of Sweetser in the Methodist Church conference minutes was in 1875. Local preachers mentioned were John Hubert, Allen Meek, Andrew Green and Joseph Leazenby. The first Methodist church was located on the northwest corner of Main Street and State Road 18. The current Pastor is Dave Parker who oversees the activities of the Church. Currently, the town is served by the Sweetser United Methodist Church, the Sweetser Wesleyan Church, and Liberty Baptist Church. Government Sweetser is governed by a five-member town council, all of whom serve at-large and by tradition run as independents. Current council members are President Charles Briede, Vice-President Steve Kelley, Richard Gamble, Matt Stewart and David Fox. Police and fire protection Police protection is provided by the Town Marshal and his deputies and reserve officers. Fire protection is provided by the all-volunteer Pleasant Township Volunteer Fire Department, which operates from the fire station located at the corner of State Road 18 and Main Street. Utilities Water is provided to residents of Sweetser through individual household wells. Sewage is piped to nearby Marion for treatment. In 2011, the town announced plans to build its own $2.4 million wastewater treatment plant. The incumbent landline telephone provider is the Sweetest Telephone Company, formerly known as the Sweetest Rural Telephone Company. It is one of Indiana's larger independent telephone companies Parks and recreation Sweetser is home of the Sweetser Switch Trail, a three-mile asphalt trail located in the center of town. The trailhead features two restored railcars and a statue of Garfield. Restrooms, parking and water are available at the trailhead. The trail connects one mile east of Main Street with the Cardinal Greenway in Marion. Pawadise Park, is a unique feature along the Sweetser Switch Trail. Completed in July 2012, the park is located one-quarter mile west of Main Street next to the trail. The park was funded totally by donations. Dogs of all sizes can run unleashed here. The park has two separate areas, one for large dogs and one for small, and will include a small area for pet owners to memorialize their pets. Education Sweetser is part of the Oak Hill School District and