Sarah Shepherd Andrews

Sarah Shepherd Andrews (November 26, 1893 – September 16, 1961) was an American missionary, who served in Japan from 1916 until her death in 1961. She was a key figure in bringing Christianity into the country.

Biography Andrews was born in Dickson, Tennessee. The work of J. M. McCaleb influenced her to work in Japan where she later established around eight Japanese congregations. Andrews graduated from Dickson College, and took additional classes at other colleges before she went to Japan. Andrews was rescued by an American soldier in 1945. She returned to the US in 1945 and in 1949 came back to Japan. After WWII, she opened a home for Japanese widows. She later said she did not take the option to flee Japan during the war as it would have led to the decline and destruction of the churches. She founded a church in Numazu in 1954, during its postwar redevelopment.

Andrews died from a stroke on September 17, 1961. Oiha, an orphan Andrews cared for, established her tomb, which is in Numazu.