DeKalb First United Methodist Church Records, 1854-1978 | Northern Illinois University
Administrative/Biographical History
The First United Methodist Church, originally the First Methodist Episcopal Church, was organized in 1855. Calvin Brookings, David Pierce, Elisha Foster, Silas Tappan, and George Harrison comprised the first board of trustees. Elijah Stone officiated over the first two years of services held in a school house located just south of the railroad tracks on First Street. In 1858 the congregation erected its own church building on Fourth and Grove Streets. First Methodist moved again in 1909 to the present structure on Fourth and Oak Streets and purchased the house on the southwest corner of First and Locust Streets as a parsonage.
Over the years, members of the First United Methodist Church participated in several community service church groups. The Ladies’ Aid Society, instrumental in raising funds for church improvements and charities, began in 1855. Sub-groups or Circles of the Society worked towards accomplishing specific goals. The women congregants also formed three missionary societies; the Foreign Missionary Society organized in 1884, the Young Women’s Missionary in 1886, and finally, the Home Missionary Society started in 1897. In addition, young people’s organizations, particularly the Epworth League (org. 1890) and Harmony Circle (org. 1907), provided a social and educational atmosphere for teen-age members. Lastly, church members helped form a local Girl Scout Troop, Boy Scout Troop #4, and Cub Pack #104. All of these organizations insure the continued development and involvement of the First United Methodist Church in the DeKalb community.
Subjects (links to similar collections) Administrative InformationFirst United Methodist Church deposited some of its inactive records with the University Archives in the late 1960’s. J. Joseph Bauxar, University Archivist, transferred the collection to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center in May 1978. Subsequent to this date, materials were added to the original deposit to form the present collection.
The history of the First United Methodist Church, DeKalb (1855-1978), is partially documented in this collection. Although the annual reports (1942-1958), quarterly reports (1892-1961), official board minutes (1883-1957), and financial records (1864-1920) provide the most comprehensive information on the development and policies of the organization, they are incomplete. Some of the historical gaps are filled by the general correspondence (1883-1961) and the correspondence of Pastors Allan Billman and Paul Benedict (1931-1951). Of special note is the correspondence dealing with the organization’s efforts to remove socialistic trends from the church and Methodist literature (1950’s). Historical information also is available in church newsletters (1943-1978) and service programs (1898-1975). These materials indicate the variety of church projects, business transactions, and religious practices of the congregation. Historical information on DeKalb and life in general in 1908 can be found among the Cornerstone Material located in Box 3. Postcards, photographs and newspapers are included in the cornerstone material.
The church’s service groups are well documented in the collection and the records are of exceptional quality for research in church/community relations. The records, including minutes, programs, annual reports, yearbooks, and treasurer’s records, indicate the breadth and scope of each society’s activities. In contrast, the Sunday School is not completely documented. Although there are minutes and secretary’s reports for the school (1899-1965), the major subseries of this record series consists of class books and rosters (1868-1958).
Researchers should note that the collection contains a wealth of information on the Rock River Conference. Programs and minutes of the annual meetings (1862-1960) provide an overall view of this organization’s history. In addition, minutes of the Centennial Camp-Meeting Association (1876-1903) and Epworth Grove Camp Grounds’ treasurer’s reports (1910) are helpful for documenting the recreational facet of the conference.