First Congregational Church Records (DeKalb), 1856-2002 | Northern Illinois University

Collection Overview

Title: First Congregational Church Records (DeKalb), 1856-2002

ID: RHC/RC/017

Extent: 15.75 Linear Feet

Arrangement: The collection contains six series: Administrative Records, Membership, Committees, Building, Church Activities, and Audio-Visual.

Date Acquired: 03/00/1973

Subjects: Congregationalists, Ellwood, Isaac L., First Congregational Church (DeKalb, Ill.), Glidden, Joseph F., Religious Institutions-- DeKalb

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The records in this collection document the growth and development of the First Congregational Church of DeKalb from 1856-1991.

The first series, Administrative Records, includes historical information, constitutions and annual reports, church meeting minutes and correspondence, bulletins and the church newsletter. The nearly complete span of weekly church bulletins documents day-to-day activities and concerns.

Series two, Membership, contains church directories, membership lists, and letters of dismission for members transferring their membership to other churches. Also included are guest register books dating 1944-1978.　

Committees make up the third series in this collection. The committees are arranged alphabetically and include minutes and correspondence.

The building and refurbishing of the new church is documented in the fourth series. This series dates from 1947-1987 and contains contracts, correspondence, and deeds for the church built in 1954.

Series five, Church Activities, includes material relating to activities and organizations that the church is involved with.

The Audio-Visual series includes two reel-to-reel cassettes with church services from 1965, three 33 1/3 recordings of the church dedication, fourteen architectural drawings dating 1951- 1973, and 165 photographs of church members and the church buildings.

Collection Historical Note

The First Congregational Church in DeKalb was organized by eight founding members in December 1854, following missionary services begun in September of that year by Rev. H.N. Norton. Services were initially held (1854-1888) in a school house located at the corner of Grove and South Second Street. The school house was purchased outright n 1870. With financial support from I.L. Ellwood and J.F. Glidden, a new stone structure was built in 1888 next to the "Old Chapel" which was razed in 1914. A new building fund was begun in 1944 as part of the 90th Anniversary celebration. On July 4, 1954, the first services were held in the new, modern church building on North First Street.

Subject/Index Terms

Congregationalists
Ellwood, Isaac L.
First Congregational Church (DeKalb, Ill.)
Glidden, Joseph F.
Religious Institutions-- DeKalb

Administrative Information

Repository: Northern Illinois University

Access Restrictions: There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Use Restrictions: Property rights in the collection remain with the First Congregational Church, DeKalb, Illinois. Literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Acquisition Source: The First Congregational Church

Acquisition Method: The First Congregational Church Collection was deposited in the Northern Illinois Regional History Center in March 1973. Additional records were added at later dates.

Related Materials: Related collections of the Regional History Center include: DeKalb First Methodist Church Collection (RC 24), St. Paul's Episcopal Church Collection (RC 55), First Lutheran Church, Rockford (RC 83), and Salem Lutheran Church, Sandwich (RC 84).

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series I: Administrative Records],
[Series II: Membership],
[Series III: Committees],
[Series IV: Building],
[Series V: Church Activities],
[Series VI: Audio-Visual],
[Addendum 1],
[Sub-Series I: Administrative Records],
[Sub-Series II: Membership],
[Sub-Series III: Committees],
[Sub-Series IV: Building],
[Sub-Series V: Church Activities],
[Sub-Series VI: Audio-Visual],
[Oversize Drawer 20],
[All]

Series I: Administrative Records

Box 1

Folder 1: Historical Background
Folder 2: Histories, 1984, 2004
Folder 3: History: Expansion (uncut Draft of ch. 10 of 1984 published history), 1944-1954
Folder 4: Unpublished history (typescript)
Folder 5: 90th Anniversary Pageant (script), 1944
Folder 6: Articles of Incorporation, 1947
Folder 7: Constitution and By-laws, 1922-1987
Folder 8-10: Constitution, By-laws, Lists, Minutes (3 volumes), 1856-1922
Folder 11-15: Annual Reports, 1944-1979, 1981, 1983-1987, 1989-1990
Folder 16: Local Church Report (Yearbook), 1912-1939, 1941-1964
Folder 17: Annual Meeting Minutes, 1963-1987
Folder 18: Annual Financial Meeting Minutes, 1986
Folder 19: Semi-Annual Meeting Minutes, 1986-1987
Folder 20: Congregational Meetings, 1967-1985
Folder 21: Minutes of Meetings (typescript copy), 1854-1888
Folder 22-23: Church Business Meeting Minutes, 1922-1942

Box 2

Folder 1-5: Church Business Meeting Minutes, 1943-1960, 1963-1977
Folder 6: Correspondence concerning 60th Anniversary, 5419
Folder 7: Correspondence, 1936, 1952
Folder 8-10: Church Correspondence, Howard Nelson, 1947-1968
Folder 11-12: Church Correspondence, 1960-1968

Box 3

Folder 1: Church Correspondence, 1969-1977
Folder 2: Correspondence, 1952-1985
Folder 3: Anniversary (120 Correspondence and Minutes), 1974
Folder 4-12: Church Bulletin, 1926-1931, 1934-1950, 1953-1967

Box 4

Folder 1-4: Church Bulletin, 1969-1977, 1979, 1986-1989
Folder 5-8: Newsletter, "The Church Spire", 1961, 1970-1982

Box 5

Folder 1-6: Newsletter, "The Church Spire", 1983-1991

Series II: Membership

Box 5

Folder 7: Membership Record Book (typed copy), 1856-1862
Folder 8: Register of Members, 1854-1961
Folder 9: Register of Communicants, 1866-1952
Folder 10: Church Directories, 1893, 1912, 1954, 1963-1966

Box 6

Folder 1-2: Church Directories, 1967-1974, 1977-1991
Folder 3-4: Membership Lists, 1921, 1931, 1948-1962
Folder 5: List of New Members, 1960-1967
Folder 6: Membership and Church School Enrollment, 1977
Folder 7: Non-Active List, 1915-1951
Folder 8: Membership Correspondence, 1961-1966
Folder 9: Transfer of Membership, 1961-1970
Folder 10: Letters of Dismission, November 4,1954-May 22,1969
Folder 11: Baptismal Record, 1922-1952
Folder 12: Service Honor Roll, 1917-1918

Box 7

Folder 1-3: Guest Register Books (3 volumes), 1944-1963, 1967-1978

Series III: Committees

Box 8

Folder 1: Auditing Committee, 1976
Folder 2: Bus Committee, 1958
Folder 3-10: Church Cabinet Meeting Minutes, 1928-1933, 1942-1966

Box 9

Folder 1-5: Church Cabinet Meeting Minutes, 1967-1987
Folder 6-8: Board of Christian Education, 1960-1966, 1970-1977, 1983-1987
Folder 9-10: Christian World Mission Committee, 1971-1977

Box 10

Folder 1: Church Access Study Committee, 1970-1986
Folder 2: Congregational and Christian Conference of Illinois, 1934, 1939
Folder 3-7: Board of Deacons, 1966-1969, 1974-1977, 1983-1987
Folder 8: Historical Committee, 1973-1975
Folder 9: Memorial Committee, 1971-1976
Folder 10: Men's Club: Historical Background, 1894-1945
Folder 11: Men's Club: Meeting Minutes, 1929-1939,1945
Folder 12: Men's Club: Treasurer's Record, 1941-1953

Box 11

Folder 1: Mission Council, 1970-1981
Folder 2: Music Committee, 1964-1977
Folder 3: Nominating Committee, 1959-1966, 1975, 1976
Folder 4: Organ Committee, 1968-1976
Folder 5: Organ Guild Treasurer Reports, 1926-1938
Folder 6-7: Minute Books, 1926-1933
Folder 8: Pastoral Relations Committee, 1972, 1976
Folder 9: Pulpit Committee (Pastorate Search), 1945
Folder 10: Refugee Committee, 1981-1985
Folder 11: Research Committee, 1978
Folder 12: Stewardship Committee, 1965-1987
Folder 13: Christian Enlistment Effort, 1969
Folder 14: Student Work Committee, 1966-1976

Box 12

Folder 1-9: Board of Trustees: Minutes, 1947-1968

Box 13

Folder 1-4: Board of Trustees: Minutes, 1969-1970, 1973-1980, 1983-1987
Folder 5: Board of Trustees: Manual for Trustees, 1947
Folder 6: Board of Trustees: Bonds, 1950-1953
Folder 7: Board of Trustees: Estate and Probate Documents, 1927-1961
Folder 8: Ushers, 1960-1971
Folder 9: Woman's Guild, Women's Fellowship, and Women's Society: Constitutions and Committee Duties, 1957, 1966, 1976, no date
Folder 10: Woman's Guild, Women's Fellowship, and Women's Society: Missionary Society Treasurer's Book, 1897-1933

Box 14

Folder 1-3: Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society Meeting: Minutes (4 volumes), 1895-1933
Folder 4: Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society Meeting: Roll Book and Dues (1 volume), 1908-1928,1929-1933
Folder 5: Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society Meeting: Correspondence, 1917,1923-1926, 1928,1930,1932-1933, no date
Folder 6-7: Women's Society: Minutes (2 volumes), 1911-1927

Box 15

Folder 1: Women's Society: Minutes(1 volume), 1927-1938
Folder 2: Women's Society: Reports, 1936-1937
Folder 3: Women's Society: Treasurer's Reports, 1944-1959
Folder 4: Women's Society: Journal (1 volume), 1951-1964
Folder 5: Women's Guild: Receipt Book (2 volumes), 1940-1951, 1955-1959
Folder 6: Women's Guild: Calendar, 1942-1943
Folder 7-8: Women's Guild: Meeting Minutes, 1950-1960
Folder 9: Women's Guild: Yearbooks, 1953, 1957-1960

Box 16

Folder 1: Circle II Meeting Record, 1978-1979
Folder 2: Circle Six of Women's Guild Meeting Minutes (1 volume), 1947-1952
Folder 3-4: Group Seven of the Congregational Church Meeting Minutes, 1945-1959
Folder 5-6: Women's Fellowship: Yearbooks, 1961-1986
Folder 7-12: Women's Fellowship: Meeting Minutes, 1960-1968, 1975-1988
Folder 13: Women's Fellowship: Committee Reports, 1977-1980, 1985-1986, no date
Folder 14: Women's Fellowship: Spring Spree, 1977-1978

Box 17

Folder 1: Women's Fellowship: Correspondence, 1936-1937, 1957, 1963-1964, 1969, 1974, 1976-1979, 1984-1988, no date
Folder 2: Women's Fellowship: Programs, 1962, 1964-1965, 1967, 1973, 1975-1978, no date
Folder 3: Women's Fellowship: Handbooks, 1968-1969, no date
Folder 4: Women's Fellowship: Cookbook
Folder 5: Manual for Women's Organizations, no date
Folder 6: Youth Ministry Committee, 1985-1987
Folder 7: Young Married Couples Club, 1932

Series IV: Building

Box 17

Folder 8: Building Program, 1947-1958
Folder 9: Church Site, 1948-1953
Folder 10: Construction, 1953
Folder 11: Contracts: New Church Construction, 1953-1954
Folder 12: Specifications and Correspondence, 1953
Folder 13: Correspondence: Church Construction Bids, 1953
Folder 14: Correspondence: New Church Architect, 1949-1954
Folder 15: Correspondence: New Church Furniture, 1953-1955
Folder 16: Correspondence: New Church Windows, 1953-1954
Folder 17: Parsonage Purchase and Assessments, 1956-1959
Folder 18: Purchase of Assistant Minister Parsonage, 1962-1963
Folder 19: Record of the New Building Project, 1944-1953
Folder 20: Sale of Old Parsonage, 1957
Folder 21: Trust Deed: New Church Construction Loan, 1954
Folder 22: Warranty Deeds of Church Property

Box 18

Folder 1: Waiver of Lien, 1963-1964
Folder 2: Correspondence: Building Committee, 1961-1963
Folder 3: Correspondence: Organ, 1972-1975
Folder 4: Correspondence: Pew Refinishing, 1965-1968
Folder 5: Correspondence: Refurbishing, 1963-1976
Folder 6: Building Contracts, 1963
Folder 7: Building Contracts and Correspondence, 1963-1977
Folder 8: Carillons, 1969
Folder 9: Rolfing Fund, 1961-1976
Folder 10: Handicapped Accessibility, 1986-1987

Series V: Church Activities

Box 18

Folder 11: 17/76 Achievement Fund, 1975-1976
Folder 12: Church Night, 1973-1976
Folder 13: Confirmation, 1984-1986
Folder 14: Congregators, 1970
Folder 15: Fellowship of Christian Athletics, 1973
Folder 16: First Sermon by Donald E. Mayer, May 1, 1977
Folder 17: News Releases, 1976
Folder 18: Pilgrim Fellowship, 1972-1977
Folder 19: Pilgrim Fellowship: Treasurer's Book (1 volume), 1949-1958

Box 19

Folder 1: Sunday School Record, 1902-1903
Folder 2: Sunday School Records: Accounts, 1965-1966
Folder 3: Sunday School Records: Certificates, 1907-1909
Folder 4: Church School, 1963-1977
Folder 5: Thanksgiving Services, 1969-1975
Folder 6-7: United Campus Christian Fellowship, 1945-1968
Folder 8: United Campus Ministries, 1969-1976
Folder 9: Youth Worker, 1972, 1975

Series VI: Audio-Visual

Box 19

Reel 1: Church Services (2 reel-to-reel cassettes), July 11,1965, August 8,1965, August 22, 1965, August 29, 1965

Box 20

Folder 1: Photographs: Church Members (13), circa 1912-1915
Folder 2: Photographs: Church Members (29, 1 negative), circa 1953-1955
Folder 3: Photographs: Original "School House" Church (1), 1854
Folder 4: Photographs: Old Church at 2nd and Grove (13, 1 negative), circa 1950
Folder 5: Photographs: New Church Construction (90, 6 negative), 1953
Folder 6: Photographs: New Church (18), circa 1954
Folder 7: Photographs: Confirmation Class (1), 1973

Oversize Box

Folder 1: 33 1/3 Recordings, Church Dedication Ceremony, October 17, 1954
Folder 2: 33 1/3 Recordings, Church Dedication Ceremony, October 17, 1954
Folder 3: 33 1/3 Recordings, Church Dedication Ceremony, October 17, 1954

Addendum 1

Sub-Series I: Administrative Records

Box 21

Folder 1: Historical Information (Time Capsule), 1921-1979
Folder 2: Annual Reports, 1991-2000
Folder 3: Congregational Meeting Minutes (Family Night and Business Meetings), 1967-1980
Folder 4: January Congregational Budget (Business Meeting ), 1990-2002
Folder 5: Fall Congregational Meeting, 1999-2000
Folder 6: Church Correspondence Regarding Stewardship, 1968-1973
Folder 7: Church Letters, 1967-1975
Folder 8-11: General Correspondence, 1951, 1972-1981

Box 22

Folder 1-3: General Correspondence, 1982-1983
Folder 4: Moore's Correspondence and Publications, 1986-1990
Folder 5: Secretary's File (Correspondence and News Releases), 1960-1972
Folder 6: Church Secretaries File (Correspondence and Writing Guide), 1990
Folder 7: Church Bulletins, 1981-1982
Folder 8: The Life Line (College Newsletter), 1980-1982

Sub-Series II: Membership

Box 22

Folder 9: Membership Directories and Correspondence, 1982-1988

Box 23

Folder 1: Church Directories, 1975, 1980-1981, 1985, 1992, no date
Folder 2-3: Letter of Dismission, 1-289, 1909-1945
Folder 4-7: Baptismal Certificates, Books I-VII, 1945-1958

Box 24

Folder 1-4: Baptismal Certificates, Books VIII-XV, 1958-1978
Folder 5: Church Attendance, 1949-1970
Folder 6: Calendars, 1983-1984

Sub-Series III: Committees

Box 24

Folder 7: Church Cabinet, 1978-1984
Folder 8: Board of Christian Education, 1979-1984

Box 25

Folder 1-2: Christian World Mission Committee, 1977-1981, 1983-1984
Folder 3-5: Board of Deacons, 1980-1981, 1983-1984, 1991-1992
Folder 6: Board of Deacons: Membership Reports, 1983-1986
Folder 7-8: Board of Deacons: Minutes, 1977-1986
Folder 9: Executive Committee, 1981, 1983

Box 26

Folder 1-2: Memorial Committee, 1948-1981
Folder 3: Memorial Committee, Memorial Gifts, 1945-1976
Folder 4: Ministry in Higher Education Committee, 1976-1981, 1983-1984
Folder 5-7: Music Committee, 1964-1981, 1983-1984
Folder 8: Pastor Search Committee, 1985-1986

Box 27

Folder 1: Stewardship Committee, 1946-1980
Folder 2-5: Board of Trustee, 1970-1975, 1978-1981, 1983-1984
Folder 6-7: Board of Trustee: Financial Reports, 1977-1982

Box 28

Folder 1: Board of Trustee: Insurance Proposal, July 3,1979
Folder 2: Board of Trustee: Jeanette Dewey Trust Fund, 1937-1944
Folder 3: Board of Trustee: Loans, 1979
Folder 4: Board of Trustee: Minutes, 1979-1981
Folder 5: Board of Trustee: Organ and Music Committee, 1978
Folder 6: Board of Trustee: Salaries Guidelines, 1978-1979
Folder 7: Women's Fellowship, 1980-1981, 1983-1984
Folder 8: Youth Ministry Committee, 1980-1981, 1983-1984

Sub-Series IV: Building

Box 28

Folder 9: Building Committee, 1947-1971
Folder 10: Specifications of a Two Manual & Pedal Pipe Organ, 5508
Folder 11: Organ Contract, 1974
Folder 12: Parsonage Tax Exempt Status, 1893

Sub-Series V: Church Activities

Box 28

Folder 13: Christmas Pageant of the Nativity, 1944
Folder 14-15: Confirmation, 1973-1978, 1980, 1983-1984
Folder 16: Consultation on Church Union (COCU), 1971

Box 29

Folder 1: DeKalb County Nursing Home, Reality House, 1971, 1979
Folder 2: Emphasis Questionnaire, 1969
Folder 3: "Listening and Enlisting", 1985
Folder 4: PF (Pilgrim Fellowship), 1979-1980
Folder 5: PF (Pilgrim Fellowship): Junior High Pilgrim Fellowship, 1982-1983
Folder 6: PF (Pilgrim Fellowship): Senior High Pilgrim Fellowship, 1982-1983
Folder 7: News Releases, 1970-1984
Folder 8: Recreators, 1983
Folder 9: Church School, 1963, 1967-1975
Folder 10: Sunday School Lesson Books (3 volumes), no date
Folder 11: Whitmore, Alice Barber, Programs and Cards, Church and Personal Information, 1896-1976
Folder 12: Diary (Unidentified Person), 1859-1862

Sub-Series VI: Audio-Visual

Box 29

Folder 13-14: Photographs (43), 1953-1955, no date

Oversize Drawer 20

Folder 4: Architectural Drawings (14), 1951-1937