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]

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