Spring Creek United Church of Christ (Rockford), 1960+ | Northern Illinois University

Collection Overview

Title: Spring Creek United Church of Christ (Rockford), 1960+

ID: RHC/RC/287

Extent: 8.5 Linear Feet. More info below.

Date Acquired: 11/28/2007. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Congregationalists, Rockford (Ill.), Spring Creek Congregational Church, Rockford, Spring Creek United Church of Christ, Rockford, United Church of Christ

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The collection contains both paper and electronic documents pertaining to the history of the Spring Creek Congregational Church since its founding by Reverend Richard J. Nielsen in 1960.

The collection includes annual meetings, reports, financial reports, and building development and construction. Numerous church committees are represented, some extensively, through meeting agendas and minutes, and miscellaneous correspondence. Those committees include: Cabinet, Christian Education, Commitment Ministry, Council, Diaconate, Finance Ministry, Growth and Evangelism, Memorial, Mission Board, Music, Nominating, Pastoral Care, Steering, and Worship Ministry.

Additional papers in this portion of the collection include newsletters, membership lists, pictorial directories and guest books, as well as photos, press clippings, correspondence, and scrapbook pages documenting church retreats, missionary service, and community outreach.

The collection also includes scrapbooks, chronicling the weekly church service bulletins, press clippings about the church and its members, photographs, weddings, and other special services. Documents contained in the scrapbooks range from 1960 until 2011.

Electronic records may be accessed in the Center’s reading room.

Collection Historical Note

On February 1, 1960, Reverend Richard J. Nielsen was sent by the Congregational Church Conference of Illinois to Rockford, for the purpose of formulating two new churches. Originally meeting in the various homes of its first members, the churches later moved to local elementary schools. They were named the Woodside Congregational Church and the Spring Creek Congregational Church. The Spring Creek Congregational Church began with a parish of only 16 members. On January 5, 1961, the membership of 63 invited Nielsen to become its permanent pastor. By its one-year anniversary in the spring of that same year, its membership reached 80 members.

The church’s tremendous initial growth necessitated plans to construct a church building on a parcel of land owned by the church, located on Spring Creek Road in Rockford. Ground was broken in the summer of 1962, and the newly-constructed, $95,000.00 building was ready for occupancy by the spring of 1963. The first service in the church’s new permanent home was held on Palm Sunday, April 7, 1963. Nielsen left the church in 1964 to pastor a church in Elkhart, IN. He was replaced in the interim by Dr. Charles Cooley. In that same year, the ever-expanding Sunday school prompted the building of an education wing.

Reverend William Bartholomew served as pastor from 1965 until 1973. During Bartholomew’s ministry, both the music and sports programs expanded and a ball field was built. Bartholomew continued to be a member of the church and served as Jail Chaplain in the Rockford area for many years. Reverend John P. Jewell served as Associate Pastor from 1969-1971, and was succeeded by the Reverend Daniel Schiefeling, who served as Assistant Minister and then sole minister from 1971-1974. Schiefeling helped to expand the church’s youth ministry as well as adult education programs. Chaplain Rex Hanks assisted with sermons during this time as well. In 1973, Peggy Guedet and Scott Ballard served as the church’s first missionaries by serving in Bali.

Reverend Walter B. McMullen became Minister in 1974 and served until 1979. During this time the Shepherd plan for the Diaconate began, as did the monthly Presidential Prayer Breakfasts. The Spring Creek Church was led in the interim period of May, 1979 to February, 1980 by Drs. Leslie Kingsbury and Joel Tibbets - while Betty Kingsbury acted as visitation person, and Barbara Ballard handled organization duties.

Reverend Merle Steva led the congregation from 1980 until his retirement on April 30, 1993. During Steva’s tenure as Minister, the church resumed two worship services, expanded Sunday school programs, and continued its very active youth, music, and numerous community outreach ministries. Reverend Eric Dale served as interim pastor from 1993 to 1994, at which time Reverend Jack Kraaz was invited to serve as Minister. Kraaz served from 1994-2000, at which time he accepted a position to head up a UCC missions church in Surprise, Arizona.

Reverend Janet Shelter served as Interim Pastor from 2000-2001, at which time the church invited Reverend Michael Simmons to become Pastor.

In 2005, the church undertook another major construction project, which included the construction of a new sanctuary, narthex, additional office space, bathrooms, and the re-paving of the parking lot. The cost of the project was $1,200,000.00. At the time of this most recent major construction, the Spring Creek Congregational Church, who had been a part of the United Church of Christ since 1957, became recognized officially as the Spring Creek United Church of Christ. This was evidenced by their new outside marquis, church bulletins, and the church website bearing their new name. In November of 2007, the congregation voted to become the Rockford area’s first Open and Affirming (ONA) church. As of 2008, Reverend Simmons continued as Pastor. Joanne Buss served as Associate Pastor from 2004-2007. In July, 2008, the church reported approximately 275 members, and continued their very active ministries in the areas of commitment, fellowship, shepherding, building and grounds, music, and worship. They also continued to reach out to the Rockford community, sponsor mission work, and offer support to charitable organizations throughout the United States and the entire world.

Subject/Index Terms

Congregationalists
Rockford (Ill.)
Spring Creek Congregational Church, Rockford
Spring Creek United Church of Christ, Rockford
United Church of Christ

Administrative Information

Repository: Northern Illinois University

Accruals: Additional records were added at later dates.

Alternate Extent Statement: 1,319 digital files (625 MB)

Access Restrictions: There are not restrictions on access to the collection.

Use Restrictions: Property rights in the collection belong to the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Acquisition Source: Pastor Michael O. Simmons, Nancy Houtz, and Steven Tirrell

Acquisition Method: Pastor Michael O. Simmons, Nancy Houtz, and Steven Tirrell, donated the records of the Spring Creek United Church of Christ to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center on November 28, 2007.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[Box 5],
[Box 6],
[Box 7],
[Volume 1: Scrapbook (1 volume), 1969],
[Oversize Drawer 21],
[Oversize Drawer 22],
[Addendum 1],
[Addendum 2],
[Addendum 3],
[All]

Box 1

Folder 1: Historical Information, 1960-2007

Folder 2: "A History and Growth of Congregationalism in Rockford, Illinois", Linda J. Anderson, Submitted for Honors Work in the Department of History, Illinois Wesleyan University, 1969

Folder 3: Annual Financial Meetings, January 26, 1975-1988

Folder 4: Annual Financial Reports, January 24, 1989-January 25, 2000

Folder 5: Annual Meeting, 1966-1978

Folder 6: Annual Meeting Minutes; Annual Financial Meeting Minutes, 1982-1994, 1989-1992

Folder 7-9: Annual Reports, 1974-1999, 2010-2011

Folder 7-8: Annual Reports, 1974-1999

Box 2

Folder 1: Board of Christian Education, 1965, November 2, no date

Folder 2: Building and Grounds Ministry: Meeting Minutes, January 21, 1997-November 14, 2000

Folder 3: Building and Grounds Ministry: Building Committee, Welton Ballard, Chairman, History, Correspondence, Photos, Specifications, and Notes, 1961-1963

Folder 4: Building and Grounds Ministry: Specifications of Materials and Labor for Complete Construction, Addendums, and Specifications of Material and Labor for Complete 24, Construction, May 23, 1962, June 6, 1962, June 7, 1962, June 25, 1962, March 1965

Folder 5: Building and Grounds Ministry: Construction Photos of New Addition, March 17, 2005

Folder 6-8: Cabinet Meeting Minutes, January 20, 1970-December 13, 1994

Folder 9: Christian Education Ministry Meeting Minutes, January 14, 1997-January 11, 2000

Folder 10: Commitments Committee Charitable Suggestions, 2002

Folder 11: Commitment Ministry: Agendas and Minutes, June 4, 1996-December 5, 2000

Folder 12: Commitment Ministry: Community Letters and Correspondence, December 1997-June, 2001

Folder 13: Commitment Ministry: Reports and Correspondence, 1984-1999, no date

Box 3

Folder 1: Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes, January 21, 1997-December 19, 2000, no date

Folder 2: Diaconate Meeting Minutes and Treasurer's Reports, November 16, 1976-December 22, 1983

Folder 3: Diaconate Survey Committee Letter, May 11, 1987

Folder 4: Finance Ministry Meeting Minutes and Financial Reports, February 11, 1997-November, 2000

Folder 5: Financial Reports, Board and Committee Notes, Miscellaneous Papers, 1984, no date

Folder 6: Growth and Evangelism, 1997-2000

Folder 7: Memorials Committee: Minutes and Notes, 1979-1995, no date

Folder 8: Memorials Committee: Miscellaneous Purchases, Programs, Policies, and Notes, 1987-1999, no date

Folder 9: Memorials Committee: Notes and Correspondence, 1963-1974, no date

Folder 10: Memorials Committee: Reports, 1971, 1990-1994, no date

Folder 11: Memorials Fund: Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1979-1999, no date

Folder 12: Memorials Fund: Reports and Treasurer's Reports, 1987-1994, 1992

Folder 13: Memorials Fund: Memorials Unlisted Gifts List, 1967-1988

Folder 14: Mission: Board Minutes, November 27, 1984-March 21, 1995

Folder 15: Mission: Treasurer's Reports, 1984-February, 1996

Folder 16: Music Committee Meeting Minutes, Correspondence, and Budget Items, 1967-1977, no date

Box 4

Folder 1: Nominating Committee, 1982

Folder 2: Pastoral Care, February 13, 1997-December 7, 2000

Folder 3: Steering Committee Minutes, and Miscellaneous Correspondence, April 13, 1960-January 5, 1961, 1961-1974, no date

Folder 4: Worship Ministry Meeting Minutes, January 7, 1997-November 14, 2000

Folder 5: Women's Fellowship - Collections Coffee, October 19, no date

Folder 6-7: Newsletters, February 21, 1973-June 19, 1974

Folder 8: Membership Lists and Information, 1961-1983, no date

Folder 9: Pictorial Directories, 1969, 1985

Folder 10: Guest Book from 15th Anniversary, January 11, 1976

Folder 11: Listing of Ushers, and Usher Duties, no date, 1995-1998

Folder 12: Bulletin, October 11, 1981

Folder 13: Christian Marriage Enrichment Retreat, September 20-22, 1974

Folder 14: Ministry Retreat, June 1, 1996

Folder 15: Theology of Stewardship, May, 1994, no date

Folder 16: Mission Opportunities, 2000-2002

Folder 17: Heifer Project International, 1991-2001

Folder 18: Easter Service Photo in Rockford Register Star, Monday, April 9, 1985

Folder 19: Proposal, Church Building Construction Protestant Christian, Church in Bali, "Bethlehem" Untal-Untal Congregation, April, 1999

Folder 20: Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ, 1999, 2000

Folder 21: Press Clippings, 1973, 1983, 1984, no date

Folder 22: Tower Hill Retreat Pictures, 1984

Folder 23: Vacation Bible School Scrap Book, 1993

Folder 24: Noah's Ark Money and Supplies Collection Scrap Book Page, and Support for Mountain Top Mission in Haiti Student Sponsors' Photos, 2000, no date

Box 5

Item 1: Scrapbooks: 1963-1972

Item 2: Scrapbooks: 1967

Item 3: Scrapbooks: 1968

Item 4: Scrapbooks: 1970-1971

Item 5: Scrapbooks: 1973-1977

Item 6: Scrapbooks: 1977-1978

Box 6

Item 1: Scrapbooks: 1978-1980

Item 2: Scrapbooks: 1979

Item 3: Scrapbooks: 1981

Item 4: Scrapbooks: 1995-1999

Item 5: Scrapbooks: 2000-2002

Box 7

Item 1: Scrapbooks: 1960-1962

Item 2: Scrapbooks: 1980-1989

Volume 1: Scrapbook (1 volume), 1969

Oversize Drawer 21

Folder 1: Guest Book, 1961-1967

Folder 2: Vacation Bible School Scrapbook Pages, 2001

Folder 3-4: Rockford Urban Ministries Trifold Displays of Miscellaneous Photos, 1998-2006

Oversize Drawer 22

Folder 1: Site Plans and Topographical Maps (7), 1961

Folder 2

Item 1: A. Rayner Eastman Revised Scheme #3, (1), Education Building Addition (1), Plat of Survey, Duane F. Lillie, Civil Engineer and Surveyor (1), January 8, 1962, March 24, 1965, March 30, 1967

Item 2: Fellowship Hall Addition Blueprints, Odling Construction and Arnold Lundgren, Plat of Survey (6), and 2 (4), 1987; November 22, 2003

Item 3: Saavedra Gehlhausen Architects Site Plans and Floor Plans 1

Item 4: Saavedra and Gehlhausen Demolition Plan (3), 2005

Item 5: Floor Plan #1 Blueprint (1), no date

Item 6: Floor Plan #2 Blueprint (1), no date

Folder 3: A. Reyner Eastman Original Plans, Complete (16), May 23, 1962

Folder 4

Item 1: Floor Plans and Mechanical (4), May 23, 1962

Item 2: Fellowship Hall (a.k.a. Fireside Room) Addition, Building Plans (5), 1986-1987

Folder 5: A. Reyner Eastman Architects Complete Set (16), 1962

Folder 6: Original Building Plan Blueprints, Addition (18), circa 1962, 1965

Folder 7: Educational Building Addition (5), March 24, 1965

Folder 8: Education Wind Addition (5), 1965

Folder 9: Patio Court Construction, Preliminary Concept (7), September 8, 1976

Folder 10: Fellowship Hall (a.k.a. Fireside Room) Addition, Sign (1), Building Plans (2), Foundation Plans (5), 1985-1987, 1985, 1987

Folder 11: Fellowship Addition Second Floor (11), May 11, 1987

Folder 12: Saavedra Gehlhausen Architects, Parking Lot and Grounds (2), Demolition Plan (2), 2005

Folder 13: Saavedra Gehlhausen Architects Addition to and Remodeling of Spring Creek United Church of Christ (35), March 15, 2005

Addendum 1

Box 8

Folder 1: List of Pastors, 1960-2007

Folder 2: Thanksgiving (11 photographs), 1962-1964

Folder 3: Member List, 1964

Folder 4: Nielsen's Resignation Letter, 1964

Folder 5: Educational Wing Opening, 1965

Folder 6: Constitution, 1967, no date

Folder 7: Church History, 1970

Folder 8: Certificate of Appreciation, 1984-1986

Folder 9: Newspapers, 1984-1987, no date

Folder 10: Book of Prayers, Spring 2003

Folder 11: History Digitization Record, 2006

Folder 12: Christmas Cards and Letters, 2006

Folder 13: Pastor Simmon's Sabbatical Journal, 2008

Folder 14: Newsletters, May 2010-June 2011

Folder 15: 50th Anniversary Event Guide, 2011

Folder 16: 50th Anniversary Program Booklet, 2011

Folder 17: Bulletins, (2011)

Box 9

Folder 1: Photographs: Pastor Photographs, 1960-1979

Folder 2: Photographs: Choirs, 1960's

Folder 3: Photographs: Congregation Members, 1960's

Folder 4: Photographs: New Building, 1962

Folder 5: Photographs: Children's Choir, 1965, no date

Folder 6: Photographs: Educational Wing Groundbreaking, 1965

Folder 7: Photographs: Church Groups and Christmas, 1966

Folder 8: Photographs: Unidentified Photographs, 1970's

Folder 9: Photographs: Day Camp, 1978

Folder 10: Photographs: Chili Shindig, 1987

Folder 11: Photographs: Exercise Group, 1995

Folder 12: Photographs: Exercise Group, 1999

Folder 13: Photographs: Staff Photographs, 2001

Folder 14: Photographs: Women's Banquet, 2001

Folder 15: Photographs: Grounds, 2002

Folder 16: Photographs: Confirmation, 2002

Folder 17: Photographs: Sunday School Adult Education, 2002

Folder 18: Photographs: Bug Safari, 2002

Folder 19: Photographs: Building and Grounds Log Jam, 2002

Folder 20: Photographs: Paint-A-Thon, 2002

Folder 21: Photographs: Christmas, 2002

Folder 22: Photographs: Soup Kitchen Crew, 2002

Folder 23: Photographs: Blessing of Bears, 2003

Folder 24: Photographs: Scenic 150 Bike Tour, 2003

Folder 25: Photographs: Smith (Fred) Farewell, 2003

Folder 26: Photographs: Thanksgiving, 2003

Folder 27: Photographs: Christmas, 2001, 2003

Folder 28: Photographs: Bible Study, 2004

Folder 29: Photographs: Women's Banquet, 2004

Folder 30: Photographs: Confirmation, 2004

Folder 31: Photographs: Kids Club, 2004

Folder 32: Photographs: Scenic 150 Bike Tour, 2004-2005

Folder 33: Photographs: Paint-A-Thon, 2004

Folder 34: Photographs: Women's Retreat, 2004

Folder 35: Photographs: Thanksgiving, 2004

Folder 36: Photographs: January Retreat, 2005

Folder 37: Photographs: New Building, 2005

Folder 38: Photographs: Stover (Viola) Birthday, 2005

Folder 39: Photographs: Women's Banquet, 2005

Folder 40: Photographs: Pork Chop Fellowship, 2005

Folder 41: Photographs: Kids Club, 2005

Folder 42: Photographs: Summer Exp, 2005

Folder 43: Photographs: Anniversary, 2005

Folder 44: Photographs: Rally Day, 2005

Folder 45: Photographs: Women's Retreat, 2005

Folder 46: Photographs: Exercise Group, 2005

Folder 47: Photographs: Unidentified Photographs, 2005

Folder 48: Photographs: Unidentified Photographs, 2006

Folder 49: Photographs: Confirmation, 2008

Folder 50: Book Presentation (2 Photo CDs), 2010-2011

Folder 51: "Michael's Last Service," (DVD), March 25, 2012

Folder 52: Photographs: Confirmation Class at Emmanuel's Soup Kitchen, no date

Folder 53: Photographs: Kid's Club, no date

Folder 54: Photographs: Steeple, no date

Folder 55: Photographs: Paster Mike, no date

Folder 56: Photographs: Identified Photographs, no date, 1994

Folder 57: Photographs: Unidentified Photographs, no date

Box 10

Item 1: Thanksgiving Scrapbook, 1961-1962

Item 2: Scrapbook, 1960-1961

Box 11

Item 1: Scrapbook, 1963-1965

Box 12

Folder 1: Scrapbook, 1985, 1987

Folder 2-3: Scrapbook, 1980-2005

Folder 4: Scrapbook, 2001-2002

Folder 5-6: Scrapbook, 2003-2005

Folder 7-12: Scrapbook, 2006-2011

Addendum 2

Box 13

Folder 1: Annual Reports, 1991-1994, 2002-2006

Folder 2: Annual Reports, 2007-2013

Folder 3: Annual Financial Reports, 1993-1994

Folder 4: By-Laws, 2009

Folder 5-6: 50th Anniversary Cards Addressed to Future Members, 2011

Folder 7-9: Council Records, 2001-2003

Folder 10-15: Council Records, 2007-2013

Folder 16: Bulletins, January-June 2012

Folder 17: Bulletins, July-December 2012

Folder 18-25: "Comments", 2006-2013

Folder 26: Depositions, 1980-1993

Folder 27: Directory, 2007-2008

Folder 28: Fathers' Day Mass Booklet, 2013

Folder 29: Digital Archives SCUSS, 2008-2014

Folder 30: Celebrating The Installation Of Pastor Ivan Schoen Program, February 17, 2013

Folder 31: Memorial Program Larry H. Bolduc, 2013

Folder 32: Spring Creek Sampler II, Cookbook, 1981

Folder 33: Photographs of Old Spring Creek Sign, 2011

Folder 34: Promotional Materials, 2010-2014

Addendum 3

Box 13

Folder 35: UCC History and Program, 1974

Folder 36: Constitution and By-Laws, May 1984

Folder 37: Annual Reports, 2014-2015

Folder 38: Church Meetings and Agendas, 2011-2014

Folder 39-40: Bulletins, 2013-2017

Box 14

Folder 1: Correspondence, 1982-2014

Folder 2: Devotionals, Women's Resource Team, 1991-1992

Folder 3: Financial Records, 1988, 1998

Folder 4: Funeral and Wedding Ceremonies, 2012-2017

Folder 5: Clippings, 2012- 2015

Folder 6: Newsletters, January 2012-June 2015

Folder 7: Photographs, no date

Folder 8: Schermer Pecans Correspondence, 1991-1997

Folder 9: Story of Pilgrims Event, November 1964

Folder 10: Women's Christian Fellowship Guild (WCFG) Constitution and By-Laws, 1982-1997

Folder 11: WCFG Annual Reports, 1982-1997

Folder 12: WCFG Board Meeting Minutes, 1989-2002

Folder 13: WCFG Board Members and Officers, 1990-2013

Folder 14: WCFG Finances, 1994, 2001

Folder 15: WCFG Programs, 1991-1997

Folder 16: WCFG Interests and Participation Survey, September 1997