.
Collection Overview
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
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:
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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
- CD format
- 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
- CD format
- 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
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]