Rockford First Lutheran Church Records, 1853-2005 | Northern Illinois University

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Collection Overview

Title: Rockford First Lutheran Church Records, 1853-2005

ID: RHC/RC/083

Extent: 39.25 Linear Feet

Arrangement:

The first series contains the church’s historical files.

The files dating 1854-1979 are arranged alphabetically by subject and the files dating 1853-1899 are arranged chronologically. Series two contains minutes, reports, correspondence and agreements from the administrative bodies of the church.

All materials in this series are arranged chronologically with each subseries. In all cases materials are arranged chronologically by type. The records of several church organizations make up series four. Records of official pastoral acts and membership are found in series six.

Date Acquired: 11/21/1979. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Augustana Synod, Diaries-- 1840-1869, Diaries-- 1870-1909, First Lutheran Church (Rockford, Ill.), Lutherans, Nelson, John, Prohibition, Rockford (Ill.), Rockford Mitten and Hosiery Company, Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod in North America, Swedish Americans, Swedish Americans- Illinios- Rockford, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Diaries

Languages: English, Swedish

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The materials in this collection provide extensive documentation of the origins and growth of First Lutheran Church and of Rockford’s Swedish community from 1853 to 1970. The collection is arranged in six series which provide fairly complete information on all aspects of the history of the church. Researchers should note that although much of the pre-1930 material is in the Swedish language, translations of some of the core records are included.

The first series contains the church’s historical files. The materials in this series were put together to aid in the preparation of the church’s centennial album (1954) and were updated thereafter. The files dating 1854-1979 are arranged alphabetically by subject and the files dating 1853-1899 are arranged chronologically. Also contained in this series are anniversary albums and programs; publications; materials relating to prominent church members; newspaper clippings and photographs and date 1856-1969. This series serves as an outline of the subjects and types of materials found in the rest of the collection.

Series two contains minutes, reports, correspondence and agreements from the administrative bodies of the church. Included in this series are minutes of annual congregational meetings, 1854-1969; minutes of Deacons and Trustees joint meetings, 1864-1943; minutes of Trustees meetings, Trustees’ correspondence, agreements, and reports, (1889-1966); minutes of Deacons meetings, 1944-1966; minutes, resolutions, and correspondence of the Church Council and Board of Administration, (1957-1977). All materials in this series are arranged chronologically with each subseries. Microfilmed minutes, which were added at a later time, are in Box 38A.

The church’s general financial records are found in series three and span the years 1854-1978. Types of materials include: general ledgers, 1883-1895, (1912-1961); annual statements, 1854-1968; treasurer’s reports, (1897-1960); day books, (1868-1929); dues records, 1864-1976, 1898-1906, 1916-1929; pledges, 1929-1968; Savings Bank records, (1876-1902); and J. Godfrey Grant legacy account, 1920-1942. In all cases materials are arranged chronologically by type. Researchers should note that printed monthly reports containing financial data are located in series six.

The records of several church organizations make up series four and span the entire history of the church. Types of materials found in this series include minutes, financial records, membership data, programs, publications, and scrapbooks. The activities of the following organizations are partially documented: Brotherhood, 1926-1953; Jubilee Chorus, 1904-1954; Ladies Aid Society, 1883-1958; Luther League, 1877-1965; Sunday School, 1870-1966; and missionary societies, 1870-1960. Although there are gaps in the records of all the listed organizations, documentation for the Brotherhood, Luther League, and missionary societies is the most comprehensive.

Series five contains printed materials from First Lutheran including monthly reports (1909-1959); bulletins, (1892-1978); and newsletters, 1957-1978. Also contained in this series is publications from the district, synod, and national levels.

Records of official pastoral acts and membership are found in series six. Types of materials include: original members, 1894; membership records, 1929-1954; confirmation data, 1857-1955; and transfer records, 1929-1954. Although the bulk of the records of official acts remain with the church at this time, the Center expects First Lutheran to add these materials to the collection in 1980 or 1981.

Collection Historical Note

In the fall of 1853 Dr. Erland Carlsson of Chicago visited the new Scandinavian community in Rockford to see if it was feasible to organize a new congregation. As a result of this meeting a formal petition was sent to the United Chicago and Mississippi Conference requesting that a pastor be sent to Rockford to organize a church. Dr. Carlsson returned to Rockford on January 15, 1854 and met with the group to organize the Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran congregation. The congregation’s first deacons were John Peterson and Jonas Larson and the trustees chosen were John Lundback and Joseph Lindgren. The new church’s first regular pastor, Andress Andreen, began his duties in 1856.

From 1854 to 1860 First Lutheran belonged to the Synod of Northern Illinois but in 1860 the congregation decided to join the newly created Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod of North America. This synod became predominantly Swedish-American in 1870 when Norwegian Lutherans withdrew their congregation. The tremendous growth of the Swedish community in Rockford after the Civil War led to increased membership rolls at First Lutheran. To accommodate this growth the church erected three new structures in 1865, 1870 and the building currently in use, 1884. Despite a split in the congregation in 1883, which led to the formation of a new church, First Lutheran’s growth continued and the church expanded its activities. Among the many organizations founded during the last half of the 19th century were: Sunday School, 1853; Temperance Society, 1857; Savings Bank, 1869; Youth Society, 1878; Ladies Aid Society, 1883; and Women’s Missionary Society, 1890.

In addition to their church activities, many of First Lutheran’s members were beginning to make their mark in Rockford’s business community, especially in the knitting and furniture industries. John Nelson moved to the forefront of the knitting industry when he perfected and patented a machine which would knit a stocking automatically. Besides his role in the Nelson Knitting Co., John Nelson also helped to organize the Rockford Mitten Co. in 1881. The furniture industry attracted many of First Lutheran’s members including S. A. Johnson, L. M. Noling, August Peterson and A. P. Floberg who were the chief officers of the Central Furniture Co. organized in 1879. Several other furniture companies, including Forest City Furniture Co. and Union Furniture Co. were organized by members of First Lutheran and provided employment for many members.

As the congregation approached its 50th anniversary in 1904, First Lutheran had grown to become one of the largest Swedish Lutheran congregations in the United States and one of the dominant forces in the spiritual, economic, and political life of Rockford. The history of First Lutheran in the twentieth century revolves around the lengthy pastorates of Johann F. Seedhoff (1896-1927) and Albert Loreen (1928-1956). During the early years under Pastor Seedhoff First Lutheran added to its property, played an active role in the temperance movement in Rockford, and entered the growing debate over the transition from Swedish to English in church services.

By the 1920’s, declining memberships, controversy over the Grant estate, and the congregation’s dissatisfaction with Pastor Seedhoff’s leadership led to his resignation in 1927. Albert Loreen began his lengthy term as pastor in 1928 and under his direction First Lutheran completed the transition to the English language, became more directly involved in youth programs, care for the elderly, and hospital work. In the mid-1950’s First Lutheran joined with other members of the Augustana Synod and entered into discussions with other Lutheran church bodies which culminated in the formation of the Lutheran Church in America in 1962.

Despite pressures to relocate due to population shifts, First Lutheran remains in the center of the old Swedish neighborhood and continues to use the church built in 1884.

Subject/Index Terms

Augustana Synod
Diaries-- 1840-1869
Diaries-- 1870-1909
First Lutheran Church (Rockford, Ill.)
Lutherans
Nelson, John
Prohibition
Rockford (Ill.)
Rockford Mitten and Hosiery Company
Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod in North America
Swedish Americans
Swedish Americans- Illinios- Rockford
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Diaries

Administrative Information

Repository: Northern Illinois University

Accruals: Additional records were added at later dates.

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

Use Restrictions: Property rights in the collection are held by First Lutheran Church; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Acquisition Source: Reverend Arne Peterson

Acquisition Method: Reverend Arne Peterson deposited the records of First Lutheran Church with the Northern Illinois Regional History Center on November 21, 1979.

Related Materials: Researchers using this collection may also wish to consult other related manuscript collections held by the Regional History Center: Salem Lutheran Church, Sandwich (RC 84); Rockford Mitten and Hosiery (RC 38); Rockford Chair and Furniture (RC 42); Rockford Small Business (RC 57); National Chair (RC 59); Good Templars, (RC 66).

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series I: Historical Files],
[Series II: Administrative Material],
[Series III: Financial Records],
[Series IV: Church Organizations],
[Series V: First Lutheran],
[Series VI: Membership and Pastorial Records],
[Addendum I: June 1985],
[Addendum II: July 1998],
[Addendum III: April 2005],
[All]

Series I: Historical Files

Sub-Series A: 1854-1979 (Alphabetical)

Box 1

Folder 1: Acolytes, 1964
Folder 2: Activity reports of pastor and assistants, 1971-1975
Folder 3: Alter Guild; manuals, 1944, 1947
Folder 4: Anderson family
Folder 5: Anderson, Johannes
Folder 6: Anderson, Lars Peter
Folder 7: Anniversary clippings and letters
Folder 8: Anniversary programs, 1904-1964
Folder 9-10: Annual reports, 1939-1978
Folder 11: Appraisal, 1975
Folder 12: Archives
Folder 13: Augustana Synod, 1930, 1960
Folder 14: Basketball
Folder 15-16: Bell correspondence, 1890-1905
Folder 17: Bethpage mission
Folder 18: Bjork, Anna
Folder 19: Blueprints, Church and Loreen Hall
Folder 20: Borgren, Bertha; Estate, 1974
Folder 21: Boy Scouts and Pro Deo Et Patria
Folder 22: Brotherhood, 1954-1965
Folder 23: Budgets, 1971-1974
Folder 24: Building Fund, 1952
Folder 25: Business agreements, 1956-1958
Folder 26: Centennial album worksheet, 1954
Folder 27: Challenge, 1974-1975
Folder 28: Chapel; South Park, 1904
Folder 29: Chaplain, Army (Neal Pearson)
Folder 30: Charter members, 1854
Folder 31: Chinquist and Wenstrom
Folder 32: Choir, architect, 1883
Folder 33: Choir Brotherhood, 1927
Folder 34: Choir directors
Folder 35: Choir, Jubilee
Folder 36: Choir, Junior
Folder 37: Choir programs, 1906-1975
Folder 38: Choir school
Folder 39: Choir, senior
Folder 40: Church camp, Lutherdale
Folder 41: Church correspondence, 1954-1956
Folder 42: Church history; Constitution, 1852-1883, 1874
Folder 43: Church lighting
Folder 44: Church members, 19th century
Folder 45: Church pageant, 1954
Folder 46: Church properties, 1882-1892, 1941-1947
Folder 47: Church repairs, 1902-1967
Folder 48: Church split, 1882
Folder 49: Conference meeting, housing, 1917
Folder 50: Confirmation; Adult, 1859-1961
Folder 51: Confirmation classes, 1859-1954
Folder 52: Confirmation reunions, 1897-1964
Folder 53: Congregational banquets, 1935-1948
Folder 54: Constitutions, 1874, 1887, 1965-1966
Folder 55: Contributions, 1900-1901
Folder 56: Cottage meetings, 1963

Box 2

Folder 1: Debt fund contributions, 1899
Folder 2: Early members
Folder 3: Erlander, John and Albert
Folder 4: Florin, Anna Sophia
Folder 5: Funerals
Folder 6: Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), 1901
Folder 7: Gas rationing, 1944
Folder 8: Genealogies
Folder 9: Grant Legacy account, 1920-1925
Folder 10: Haight Village restoration
Folder 11: House Purchase, 1974-1975
Folder 12: Illinois Conference, 1899,1917, 1936
Folder 13: Insurance, 1893, 1907, 1960
Folder 14: Interns
Folder 15: Interviews with older families
Folder 16: Johnson, Swen A.; family history, 1852- 1952
Folder 17: Kuter, Mrs. Mary
Folder 18: Ladies Aid, handbooks
Folder 19: Lay assistants
Folder 20: Lent
Folder 21: Letters to congregation, 1954-1959
Folder 22: Lindahl, Petter Pehrson
Folder 23: Loreen, Albert; character sketches, 1971- 1972
Folder 24: Loreen Albert; meditations, 1971
Folder 25: Loreen Hall, 1950
Folder 26: Lundvall, Elsie, 1974
Folder 27: Luther Hall; Broadway Chapel Swede School2
Folder 28: Luther League, 1914-1961
Folder 29: Luther League; Texas Convention, 1960
Folder 30: Lutheran Church Men, programs
Folder 31: Lutheran Church Women
Folder 32: Lutheran Church Women, programs
Folder 33: Lutheran Church Women; yearbooks, 1959-1974
Folder 34: Lutheran World Action
Folder 35: Melodian
Folder 36: Membership, circa 1899
Folder 37: Memorial plan
Folder 38: Microfilm project, 1970
Folder 39: Midsommar Hogmassa, 1970-1972
Folder 40: Missionaries
Folder 41: Missionary Guild
Folder 42: Mr. and Mrs. Club, 1951,1955
Folder 43: Music, 1930-1966
Folder 44: Newspaper clippings, First Lutheran
Folder 45: Newspaper clippings, Luther Center
Folder 46: Ordinations, 1929, 1970, 1974
Folder 47: Organ
Folder 48: Organ recitals
Folder 49: Organists, 1854-1974
Folder 50: Partners in Prayer
Folder 51: Pastor George P. Bernard, 1957-1959
Folder 52: Pastor Joel Haff, 1895-1896
Folder 53: Pastor L. A. Johnson, 1886-1894
Folder 54: Pastor P. Gerald Leaf, 1970-1976
Folder 55: Pastor Albert Loreen, 1928-1977
Folder 56: Pastor Loreen, weekly devotions, 1973-1974
Folder 57: Pastor Raymond A. Mai, 1974
Folder 58: Pastor Philip Nelson, 1962-1969
Folder 59: Pastor Gustav Peters, 1882-1918
Folder 60: Pastor Arne Peterson, 1977
Folder 61: Pastor Johann F. Seedhoff, 1926-1939
Folder 62: Pastor Melvin H. Sjostrand, 1959-1961
Folder 63: Pastoral acts, 1903-1928
Folder 64: Pastors' calls, 1886, 1927
Folder 65: Peters, Gustaf; Autobiography and Diary, 1859-1867
Folder 66: Peterson, P. A., Home
Folder 67: Prayer vigil, 1961
Folder 68: Programs; Augustana Synod, 1879-1943

Box 3

Folder 1: Property committee, 1970-19753
Folder 2: Property, Pastor Mai
Folder 3: Reception committee, 1919-1930
Folder 4: Rockford church census, 1959
Folder 5-6: Rockford history
Folder 7: Rockford Lutheran planning study, 1965
Folder 8: Rules of order, services
Folder 9: Safe deposit box
Folder 10: St. Mark's Church, 1961
Folder 11: Salem Church, 1906
Folder 12: Sandberg, Carl; letter, 1954
Folder 13: Savings Bank, 1895, 1900-1902
Folder 14: Scholarships, 1957-1958
Folder 15: Servicemen, 1945, 1954, 1960
Folder 16: Social ministry, 1966-1968
Folder 17: Sound and telephone systems
Folder 18: Sunday School teachers, 1959-1961
Folder 19: Sunshine Committee, 1940, 1955
Folder 20: Survey; Joint Lutheran Community, 1964-1965
Folder 21: Survey; relocation, 1959
Folder 22: Swedish Pioneer Centennial, 1948
Folder 23: Temperance Union, 1906
Folder 24: Treasurer s Relief Fund, 1906-1902
Folder 25: Ushers, 1918-1962
Folder 26: Weekday Bible School; minutes, 1932-1943
Folder 27: Women's Missionary Society, 1917-1956
Folder 28: Yearly reports, 1885, 1905, 1917-1918
Folder 29: Youth publication, 1959

Sub-Series B: 1853-1899 (Chronological)

Box 3

Folder 30: Sunday School, 1853
Folder 31: Sunday School, 1853
Folder 32: promissory notes and trust deed, 1867
Folder 33: church building and donations, 1868
Folder 34: church building, contracts and agreements, Savings Bank, 1869
Folder 35: notes and agreements, insurance, Savings Bank, collection book, 1870
Folder 36: insurance, notes and agreement, 1871
Folder 37: Savings Bank, notes, correspondence, 1872
Folder 38: insurance, bills paid, 1873
Folder 39: insurance, council meetings constitution, 1874
Folder 40: insurance, Savings Bank, Sunday School, 1875
Folder 41: dues, Sunday School report, 1876-1877
Folder 42: Poor Fund, mission school, 1878
Folder 43: inventory of church property, list of eligible voters, 1881
Folder 44: auction, Relief Fund, Treasurer s report, 1882
Folder 45: membership list, subscription insurance3, 1885
Folder 46: dues, congregational meetings, 1886
Folder 47: Savings Bank, 1889
Folder 48: membership list, dues, 1890
Folder 49: contributions, 1891
Folder 50: mortgages, loans, special meetings, Cemetery Association, 1893
Folder 51: Savings Bank, Trustees' reports, 1894
Folder 52: Treasurer's reports, 1895
Folder 53: contributions to special fund Savings Bank, 1896
Folder 54: Savings Bank reports and depositors, council report, dues, Treasurer s reports, Finance Committee, 1897
Folder 55: legal agreements, correspondence dues, Cemetery Association, 1898
Folder 56: dues, special funds, Savings Bank, 1899
Folder 57: Fiftieth Anniversary Scrapbook, 1904
Folder 58: Fiftieth Anniversary Album, 1904
Folder 59: Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Album, 1929
Folder 60: Centennial Album, 1954
Folder 61: Anniversary Book, 1964
Folder 62: Anniversary Book, 1969

Box 4

Folder 1-6: Guest books, 1950-1972
Folder 7-17: Anniversary books from other congregations
Folder 18: Josephine Noling; Diary, 1886-1904
Folder 19: Noling family church activities, 1889-1930
Folder 20: Noling Diary, 1916-1930
Folder 21-22: Noling family albums (2), no date
Folder 23: Josephine Noling memo book, 1873-1877
Folder 24: Noling memo book, 1900-1931
Folder 25: Sunday School books (2), 1879
Folder 26: Mary Peterson, album, 1883-1892
Folder 27: Mrs. E. Johnson; diary, 1880-1890
Folder 28: Almanac memo books (3), 1843, 1849-1850
Folder 29: Teacher lists, 1905
Folder 30: Teacher salaries, 1906

Volume 1: Scrapbook

Box 5

Folder 1: Noling family, 4 prints, no date
Folder 2: Poetry by Nohlander, 1862-1869
Folder 3: Wagledning Och Croft by John James
Folder 4: Noling family letters and poetry, 1871-1906
Folder 5-12: Newspaper clippings, 1864-1894

Box 6

Folder 1-50: Newspaper clippings, 1895-1951, no date
Folder 51-98: Approximately 500 black and white prints (most 8x10) from production of 1954 Centennial History; arranged by subject, alphabetically
Folder 99: Photographs: Church interior (10), 1906-1954
Folder 100: Photographs: Building construction (16), 1940's
Folder 101: Photographs: Early members (8), no date
Folder 102: Photographs: Servicemen (10), no date
Folder 103: Photographs: Sunday School (10), 1954
Folder 104: Photographs: Sunshine Committee (4), 1954
Folder 105: Photographs: Organ (7), 1954
Folder 106: Photographs: E.Power Biggs (2), 1954
Folder 107: Photographs: Reverend Loreen family (5), 1954
Folder 108: Photographs: Carl Alexis (6), 1954
Folder 109: Photographs: Brotherhood Circle (17), 1950's
Folder 110: Photographs: Mission Circles (7), 1950's
Folder 111-112: Photographs: Church buildings (39), 1854-1883
Folder 113: Photographs: Augustana Synod founders (1), 1860
Folder 114: Photographs: 50th Anniversary (1), 1904
Folder 115: Photographs: 110th Anniversary (18), 1964
Folder 116: Photographs: ReverendHaff (1), no date
Folder 117: Photographs: Pastors & families (8), no date
Folder 118-121: Photographs: Biographical (30), no date
Folder 122: Photographs: Augustana Synod Pastors (1), 1887
Folder 123-126: Photographs: identified biographical (37), no date
Folder 127-130: Photographs: identifies biographical ferrotypes (9), no date
Folder 131: Sunday School cards

Box 7

Folder 1: Dr. G. Peters and friends (1), no date
Folder 2: Ladies Society (1), 1885
Folder 3: Augustana Synod Pastors (1), 1869
Folder 4: Pastor's family, friends (1), 1885
Folder 5: Confirmation (1), 1893
Folder 6: Confirmation (15), 1879-1964
Folder 7: Organ (1), 1901
Folder 8: Carl Swenson sketches (6);Women's Missionary Society (1); Choir (1); Confirmation (1), 1953-1954, no date, 1870's, 1954

Box 8

Volume 1: Photo album, Mr. Elmer Latt (1 volume), no date
Volume 2: Photo album, unidentified (1 volume), no date

Box 9

Folder 1: Photo album, unidentified prints, 1864-1865
Folder 2: Printing block, no date

Series II: Administrative Material

Box 9

Folder 3-4: Minutes of annual meetings (Swedish), 1854-1878
Folder 5: Minutes of annual meetings (English), 1854-1878
Folder 6: Minutes of annual meetings (Swedish), 1879-1895
Folder 7: Minutes of annual meetings (English), 1879-1895
Folder 8: Minutes of annual meetings (Swedish), 1896-1906
Folder 9: Minutes of annual meetings (English), 1896-1906
Folder 10: Minutes of annual meetings (English), 1907-1925
Folder 11: Minutes of annual meetings (Swedish and English), 1926-1933
Folder 12: Minutes of annual meetings (English), 1926-1933
Folder 13: Minutes of annual meetings (English), 1934
Folder 14-17: Minutes of annual meetings (English), 1935-1960
Oversize 1: Minutes of annual meetings (Swedish), 1907-1925

Box 10

Folder 1: Minutes of annual meetings (English), 1961-1969
Folder 2: Deacons and Trustees, minutes (Swedish), 1864-1872
Folder 3: Deacons and Trustees, minutes (English), 1864-1872
Folder 4: Deacons and Trustees, minutes (Swedish), 1876-1881
Folder 5: Deacons and Trustees, minutes, 1876-1881
Folder 6: Deacons and Trustees, minutes (English), 1882-1887
Folder 7: Deacons and Trustees; minutes (Swedish), 1887-1903
Folder 8: Deacons and Trustees; minutes (Swedish), 1903-1924
Folder 9: Deacons and Trustees; minutes (Swedish until July 30, 1928), 1924-1943
Folder 10: Deacons and Trustees; minutes (English), October 30, 1924-July 15, 1928
Folder 11: Trustees' meetings; minutes (Swedish), 1889-1902
Folder 12: Trustees' meetings; minutes (English), 1903-1914
Folder 13-16: Trustees' meetings; minutes, 1915-1947

Box 11

Folder 1-2: Trustees' meetings; minutes, 1951-1966
Folder 3-8: Trustees' correspondence and agreements, 1918-1929,1939-1959
Folder 9: Trustees' annual reports, 1936-1952, 1955, 1957-1958
Folder 10: Trustees; valuation reports, 1946-1973
Folder 11: Trustees; abstract of title, 1842-1970
Folder 12-14: Deacons' meetings; minutes, 1944-1966
Folder 15-17: Church Council; minutes, 1966-1976
Folder 18-19: Church Council; correspondence, 1966-1968

Box 12

Folder 1-2: Church Council; correspondence, 1969-1977
Folder 3: Board of Administration; minutes; resolutions, 1957-1966, 1948
Folder 4: Building Committee; minutes and reports, 1883
Folder 5: Albert Loreen; correspondence, 1934-1955
Folder 6: Albert Loreen; letters to servicemen, 1943, 1954-1956
Folder 7: Pastor's annual reports, 1943-1952
Folder 8: Rockford District; minutes, 1901-1905
Folder 9: Rockford District; minutes and correspondence, 1956-1960

Series III: Financial Records

Box 12

Folder 10: Annual statements, 1854-1868
Folder 11-12: General ledger, 1883-1895, 1912-1929
Folder 13-18: Day books, 1868-1925

Box 13

Folder 1: Day books, 1922-1929
Folder 2-6: General ledger, 1931-1961
Folder 7: Dues, 1870-1876
Folder 8-10: Dues, 1916-1929
Folder 11: Building Fund, 1855-1865
Folder 12-14: Dues, 1864-1874, 1898-1906
Folder 15-17: Subscriptions, 1867-1895

Box 14

Folder 1: Subscriptions, 1883-1888
Folder 2: Subscriptions ; Augustana Seminary, 1886-1891
Folder 3-6: Relief Fund, 1869-1967
Folder 7-16: Treasurer's reports, 1897-1960
Folder 17-20: Grant Legacy account and Treasurer reports, 1919-1929

Box 15

Folder 1: Contributions, 1885
Volume 1-7: Contributions ( 7 volumes), 1870-1898

Box 16

Folder 1-4: Grant Legacy account and Treasurer reports, 1927-1937

Box 17

Folder 1: Grant Legacy Account, 1939-1942
Volume 1: Receipts and Disbursements, 1937-1949

Box 18

Volume 1: Receipts and Disbursements (1 volume), 1949-1961

Box 19

Folder 1-2: Disbursements, 1963-1978
Folder 3-5: Collections, 1962-1971
Folder 6-8: Budgets and cash balances, 1963-1976

Box 20

Volume 1: Pledges (1 volume), 1929-1933

Box 21

Folder 1-9: Pledges, 1934-1938
Folder 10: Pledges, 1939-1940, 1942
Volume 1: Pledges (1 volume), 1949-1950, no date

Box 22

Volume 1-2: Pledges (2 volumes), 1953-1957

Box 23

Volume 1-2: Pledges (2 volumes), 1954-1957

Box 24

Volume 1-2: Pledges (2 volumes), 1958

Box 25

Folder 1-11: Pledges, 1959-1961, 1964-1965
Folder 12: Stewardship pledges, 1963-1968
Folder 13: Savings Bank records, 1876-1901
Folder 14-17: Bank ledgers, 1883-1902
Folder 18-19: Bank cash books, 1883-1900

Box 26

Folder 1: Bank cash books, 1898-1902
Box 1: Bank books, 1870-1901

Series IV: Church Organizations

Box 26

Folder 2-6: Brotherhood; minutes and reports, 1926-1953
Folder 7: Jubilee Chorus; minutes, 1904-1929
Folder 8-9: Jubilee Chorus; membership, 1904-1911
Folder 10: Jubilee Chorus; programs; reports, 1904-1917; 1907, 1909, 1913
Folder 11-12: Jubilee Chorus; music, 1904-1954

Box 27

Folder 1-3: Jubilee Chorus; music, 1904-1954
Folder 4: Swedish Temperance Union; minutes, 1864-1877
Folder 5: Historical Society; minutes, 1942-1944
Folder 6: Ladies Aid Society, minutes, 1890-1905, 1953-1958
Folder 7: Ladies Aid Society, treasurer's reports, 1883-1894, 1908-1944, 1954
Folder 8-9: Ladies Aid Society, minutes, 1941-1952
Folder 10-14: Ladies Aid Society, dues, 1883-1886, 1904-1914, 1930-1933, 1940-1958
Folder 15: Luther League; history; constitutions; reports, 1938, 1940; 1928-1929

Box 28

Folder 1: Luther League; minutes, 1940-1949
Folder 2: Luther League; treasurer s reports, 1905, 1910-1921, 1928
Folder 3: Luther League; membership lists, 1928, 1940-1941
Folder 4: Luther League; correspondence; publication, 1911, 1914, 1929, 1940-1941
Folder 5: Luther League; Council of Rockford; minutes, 1929-1936, 1958-1959
Folder 6: Luther League; Rockford District, programs, convention reports, 1910, 1941, 1946
Folder 7: Luther League; of Illinois; minutes; publications, 1900, 1905, 1932
Folder 8-14: Luther League; minutes, 1877-1929
Folder 15-17: Luther League; special committees, minutes, 1901-1927
Folder 18: Luther League; accounts, 1951
Folder 19: Luther League; treasurer s reports, 1931-1965
Folder 20: Sunday School; minutes, 1951-1966
Folder 21: Sunday School; treasurer's reports, 1886, 1903
Folder 22: Sunday School; class records, 1870-1872

Box 29

Folder 1-2: Sunday School; class records, 1893-1953
Folder 3: Sunday School; Bible class, 1942-1958
Folder 4: Women's Missionary Society; history; members; treasurer's report; conference report, 1954, 1953-1954, 1953-1958s, 1950-1954
Folder 5-6: Women's Missionary Society minutes, 1937-1949
Folder 7: Women's Missionary Society; minutes, 1927-1937
Folder 8-10: Women's Missionary Society; dues, 1915-1929, 1940-1949;
Folder 11: Women's Missionary Society; treasurers reports; dues; Beacon Light Society; Junior Mission Society, 1926-1930, 1930-1939, 1930-1933
Folder 12-14: Women's Missionary Society; treasurers reports, 1931-1951
Folder 15-16: Women's Missionary Society; Louise Circle, minutes, 1942-1957
Folder 17: Women's Missionary Society; Esther Circle, minutes (3 volumes), 1952-1959
Folder 18: Home and Foreign Missions; account book, 1870-1881

Box 30

Folder 1: Utah Missionary Society; minutes, 1891-1895
Folder 2: Junior Mission Band, 1943-1946
Folder 3: Beacon Light Society; scrapbook, 1930
Folder 4-5: Young Women's Missionary Society; minutes, 1890-1898, 1931-1938
Folder 6-7: Missionary Guild; minutes, 1938-1958
Folder 8: Missionary Guild; treasurer's reports; accounts, 1935-1948, 1950-1958, 1940-1958
Folder 9: Missionary Guild and Young Women's Missionary Society; roll books, 1936-1958
Folder 10: Young People's Society; minutes, 1911-1927

Series V: First Lutheran

Box 30

Folder 11-21: Monthly reports, 1909-1917, 1918-1931, 1935, 1936-1949

Box 31

Folder 1-5: Monthly reports, 1950-1959
Folder 6-39: Bulletins, 1896-1967

Box 32

Folder 1-11: Bulletins, 1968-1978
Folder 12-15: Newsletters, 1957-1978
Folder 16: Forsamlings-Vannen, 1890-1927
Folder 17: Ungdoms Vannen, 1902
Folder 18: Augustana, 1910
Folder 19: Lutheran Companion, 1915, 1930, 1949,1962
Folder 20: Almanacs, 1938-1947
Folder 21: Den Swenska Psalmboken uf Konungen, 1862

Box 33

Folder 1: Plymouth Collection of Hymns, 1867
Folder 2: Bradbury's Fresh Laurels, Hymn book, 1867
Folder 3: Preludier för Orgel, 1874
Folder 4: Barnvännens Lyra, Songbook, 1876
Folder 5: Sångbok för Söndags-Skolan och Hemmet, Songbook, 1877
Folder 6: Hemlands, Ahnfelts, och Pilgrims-Sånger, 1880
Folder 7: Psalm-Boken med dess Koraler samt Evangelii-Boken, 1880
Folder 8: Barn-vännens Lyra, Songbook, 1882
Folder 9: Psalms of David (English & Swedish), 1882
Folder 10: Den Swenska Psalm-Boken uf Konungen, pocket-size, 1882
Folder 11: Den Svenska Psalmboken af år 1819, 1884
Folder 12: Den Svenska Psalm-Boken af år 1819, pocket-size, 1884
Folder 13: Den Svenska Psalmboken af år 1819, with "First Lutheran Church, Rockford, Illinois" embossed on cover, 1884
Folder 14: Svenska Psalmboken af år 1819 förenad med Koral-Bok, 1884
Folder 15: Den Svenska Psalm-Boken af år 1819, 1885

Box 34

Folder 1: Gospel Hymns [Consolidated], 1886
Folder 2: Koral-Bok med Svenska Psalmboken, 1886
Folder 3: Den Swenska Psalm-Boken af år 1819, pocket-size with blue fabric and decorative gold inlay, 1888
Folder 4: Vocal Selections No. 532: He's Gone (Bradbury Memorial), Songbook, 1888
Folder 5: Barnens Andra Bok för Skolan och Hemmet, 1890
Folder 6: HemlandsSånger utgifna af Augustana-Synoden, 1891
Folder 7: Vårt Land, Songbook, 1891
Folder 8: Tempelkören, Songbook, 1899
Folder 9: Utdrag ur Kyrko-Handbok för Augustana-Synoden, Songbook, 1899
Folder 10: Den Swenska Psalm-Boken af år 1819, pocket-size, Inscription: Agnes Bogren, Confirmation Day, 1900
Folder 11: Aeolsharpan, Songbook, 1908
Folder 12: Luther League Hymn Book, 1913
Folder 13: Lutherförbundets Sångbok, 1913
Folder 14: Den Svenska Psalm-Boken afår 1819, Inscription: Laurence Bogren, Confirmation Day, 1915
Folder 15: Hymnal and Order of Service, Inscription: Edith Floren, 1920

Box 35

Folder 1: Dr. Martin Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation, 1922
Folder 2: The Junior Hymnal, 1928
Folder 3: Convention Hymnal, 1938
Folder 4: Bilder ur Jesu lif, Psalmbook, no date
Folder 5: Sankey's Sång-Bok, no date
Folder 6: The Song Era, Songbook by Frederic W. Root, no date
Folder 7: Under julträdet, Songbook, no date
Folder 8: Augustana Church; history; reports, 1938, 1950,1955
Folder 9: World Council of Churches, 1948
Folder 10: Augustana Church; history, 1960
Folder 11: Augustana Church; Central Conferences, 1960
Folder 12: Augustana Church; Report of the 101st Synod, 1960
Folder 13: Augustana Och Missionaren, 1885
Folder 14: Augustana annual, 1959-l962
Folder 15: Augustana bulletin, 1912
Folder 16: Augustana missions, 1959
Folder 17: Bible Study Quarterly, 1927
Folder 18: Christian Cynosure, 1935
Folder 19: Illinois Synod; minutes, 1968
Folder 20: Lutheran Foreign Missions Conference of America; Proceedings, 1939
Folder 21: The Law of Moral Influence by W. F. Eyster, 1880
Folder 22: The Story of Our China Mission by Gustav Carlbert, 1938
Folder 23: Ungdoms-Vannen , 1895-1898

Oversize Volume 1: Barnavanne, 1881-1886

Box 36

Folder 1: Ungdoms-Vannen , 1880

Series VI: Membership and Pastorial Records

Box 36

Folder 2: Members, 1854
Folder 3: Membership index, 1902
Folder 4: Membership records, 1930-1939
Folder 5-10: Membership records, A-Z, 1929-1940
Folder 11-15: Membership records, A-Z, 1941-1949
Folder 16-17: Confirmation classes, 1857-1955
Folder 18: Confirmation classes (revised, 1964), 1884-1955
Folder 19: Confirmation class reunions
Folder 20-21: Confirmands, A-Z, 1857-1954
Folder 22: Membership analysis, 1963
Folder 23: Membership directories, 1963-1965, 1970, 1972, 1975
Folder 24-25: Letters of transfer, #1-99

Box 37

Folder 1-23: Letters of transfer, #100-2227
Folder 24-25: Letters of transfer, 1863-1879, 1929-1945

Box 38

Folder 1-3: Letters of transfer, 1929-1954, 1957-1962

Addendum I: June 1985

Box 1A: 17 cassette tapes; church history, special services, 1970, 1971, 1975

Box 1B: 2 Wagon-Wheel Bookends

Box 39

Item 1: Site plan, no date
Item 2: Map of first ward, Rockford, no date
Item 3: Unidentified blueprints, no date
Item 4: Flat of alley next to church, no date
Item 5: Blueprints for rolling partitions, no date
Item 6: Maps showing members' homes, no date
Item 7: Unidentified floor plan, no date
Item 8: Church blueprints, 1959
Item 9: Sunday school and youth building blueprints, 1948
Item 10: Recordation of Church Building, 1969

Oversize Drawer 19

Folder 1: Church blueprints; Church sanctuary drawings (13), 1927, 1958; 1883

Box 38A

Item 1-3: Microfilm Rolls: Minutes of Annual, Deacons and Trustees meetings
Item 4-5: Microfilm Rolls: Record Books (1-4) and Ministerial Acts (1-3)

Box 38

Folder 4: ReverendPeters and Parochial School Class 186, circa 1872
Folder 5: Church Picnic, no date

Addendum II: July 1998

Box 38

Folder 6: Constitution, January 1993, no date
Folder 7-8: Annual Reports, 1980-Fiscal year 1997
Folder 9: Church Directories, 1985-1986, 1989-1990, 1996
Folder 10: Correspondence, 1991-1997
Folder 11: Order of Worship Booklets, 1970, 1978
Folder 12: Programs/Concert Series, 1979, 1984-1985, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2000-2001, no date
Folder 13-15: Bulletins, 1979, 1981-1998
Folder 16-18: Newsletters, 1990-1998
Folder 19: Photographs: Church Exterior, Fixing Steeple, n.d. (4); Church Sign, n.d. (1); Aerial View, n.d. (1); Church Interior, Attic/Storage, 1996 (19); Sunday School, 1997 (5); Worship Service, n.d. (2); Pastor Timothy Kenyon, 1997 (1); Lois Lundine, Organist, 1997 (1); Amy Wilson, Acolyte, 1997 (1); Kitchen Helpers, 1997 (1); 140th Anniversary, Rev. Timothy Kenyon, Vickie Kenyon, 1994 (1); Camp Elkhorn, WI, Camp Lutherdale, 1995 (1); Vacation Bible School, 1996 (5); Epiphany Retreat, LOMC, 1997 (5); Joint Potluck, Hispanic Christian Fellowship & 1st Lutheran Church, 1997 (1); Christmas Program, 1997 (1)

Addendum III: April 2005

Box 38

Folder 20: Annual Report, Fiscal Year 1999-2004
Folder 21: Directory of Members, September 1982
Folder 22: Member Obituaries/Service Programs, 2001-2005
Folder 23: Book of Remembrance, 1975, no date
Folder 24: 120th Anniversary, 1974
Folder 25: 150th Anniversary, 2003-3004
Folder 26-29: Bulletins, 1999-2003

Box 40

Folder 1-3: Bulletins, 2003-2005
Folder 4-7: Newsletters, July 5, 2000-April 13, 2005
Folder 8: Christian Education Committee, 1966-1968
Folder 9: Church History Committee, 1990
Folder 10: Lutheran Church Women, 1978-1979
Folder 11: Journey Together Faithfully, Time Line, 2002-2006
Folder 12: Loan Agreement, 1990
Folder 13: Photographs, no date
Folder 14: Stationery, Blank, no date