First Universalist Church (Somerville, Mass.). Records, 1861-1984.
Overview
Records of the First Universalist Church of Somerville, Massachusetts, including general record books, membership and pew records, Women's Union and Sunday School records, and documents related to the dissolution of the church. The records span 1861-1984.
Dates
- Creation: 1861-1984.
Access
There are no restrictions on access to this collection.
Extent
10 boxesThe bulk of this collection consists of church record books, which include membership information, pew rentals, Parish Committee meeting minutes, annual reports, and financial records; and material related to the Women's Union and the Sunday School. There are also legal documents, correspondence, and financial records related to the dissolution of the church, which was sold to King Solomon's Lodge in 1984. The collection also contains printed material related to the church.
Biographical / Historical
The First Universalist Church in Somerville was legally established in 1854 and organized in 1861. The first pastor of the society was the Rev. George H. Emerson. The church was originally located on Cross Street until it burned down in an 1868 fire. The church was rebuilt at the same location, but then moved in 1918 to 125 Highland Street. The First Universalist Church merged with the West Somerville Universalist Church (formerly the Third Universalist Church of Somerville) in 1952 and then disbanded in 1984.
Arrangement
Organized into the following series:
- Series I. General record books
- Series II. Membership records
- Series III. Pew records
- Series IV. Women's Union
- Series V. Sunday School
- Series VI. Legal documents related to dissolution of First Universalist Church
- Series VII. Miscellaneous printed material
Acquisition Information
Gift of the Unitarian Universalist Association, 1987 and 2006.
- Title
- First Universalist Church (Somerville, Mass.). Records, 1861-1984: A Finding Aid.
- Author
- Andover-Harvard Theological Library
- Language of description
- und
- EAD ID
- div00547
Repository Details
Part of the Harvard Divinity School Library, Harvard University Repository
Special Collections at Harvard Divinity School Library preserves and makes accessible primary source materials documenting the history of religion and theology, with particular historical emphasis on American liberal religious traditions. Though the historical strengths of the collections have been in the field of Christianity, other religious traditions are increasingly reflected, in step with Harvard Divinity School's evolving focus on global religious studies. Known as Andover-Harvard Theological Library since 1911, it was renamed the Harvard Divinity School Library in 2021.
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