Brockton, Massachusetts. Christ Congregational Church United Church of Christ. Records, 1738-1980 (gaps).
Records, 1738 - 1980 (gaps)
8 linear feet
RG 0037
No Access Restrictions.
Processed by Sandra Sudak, 1990; updated by Jessica Steytler 2002 and 2006
Copyright: Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the archivist or librarian.
Top of pageHistorical Note
Church formed in 1980 by the merger of the First Parish, South, Porter and Waldo Congregational (United Church of Christ) churches. Old Bridgewater was originally incorporated in 1656 and was divided into northern and southern precincts in 1712. In 1723 the North Precinct was divided into the East and West Precincts. In 1738, part of the West Precinct was incorporated as the North Precinct in Bridgewater. In 1874 this area was reorganized as the town of Brockton, Mass. The church was gathered ca. 1740 as the Fourth Church in Bridgewater. The church became the First Church when the area became known as North Bridgewater; the First Parish in North Bridgewater was incorporated in 1823. In 1874 the names changed to First Church and First Parish in Brockton. Extant as Brockton Christ Congregational UCC in 1996.
Top of pageScope and Content
Includes: Correspondence, covenants, bylaws, baptismal and marriage records, minutes, annual reports, sermons, deeds, treasurer's records, insurance policies, covenants, historical sketches, anniversary programs, pew rents, membership records, records of Sunday schools and church organizations, bulletins, newspapers, pamphlets, clippings, photographs, and other records, of First Parish, South, Porter, and Waldo Congregational Churches. Clergymen represented include Alan Hudson, John F. Norton and John Porter.
First Parish and Congregational Church records 1740 - 1890 also available on microfilm (1 microfilm reel : negative ; 35 mm.)
Subgroups:
1. First Parish Congregational Church
Organized in 1737 in Bridgewater, Mass., as Fourth Parish Church, renamed First Parish Congregational Church when area became known as North Bridgewater, incorporated 1823, retaining name when North Bridgewater became Brockton in 1874
2. South Congregational Church
Organized in 1837 in the Campbello section of North Bridgewater
3. Porter Congregational Church
Founded 1850 in Montello area, North Bridgewater
4. Waldo Congregational Church
Organized by members of Porter Congregational Church in 1894
Top of pageFolder List
Subgroup I: First Parish Congregational Church 6 boxes (2 linear feet)
Series I: Church Records
Box 1
1 Church Covenant, baptisms, marriages, other administrations of 4th Church of Christ in Bridgewater 1740 - 1805
2 Articles of Faith and Covenant, memberships, baptisms, minutes Oct. 28, 1812 - May 3, 1874
3 Records, members, marriages April 2, 1874 - Jan. 25, 1894
4 Records
This volume in poor condition from water damage Jan 25 1894 - Dec. 31, 1914.
Box 2
5 - 7 Reports - loose materials with soot damage 1905 - 1914
Series II: Parish Records
Box 3
8 - - Records
May 31, 1738 - Mar 22, 1852
Persons who joined South Congregational Society,
Dec 24 1836 - April 1, 1845; Oct. 1, 1847 - ? , 1853
Plan to award certificates
1827 - 1836
Society Dismissions
1849 - 1853
Parish Dismissions
1849 - 1852
A Copying our of ye Olde Records, 4th Church of Christ Bridgewater
- Photocopy of orginal records and bound - - No Enclosure
1740 - 1840
Box 3
Meeting Reports, Admissions, Dismissions; letter of acceptance (loose), and news clipping 1852 - 1893
Meeting Reports 1894 - 1916
Parish, Church Records 1914 - 1922
Series III: Financial, Building
13 Treasurer's Report 1786 - 1862
14 Treasurer's Book, Taxes 1857 - 1865
Box 4
15 Assessor's Book 1860 - 1865
16 Cash book (Women's Organization) 1904 - 1933
17 - 19 Deeds, leases, councils, etc.
James Roarty case. Papers. 1916
20 Building and Financial, regarding fire 1957, 1965
Series IV: Church Activities
20 Sermons
21 Rev. David Huntington. Copy of sermon preached April 1820; Theatrical Entertainments; Lucious Gurney. 1890. Short history of the 1st Parish and Church (Congregational) in Brockton, MA. Includes lists of church clerks, deacons, and pastors.
22 Character Sketch - Mrs. Cronwinshield
23 Covenant, Articles of Faith, By - laws, Manuals
Box 5
24 Anniversary Programs, Directory 1937, 1962, 1965
25 Packet of Merit Awards, Tickets, Rally Day cards
26 Booklet (handwritten) of poetry and photos no date
27 Items relating to Rev. Alan Hudson.
- - In the Footsteps of a Friend by J. Stanley Durkee;
- - lecture of Phillips Brooks, by Alan Hudson (handwritten ms)
- - various handwritten sermons
28 Correspondence ca. 1815 - 1830
29 Programs
30 History of the Church
Subgroup II: South Congregational Church - - 5 Boxes (1.5 linear feet)
Series I. Society Records
Box 6
1 The Book of Records of the South Congregational Society in North Bridgewater/Campello 1836 - 1906
2 South Congregational Parish Records 1906 - 1917
3 Pew Subscriptions. 1835/6 - 1846
4 Account Book (incomplete) 1853 - 1869
5 Pew Subscriptions. 1854 - 1867
Box 7
6 Treasurer's Book - Parish Subscriptions. 1837 - 1904
7 Treasurer's Book 1905 - 1915
8 Treasurer's Book 1910 - 1917
9 Certificate of Inocorporation 1901
10 Keith, Isaac - deed. 1836
11 Deeds. 1874 - 1918
12 Property Insurance Policies. 1853 - 1854
Series II: Church Records
13 "old records": 1836 - 1838, no date
- letter
- Founding meeting for the South Church
- letter of dismission in support of starting a new church
- letter of dismission
- sermon
14 Church records ledger 1836 - 1877; 1902 - 1918
Box 8
15 Records of the South Congregational Church in North Bridgewater. General records, membership, marriages, deaths, baptisms. 1837 - 1889
16 Church Records. 1890 - 1901
17 Records. [several enclosures] 1914 - 1937
18 Annual Reports 1907, 1953, 1962 - 1965
Box 9
19 - 20 Annual Reports 1966 - 1971; 1972 - 1979
21 Descriptive Catalogue of Members. 1900
Box 10
22 Original Members. 1837 - 1897
23 Membership List (?) n.d. - 1917
24 Membership directory and manuals
25 Hope Chapel Records. 1902 - 1904
Series III: Miscellaneous Historical Items
26 Historical sketches and outlines of church leaders. Includes chain of title for property site of church ca. 1936
Newspaper Clippings, multiple dates
Pamphlets.
- - 75th Anniversary
- - 100th Anniversary
- - Manual
- - Handbook
- - Directory
- - Young People's Society
- - Organ Fund Book
1912
1936
1885
1918
1897/8
1887
n.d.
Subgroup III. Porter Congregational Church
1 Records Storage Box
(1 linear foot)
Series I: Society and Church Records
Box 11
Porter Evangelical Society, reports 1850 - 1875
Porter Evangelical Society, financial 1850 - 1877
1 Standing Committee Records. 1887 - 1901
2 1901 - 1910
3 1911 - 1923
4 1923 - 1929
Box 12
5
General Records.
1850 - 1886
6 General Records 1886 - 1906
7 Register, baptisms, deaths, dismissals 1887 - 1925
8 Articles of Faith, Covenant, Constitution
9 Annual Reports 1857. 1858, 1861, 1892
Box 13
10 Leach Papers - Mr. Simeon and Mrs. Parnee (founders) with photos
11 - 12 Lewis Papers - (founding of the church)
13 Founding documents, early reports, meeting warrants 1850 - 1852
14 Copies of "historical records" - photocopies
15 Histories
16 - 17 Annual Reports 1960, 1969 - 1973, 1974 - 1979
18 Deeds, pew rent receipts. Apollonas Packard 1802 - 1851
19 Finances and Pew Taxes. 1850 - 1851
20 Correspondence, church bells. (David Howard) 1850 - 1853
21 Building Committee 1850 - 1851
22 Financial 1857, 1864
23 Gifts as Memorials
Series III: Voluntary Associations
Box 14
24 Young People's Records, history, minutes, members, 1875 - 1878
Church Work Committee 1893 - 1904
25 - 26
- - Secretary Records, Minutes
1887 - 1893
27 - 29
- - Treasurer's Account Book
1895 - 1915
Box15
30 Porter Female Association, minutes, members. 1850 - 1885
31 Ladies Benevolent Society, minutes, members. 1885 - 1900
32
Ladies Benevolent Society dues
1894 - 1904
33 Brockton Auxiliary 1880 - 1887
Box 16
34 - 36 Woman's Missionary Society of Brockton, minutes, members. 1874 - 1880, 1887 - 1891, 1891 - 1899
Church life
Box 17
Correspondence 1850, 1868 - 1869
Correspondence - John Norton, minister 1850s
Howard, David - correspondence 1871 - 1872
Pastors - Installation Services, Ordination
Pulpit Supply 1850 - 1852, 1854
1868 - 1869
Pastors: call and dismission correspondence 1850s
Members, manuals/yearbooks/directories
Membership lists 1850
Weekly calendar, sunday services
Rededication Excercises. 1866
Addresses and Sermons
Special and Holiday Programs
Anniversary Celebrations
Newspapers. Boston Recorder. Notices of Lysander Howard, Gen.
Shepard Leach, Deacon John Whitman, 1835, 1837
Brockton Weekly Gazette. Junte 22, 1876
Account of Rev. Mr. Whitefield in Brockton in 1740
Photocopy of robbery, 1970
Subgroup IV: Waldo Congregational Church
1 Records Storage Box
Box 18
Series I: Church Records
Annual Report, special meetings, charter, by - laws, incorporation. 1896 - 1923
Annual and Special Meetings, by - laws. 1923 - 1980
Annual Reports 1948 - 1949
Box 19
Annual Reports: 1928 - 1950
Series II: Church Vital Statistics
Register. Baptisms, admissions, dismissions. 1896 - 1931
Register. Baptisms, admissions, dismissions. 1932 - 1980
Series III: Financial
Treasurer's Book. 1896 - 1912
Waldo Church School. Account Book. 1947 - 1958
Series IV: History
Church History. By M.F. Atwood. 1917