Grand Rapids, Michigan. South Congregational Church. Records, 1890-2001
Grand Rapids, MI
Records, 1870 - 2001
6.5 Linear Feet
RG 4657
Processed November 2001
By Jessica Steytler
Copyright: requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the archivist or librarian.
Top of pageBrief History of the Church
Taken from Series 7, folder 10 "Historical Sketch," 1994
1876 Chapel completed
1878 Church organized with 43 members
1879 Church received into Grand River Conference
1886 Church building expanded and moved to the corner of Delaware and Sheldon
1897 Fire nearly destroyed the building. Time of growth in church membership
1936 Second fire
1949 First unit of the new building on the corner of Madison and Alger was erected. The Sunday school membership reached 800
1967A tornado destroyed 60% of the South Church building. Major fund drives were necessary to completely rebuild the church
1970 Church mortgage was paid back. The 1970s mark the decline in membership
2001 Church closes
Top of pageScope and Content
1. Annual Reports, Annual Meetings, and Congregational Meetings, 1890 - 2001
2. Board of Trustees, Polity, 1895 - 2001
Includes articles of association, Board meetings, constitution, by - laws, polity guidelines, and Council minutes
3. Building and Financial, 1899 - 2001
Includes building planning, tenant information, sale of church property, real estate proposal and appraisal, mortgage records, insurance, bequests, account books, and treasurer's records
4. Committees, Societies, and Clubs, 1933 - 2000
Includes Diaconate minutes, mission groups, aid societies, and social clubs
5. Ministers, 1890s - 1999
Includes correspondence, biographical information, new ministers, and interim ministers
6. Membership, 1889 - 2001
Includes baptisms, weddings, funerals, directories, handbook of records, letters of transfer and dismissal, and yearbook reports
7. Historical and Memorabilia
Includes Anniversaries, historian's reports, historical sketches, special programs and clippings
8. Sunday Program and Newsletter, 1908 - 2001
Top of pageFolder List
Box 1
Series 1: Annual Reports, Annual Meetings, and Congregational Meetings, 1890 - 2001
1 - 5 Annual Reports 1890 - 1920; 1931 - 44; 1956 - 61
Box 2
6 - 10 Annual Reports 1962 - 1997
Box 3
11 - 17 Annual Reports 1998 - 2001
12 Meeting Announcements 1920s, 40s
13 - 17 Special/Annual Meetings 1930 - 45; 1971 - 83
Box 4
18 - 21 Congregational Meetings 1922 - 9; 1945 - 2001 (gaps)
Series 2: Board of Trustees and Polity, 1895 - 2001
Box 5
1 Articles of Association
2 Resolutions
3 Constitution and By - Laws 1989 - 2001
4 Constitution1895
5 Board of Trustees Basic Info. Booklet - ca. 1993
6 Revised Church Leadership 1998 - 9
7 Board Correspondence 1984
8 Board Correspondence 1990
9 - 12 Board Minutes 1899 - 1943
Box 6
13 - 20 Board Minutes 1973 - 2001
Box 7
21 Board and Committee Policies, Constitutions
22 Clerk's Information Booklet
23 - 8 Council Minutes 1952 - 1998
Series 3:
Building and Financial, 1899 - 2001
Box 8 (oversize)
1 Non - Profit Status 1942 - 1978
2 Building Committee 1943 - 9
3 New Sanctuary, Building and Dedication 1969
4 Real Estate Proposal/Appraisal 2001
5 Sale of Church Property 2001
6 Tenant: New Covenant Life Ministries 1999
7 Pilgrim Manor Retirement Home 1957 - 1965
8 Mortgage Records multiple dates
9 Mortgage 2001
10 Insurance 2001
11 Account Book 1899 - 1902
Series 4/folderHome and Foreign Mission Society 1905 - 1922
Box 9
12 - 13 Bequests
14 Financial Statements 1899 - 1919
15 Treasurer's Book 1909 - 27
16 Treasurer's Reports,
letters from the Pastor 1912 - 8; 1942 - 4
17 Treasurer's Records 1922 - 1952
Box 10
18 - 19 Account Books 1923 - 4; 1927 - 9
20 Financial Reports 1929 - 1935
21 Account Book 1929 - 1935
Box 11
Series 4:
Committees, Societies, and Clubs, 1922 - 2000
1 Christian Endeavor Society 1926 - 1929
2 - 5 Diaconate 1977 - 1997 (gaps)
6 Ethiopian Family 1985
7 Flag Discussion 1999
8 Ladies Aid Society 1928 - 1932
Box 12
9 Missionary/World Service 1922 - 1935
10 Nominating Committee 1983 - 1992, 1996
11 Serving Team [Mission] 1998 - 2000
12 Top of the Hill Club 1975 - 1978
13 Woman's Fellowship1966; 1982 - 1995
14 World Service 1980 - 1983
Box 13
Series 5:
Ministers 1890s - 1999
1 - 2 Church Correspondence 1890s; 1907 - 1929
3 Catton, William, Biographical Information ca 1950s
4 Collins, Earl, Correspondence 1940s - 50s
5 Ford, Richard, Sermons 1977
6 Interim Minister 1998 - 1999
7 New Ministers 1970s, 1990s
8 Pastors' Correspondence
9 "Sharing the Good News" 1975 - 6
Box 14
Series 6:
Membership, 1889 - 2000
1 Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals 1941 - 1967
2 Baptisms1965 - 1983
3 Church Directoriesmultiple dates
4 Church Records Book ca. 1890 - 1924
5 Church Survey "A Look Within" 1974
Box 15
6 - 8 Handbook of Records (by Jesse Fry) 1899 - 1933
9 Letters of Transfer, Dismissal1912 - 1914
Box 16
10 Marriage Records 1931 - 41; 1952 - 89
11 Marriage Service
12 Membership, Baptisms, Removals 1880 - 1923
13 Members, Numerical List (includes ministers' list) 1889 - 1978
Box 17
14 Members, Alphabetical Listing1889 - 1978
15 Members, Removed, Baptisms 1889 - 1978
16 Members1922
17 Membership Index File 1999
18 Membership Letter 1997
19 Yearbook Report 1910 - 1930, gaps
20 Yearbook Report 1966 - 2000
Series 7:
Historical and Memorabilia
Box 18
1 - 5 Anniversaries
6 Certificates 1990s
7 Cornerstone Capsule 1949
10 Historian's Reports and Sketches
11 Historical Sketches 1944
12 Historical Sketch 1994
Box 19
12 History of South Church 1948
13 - 14 Special Programs and clippings
Box 20 - 21
Photographs
Folder A and B:
Oversize images
Series 8:
Sunday Program and Newsletter, 1908 - 2001
Box 22
1 - 4 Church Bulletin (Sunday Program) 1908 - 1931; 1962 - 2000
Box 23
5 - 12 South Church Page n.d., 1932 - 36; 1968 - 76
Box 24
13 - 17 Messenger 1977 - 1992
Box 25
18 - 20 Messenger 1993 - 2001