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Massachusetts Conference. Berkshire Association of Congregational Churches. Records, 1759-1960

Records, 1759 - 1960

RG 0017, 1 linear foot

No access restrictions. Processed April 1990 by Sandra Sudak. Reprocessed April 1999 by Virginia Hunt.

Copyright: requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the archivist or librarian.

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Introduction

The Berkshire Association was formed in 1763. Due to its large size, the organization separated into two distinct organizations—Berkshire North Association and Berkshire South Association—in October 1852. It was decided then that the Berkshire South Association would retain the original records of the parent Berkshire Association. The records were reprocessed in April 1999 because of a discrepancy that was found between the original finding aid and the actual arrangement of the records.

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Historical Note

Berkshire Association (also called Berkshire Association of Congregational Churches) was formed in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, in 1763. In 1852 the Association divided into Berkshire South Association of Congregational Churches and Ministers and Berkshire North Association of Congregational Christian Churches, due to the large size of the Association.

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Scope and Content Note

The collection is broken out into four series. The first contains minutes of the Berkshire Association including those of the Ecclesiastical councils, Executive Committee; the second contains correspondence, bylaws, executive committee reports, ledgers, records of ecclesiastical councils and conferences, catalog of members, lists of clergy, dismissions, annual reports, clippings, and other records of all three association. Also includes some miscellaneous records (1903 - 1910) of Pilgrim Memorial Church, Pittsfield, Massachusetts.