Boston, Massachusetts. Park Street Church. Records, 1804-1976

Records, 1804-1976

49 linear feet.
Collection Number RG 1284

• Introduction
• List of Ministers
• Scope and Content
• Box and Folder List

Introduction

The beginnings of Park Street Church date to 1804 when a "Religious Improvement Society" began holding weekly lectures and prayer meetings in Boston. After meeting for 6 years, the society formed the Park Street Church in February 1809 with 26 charter members. Less than a year later, in January 1810, the church dedicated its newly constructed meetinghouse on the corner of Park and Tremont Streets. A plaque on the building's façade states that the church has been Trinitarian, Evangelical and Congregational since its inception.

Park Street Church quickly became the site of significant historical events including the founding of the Handel and Haydn Society in 1815, the American Temperance Society in 1826, the Animal Rescue League in 1889, and the NAACP in 1910. It also served to host William Lloyd Garrison's first anti-slavery speech in 1829, the first public performance of the hymn " America" in 1831, and Charles Sumner's famous address, "The War System of Nations," in 1849.

In the late 1800s, Park Street's membership declined sharply, and the resultant monetary loss led to a reconstruction of the church building: the meetinghouse was raised to the second floor so that the basement and front of the church could be rented to commercial stores. Financial distress continued and the Park Street property was nearly sold to the Boston Herald in the early 1900s. Membership began to recover during the following decades, and in the mid-1940s, the stores were dismantled and the basement was returned to religious uses. In 1954 the Church purchased the adjoining property at No. 1 Park Street. The church continued to expand in 1993 when it acquired No. 2 and No. 3 Park Street.

The Park Street records were transferred to the Congregational Archives in the late 1970s.

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Ministers

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Scope and Content

Series I: Vital Statistics, 1809-1976

This series includes member directories and registers; confessions of faith; baptism, marriage, and death records; examining committee minutes; and records of admissions and dismissals.

Series II: Church Records, 1804-1966

This series includes minutes from the Society for Religious Improvement Society (the precursor to PSC) and the church clerk, annual meetings, deacons, and cabinet.

Series III: Park Street Society & Financial Records, 1809-1963

This series includes Park Street Society minutes; trustee correspondence; Prudential Committee minutes; pew sales, deeds, taxes, rental index, and journals. The series also contains Park Street Society collections and contributions, society and trustee cash books, Benevolence account books, Vouchers , receipts, bills, and financial reports.

Series IV: Voluntary Organizations, 1816-1968

This series includes minutes for the Maternal Association, the Women's Board of Foreign Missions, the Benevolent Sewing Circle, the Women's Benevolent Society, the Women's Club, the Men's Club, and the Singing Society. The series also includes Social Assembly menus and finances, radio program pledges and bulletins, and a women's club scrapbook.

Series V: Historical Materials, 1809-1974

Included in the series are files regarding pastors; missions; music; bylaws; church facilities and maintenance; anniversary celebrations; and histories of the church. The series also includes newspaper clippings and photographs of various events.

Series VI: Shawmut Church

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Box and Folder List

Please note: MF# indicates the microfilm reel for that particular box/folder/ledger.

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