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Brockton, Massachusetts. Christ Congregational Church United Church of Christ. Records, 1738-1980 (gaps)

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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.

 

 

 

 

Historical 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.

 

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Scope 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

 

 

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Folder 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 Jan. 25, 1894 - Dec. 31, 1914
    This volume in poor condition from water damage  
       
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
       
Box 4      
9
    A Copying our of ye Olde Records, 4th Church of Christ Bridgewater
* Photocopy of orginal records and bound -- No Enclosure		 1740 - 1840
       
Box 5      
10
 Meeting Reports, Admissions, Dismissions; letter of acceptance (loose), and news clipping 1852 - 1893
11
 Meeting Reports 1894 - 1916
12
 Parish, Church Records 1914 - 1922
       
Series III: Financial, Building

 

13 Treasurer's Report 1786 - 1862
14 Treasurer's Book, Taxes 1857 - 1865
       
Box 6      
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
  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. Cronwinshiel  
23 Covenant, Articles of Faith, By-laws, Manuals  
       
Box 7
    
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 8
      
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 9
      
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 10
      
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 11
      
19-20 Annual Reports 1966 - 1971; 1972 - 1979
21 Descriptive Catalogue of Members 1900
       
Box 12      
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 1912
    100th Anniversary 1936
    Manual 1885
    Handbook 1918
    Directory 1897/8
    Young People's Society 1887
    Organ Fund Book n.d.

     
       

Subgroup III. Porter Congregational Church -- 1 Box (1 linear foot)
       
Series I: Society and Church Records
       
Box 13      
  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 14      
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 15    
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 II: Voluntary Associations
     
Box 16    
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
     
Box 17    
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 18    
34-36 Woman's Missionary Society of Brockton, minutes, members 1874 - 1880,
1887 - 1891,
1891 - 1899
     
Series III: Church life



Box 19    

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 June 22, 1876
  Account of Rev. Mr. Whitefield in Brockton in 1740  
  Photocopy of robbery 1970

   
     

Subgroup IV: Waldo Congregational Church -- 1 Box
     
Series I: Church Records



Box 20

  Annual Report, special meetings, charter, by-laws, incorporation 1896 - 1923
  Annual and Special Meetings, by-laws 1923 - 1980
  Annual Reports 1948 - 1949
     
Box 21    
  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

 

 

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