Livonia, Mich. Pilgrim United Church of Christ records, 1913-1980.

Collection

Identifier: RG5544

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the records of the Pilgrim United Church of Christ, Livonia, Michigan, and its various predecessor churches. The majority of this collection is vital records, such as Baptismal records, Marriage records, and membership records. The collection also contains some administrative records, including meeting minutes, correspondence, and legal records.

Dates

1913-1980

Creator

Pilgrim United Church of Christ (Livonia, Mich.) (Organization)

Restrictions on Access

Access to this collection is unrestricted and open to the public.

Restrictions on Use

Access to this collection is unrestricted and open to the public.

Historical Note

The Brewster Congregational Church in Detroit, Michigan, was gathered in 1894. In 1924, the Brewster Congregational Church merged with the Pilgrim Congregational Church, gathered in 1915, to form the Brewster Pilgrim Congregational Church. In 1957, the Brewster Pilgrim Congregational Church partnered with the Mount Hope Congregational Church, gathered 1889, to form the Pilgrim Congregational Church of Greater Detroit. This combined entity sold the Brewster Pilgrim Congregational Church building in 1957 and purchased a new building in Livonia, Michigan, which became the home of the newly reformed Pilgrim Congregational Church.

The exact relationship between Mount Hope Congregational Church and the Pilgrim Congregational Church after 1958 is unclear; the churches seem to have operated independently after this point. The Mount Hope Congregational Church moved to Livonia in 1964 and continues to serve the community today. The Pilgrim Congregational Church joined the United Church of Christ and between 1967 and 1969, the church was renamed to Pilgrim United Church of Christ. In 1969, the church federated with the Livonia Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The Pilgrim United Church of Christ dissolved in 1979; in 1980 the church building was sold to the Livonia Christian Church.

Extent

0.85 Cubic Feet (3 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Brewster Congregational Church in Detroit, Michigan, was gathered in 1894. It merged with the Pilgrim Congregational Church in 1924 to form the Brewster Pilgrim Congregational Church. The church moved to Livonia, Michigan, in 1957 and reformed as the Pilgrim Congregational Church. By 1969, the church was renamed to Pilgrim United Church of Christ. The church dissolved in 1979. This collection contains, primarily, vital records, such a membership records, marriage records, and baptismal records, as well as a smaller amount of administrative records.

Arrangement

Materials in this collection have been arranged into the three series listed below. Materials within each series have been arranged in chronological order by start date.

Series 1: Brewster Congregational Church records, 1913-1925

Series 2: Brewster Pilgrim Congregational Church records, 1922-1957

Series 3: Pilgrim United Church of Christ records, 1956-1980

Acquisition Information

Materials were donated to the Congregational Library & Archives by the Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society in March 2021; accession 2021-04.

The contents of the "Ministerial search documents, 1958" folder were originally found in the Detroit, MI: Brewster Congregational Church. (1907) local church history file (17.11.1 D48.5 B7) and transfered to the archives in April, 2025.