West Brookfield, Mass. First Congregational Church records, 1754-1917.
Scope and Contents
The West Brookfield, Mass. First Congregational Church records document the history and life of the church, including membership lists, church correspondence, church and parish meeting minutes, committee reports, treasurer's reports, baptism and marriage documents, documents related to the burial grounds, documents related to the division of Brookfield, pew deeds, and certificates of organization.
Dates
- 1754-1917
Creator
- Congregational Church (West Brookfield, Mass.) (Organization)
Restrictions on Access
Access to this collection is unrestricted and open to the public.
Restrictions on Use
Items in this collection are subject to U.S. Copyright Law. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine the copyright status of collection items and to secure any permissions necessary for their reproduction and publication. Requests for permission to publish material must be discussed with the archivist or librarian.
Digital Reproductions are protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use the Digital Reproductions in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the Congregational Library & Archives for educational uses. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the Congregational Library & Archives. For additional information regarding copyright, please consult the Congregational Library & Archives' Digital Collections Copyright & Use policy.
Historical Note
The early history of Brookfield, and the congregational church within, is difficult to discern, with most of the earliest town records having been lost to fire and the earliest church records too being lost to time. The town of Brookfield was first settled during the 1660s. The first meeting house in Brookfield was built atop Foster’s Hill in Brookfield, though there were likely long periods where worship at that location was impossible due to ongoing conflicts with Native Americans. In 1715, construction began on the second meeting house and in 1717 the First Church was officially gathered. The third meeting house was constructed in 1755 about a half mile northwest of Foster Hill and in 1794 the fourth meeting house was constructed on the same spot as the third.
West Brookfield split from Brookfield in 1848. At that time the First Church changed its name to Congregational Church. The church joined the United Church of Christ in 1964 and likely around that time changed its name again to First Congregational Church. The church continues to serve its community today.
Extent
1.09 Cubic Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The town of Brookfield was first settled during the 1660s. The first meeting house in Brookfield was built atop Foster's Hill in Brookfield and shortly after construction began on the second meeting house, the First Church was officially organized in 1717. West Brookfield split from Brookfield in 1848 and the First Church became Congregational Church. The church joined the United Church of Christ in 1964. The records include membership lists, church correspondence, church and parish meeting minutes, and vital records.
Arrangement
This collection has been arranged in chronological order and where appropriate materials have been grouped together by topic.
Technical Requirements
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Acquisition Information
Records deposited to the Congregational Library & Archives in October 1967 by the Rev. George Worcester. No accession number available.
Additional records gifted to the Congregational Library & Archives in 1998 by the First Congregational Church of West Brookfield, Massachusetts. No accession number available.
Accruals
Additional accruals are expected for this collection in the form of full-text transcription. There is no anticipated date for this accrual.
Processing Information
Processed by Zachary Bodnar, September 2017, using DACS Second Edition.
- Baptismal records.
- Brookfield (Mass.) -- Church history.
- Cemeteries.
- Church membership.
- Church records and registers.
- Congregational Church (West Brookfield, Mass.)
- First Church (Brookfield, Mass.)
- First Congregational Church (West Brookfield, Mass.)
- Marriage records.
- New England's Hidden Histories.
- Pews and pew rights.
- West Brookfield (Mass.) -- Church history.
Creator
- Congregational Church (West Brookfield, Mass.) (Organization)
- First Church (Brookfield, Mass.) (Organization)
- First Congregational Church (West Brookfield, Mass.) (Organization)
- Title
- West Brookfield, Mass. First Congregational Church records, 1754-1917.
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Zachary Bodnar
- Date
- 2017-09-15
- Description rules
- 3
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Congregational Library & Archives Repository