The Congregational Christian Church and the Evangelical Christian Church Merger Collection was intentionally collected during and after the events that created the United Church of Christ. As it was a collected over a period of twenty-five years, it remained separate and not as accessible as General Council documentation covering the same period. While at times it mimics documentation found in other parts of the Congregational Library and Archives, its singular focus allows greater detail and access for research into the very important part of American religious history. The merger of the Congregational Christian Church and the Evangelical and Reformed Church, first proposed in 1943, resulted in the creation of the United Church of Christ, one of the largest church bodies in the United States. Though the initial vote for the Basis of Union between the two congregations occurred in 1948, it was not until 1961 that the merger was deemed complete with the United Church of Christ running as a single body, and the General Council and General Synod of the respective churches dissolved. During this entire process, extensive documentation was created and collected by individuals and official bodies such as Helen Kenyon, Douglas Horton, the Executive Committee, and the Congregational Historical Society. It was an ask from the Historical Society during the 1960’s to involved parties that brought in much of the correspondence from Helen Kenyon and opposition leader Malcom K. Burton. Ms. Kenyon was also able to provide her personally notated copies of General Council reports, committee minutes, legal documents, and opposition publications, adding value to similar items collected as official archives. The Historical Society’s proactive approach also brought in a considerable amount of published material that was distributed to churches, arguing for and against the union. A very dedicated anti-merger front, led ostensibly by Malcolm K. Burton, stalled the initial vote with publications, speeches, and several lawsuits. The first, and most covered in the press, came from the Cadman Memorial Church in Brooklyn, New York against the Congregational Christian Church Moderator, Helen Kenyon. This case was at first successful as the presiding judge sided with Cadman Memorial Church’s argument and put a legal stop to any more merger proceedings. An appeal from the Congregational Christian Church followed and the decision was reversed; that judge's ruling reprinted and distributed to show there were no longer legal barriers to the merger. Another suit followed, brought by four Congregational churches and ten individuals (Malcolm K. Burton amongst them) from across the United States against the Evangelical and Reformed church and its Treasurer. This second attempt to stop the merger also failed. While the merger was eventually approved and carried out, it did result in many congregations not joining the UCC and forming new groups like the National Association of Congregational Churches and the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference. The very beginnings of these groups, and their arguments, can be seen via the various correspondence and publications put forth by the anti-merger groups like the Committee for the Continuation of the Congregational Christian Church and the League to Uphold Congregational Principles.