South Boston, Boston, Mass. Phillips Church records, 1823-2003.

Collection

Identifier: RG1228

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection focusses on administrative and promotional topics. Administrative records include by-laws, statements of faith, correspondence, meeting minutes, recommendations, disciplinary records, membership lists and resignations, treasurer's records, pew deeds, IRS exemption information, title reports, financial records, budget reports, and audits. Promotional materials include a history of Phillips Church, and two scrapbooks containing programs, correspondence, news clippings, concert posters, holiday service notices, conference and lecture announcements, calendars, yearbooks, and business cards.

Dates

1823-2003

Creator

Phillips Church (South Boston, Boston, 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.

Historical Note

Phillips Church was founded on December 10, 1823, under the name of “The Evangelical Congregational Church of South Boston” by an Ecclesiastical council of thirteen members. The council consisted of three pastors and ten delegates of the Old South, Park Street, and Union Churches of Boston, the First Church of Charlestown, and the Second Church of Dorchester. Rev. Prince Hawes of Glastonbury, Connecticut was appointed as the church's fist pastor and served the church from 1824-1827.

During the Summer of 1823, services were held in Union Hall on Fourth Street, between B and C Streets. The church worshipped there until March 9, 1824, when a small brick church was erected at the corner of Broadway and A street with the financial help of other local churches. The property was held by twelve trustees, four each from Park Street, Old South, and Union Churches.

On March 25, 1834, the Phillips Church Society was incorporated. The name was adopted because it was believed that A Street would soon be renamed Phillips Street, after the first mayor of Boston, John Phillips. The change was never affected, but the church’s name remained.

In 1836, a larger wooden church was built at the same location on Broadway and A Street. There was considerable growth of services and membership after relocating to Broadway and A Street. However, on June 13, 1845, the church dismissed fifty-seven members to form the Payson Church. Later, on July 10, 1857, the church dismissed seventy-two members to form the Church of Unity. These churches were later unified into the E Street Church. A Phillips Church member council was formed to discuss the issue of decreasing membership and ultimately decided against dissolution due to the loyalty of existing members. The Broadway and A Street building was sold in 1858. The last service at this location was on July 27, 1958. A new building was erected on Broadway, near Dorchester Street, and the first services were held on November 5, 1858. In 1879, the Church’s location on Broadway underwent extensive renovations and the new edifice was rededicated on December 10.

The Phillips Church joined with Conservative Congregational Christian Conference (CCCC) in 1960. The Phillips Church was dissolved circa 2003.

Extent

2.25 Cubic Feet (3 boxes; 1 oversized file folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Phillips Church was founded on December 10, 1823, under the name of “The Evangelical Congregational Church of South Boston” by an Ecclesiastical council of thirteen original members. Services were held in Union Hall on Fourth Street, between B and C Streets, until March 9, 1924, when a small brick church was erected at the corner of Broadway and A street. On March 25, 1834, the church was incorporated. It was named after the first mayor of Boston, John Phillips. A larger wooden church was built in 1836 at the same location on Broadway and A Street. Services were held there until the building was sold in 1858. A new building was erected on Broadway, near Dorchester Street, and the first service was held on November 5, 1858. In 1879, the Church’s location on Broadway underwent extensive renovations, and the new edifice was rededicated on December 10. The Phillips Church joined with Conservative Congregational Christian Conference (CCCC) in 1960. The Phillips Church was dissolved circa 2003. The Phillips Church Records collection includes bound volumes of church records, administrative and financial documents, and two scrapbooks containing promotional materials such as programs, correspondence, news clippings, and yearbooks.

Arrangement

The Phillips Church records have been arranged into the two series listed below. Records in each series have been arranged chronologically by date created. When appropriate, similiar and continuous materials have been grouped together.

Series 1: Administrative records, 1823-2003

Series 2: Promotional materials, 1826-1928

Acquisition Information

Materials were acquired by the Congregational Library & Archives prior to August 1963. The Phillips Congregational Church donated two photographs in May 1997. A further aquisition of materials was likely deposited in 2003.

Bibliography

Articles of Faith and Form of Covenant, adopted by the Phillips Church in South Boston. Together with the Names of The Members. “Formation.” Kidder and Wright, 1841. 17.11.1 B65.5 PhiCC.

Articles of Faith and Form of Covenant, adopted by the Phillips Church of South Boston, Together with The Names of The Members. “History of Phillips Church.” Wright & Potter, Printers, 1860. 17.11.1 B65.5 PhiCC.

Manual of the Phillips Church, Boston. “Historical Sketch.” Alfred Mudge & Sons, Printers, 1882. 17.11.1 B65.5 PhiCC.

Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of Phillips Congregational Church, South Boston, Mass. “Historical Address” and “Anniversary Sermon.” 1898. 17.11.1 B65.5 PhiCC.

Processing Information

An inventory was created by Lisa Plato in 1997. The collection was processed by Jess Steytler in 2008. The collection was re-processed by Randall Seder in October 2025.