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Boston, Mass. Berkeley Temple Congregational Church records, 1827-1907.

 Collection
Identifier: RG0029

Scope and Contents

This collection contains materials relating to the Berkeley Temple Congregational Church in Boston. The collection includes records of the church and it's community, including administrative records such as pew tax records, cash ledgers, and examining committee records. The vital records include church registers, membership lists, and a necrology. The community records of this collection include Sunday school records, which contain minutes, rolls, and receiving books. The ecclesistic council materials contain correspondence and documents regarding the continued involment of an ecclesistic council with church affairs and community from 1845-1906. The church programming and events materials contain bulletins, circulars, a print, and a scrapbook which detail annual and special events at the church.

Dates

  • 1827-1907

Creator

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

The Pine Street Church was formed in 1827 in Boston by the then five Orthodox Congregational Churches, those being Old South Church, Park St. Church, Essex St. Church, Green St. Church, and the Hanover St. Church, who voted to build two new meeting houses with the goal of expanding religious influence in the city. One meeting house was located in the North End and the other in the South End at the corner of Pine Street and Washington Street, which would later become the Pine Street Church. $30,000 was raised to fund the construction; unfortunately the funds raised were insufficient to cover the costs of both buildings. After the funds were split between the churches, both meeting houses were forced to take on over $20,000 of debt to complete construction. When the Pine Street Church was formed in September of 1827, just months after the building was completed, the forty two members of the church took on the debt that came with the construction of the building at the recommendation of the founding churches. The Pine Street Church had difficulties retaining members and pastors alike due, in part, to the difficulties the church faced managing their debt. After a failed attempt to renovate and lease a portion of the meeting house in 1851, the debt had climbed to over $30,000. With few options left, in April of 1857, the five founding churches that had initiated its construction and the Committee of the Pine Street Church met to discuss the sale of the church’s property. The church building was sold just months later in July of 1857. With the sale of the building, the Pine Street Church and Society was able to eliminate their debt and secure the funds necessary to purchase land for a new church building at the intersection of Berkeley Street and Warren Avenue in the South End of Boston. By 1861, the new church was completed and had changed its name to the Berkeley Street Church. In 1888, the Berkeley Street Church changed their name to Berkeley Temple. Free from their debt troubles, the church was able to eliminate the pew taxes that they had formerly relied on to pay expenses. The much larger church building was able to accommodate a growing number of members, as well as its Sunday school. They were able to increase their influence and membership by sending out circulars, as well as canvassing efforts in surrounding neighborhoods. They also promoted other church activities such as the Young Men’s Institute and various classes on arithmetic, grammar, typewriting, and more, which were offered to men and women alike. In 1904, the name of the church was changed to Berkeley Temple Congregational Church. At the suggestion of the ecclesiastical council, the Berkeley Temple Congregational Church merged with the Union Congregational Church in 1907, which later merged with the Old South Church in 1948.

Extent

3.32 Cubic Feet (5 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Pine Street Church was formed in 1827. In April of 1857, the Committee of the Pine Street Church met to discuss the sale of the church’s property. The church building was later sold in July of 1857. After the sale of the building, the Pine Street Church and Society purchased land for a new church building at the intersection of Berkeley Street and Warren Avenue in the South End of Boston. By 1861, the new church was completed and had changed its name to the Berkeley Street Church. In 1887, the Berkeley Street Church changed their name to Berkeley Temple. In 1904, the name of the church was changed once more to Berkeley Temple Congregational Church. At the suggestion of an ecclesiastical council, the Berkeley Temple Congregational Church merged with the Union Congregational Church in 1907, which later merged with the Old South Church in 1948. This collection includes church records of administrative and vital records, including church registers, correspondence, pew tax records, committee reports, and cash ledgers. The collection also includes community records such as Sunday school minute and roll books, ecclesiastical council letters, circulars, and a scrapbook.

Arrangement

The Berkeley Temple Congregational Church records have been arranged into two series listed below. Series 1 has been further divided into 2 sub-series, and series 2 has been divided into 3 sub-series. Records in each series and sub-series have been primarily arranged chronologically by start date, and secondarily by topic.

Series 1: Church records, 1827-1907

Subseries 1: Administrative records, 1827-1907

Subseries 2: Vital records, 1827-1906

Series 2: Church Community records, 1836-1906

Subseries 1: Sunday school records, 1836-1906

Subseries 2: Ecclesiastic council records, 1845-1906

Subseries 3: Church programming and events, 1867-1906

Immediate Source of Acquisition

No acquisition information is available for this collection.

Bibliography

Committee of the Pine St. Society. A Church for the Masses in Boston. Boston: Press of Edward L. Balch, 1858. 7.11.1 B65.5 BerTC

Dickinson, Charles. The work of Berkeley Temple, Boston, organized for city evangelization, Christian nurture, practical Christianity. Boston, 1888. 7.11.1 B65.5 BerTC

Processing Information

Originally processed in 1988. Re-processed by Rachel Groh, April 2024, using DACS second edition.

Title
Boston, Mass. Berkeley Temple Congregational Church records, 1827-1907.
Status
Completed
Author
Rachel Groh
Date
2024-04-09
Description rules
3
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Congregational Library & Archives Repository

Contact:
14 Beacon Street
Suite 200
Boston MA 02108
617-523-0470