Somerset, Mass. First Christian Union Church records, 1840-1912.
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of three bound volumes, including the earliest record books and other materials from the First Christian Union Church of Somerset, Massachusetts. The first volume, in chronological order by start date, is a record book for the church and society containing membership information, vital statistics such as baptisms, admissions, dismissions, disciplinary cases, and deaths, as well as meeting minutes pertaining to the selection of church officers and pastors, finances, and a chronicle of church events. The second volume is a record book for the society, containing a copy of the church's covenant and administrative records, including committee assignments and correspondence. The third volume is an administrative record book kept by the Ladies' Industrial Association which includes bylaws and meeting minutes.
Dates
- 1840-1912
Creator
- Christian Band of Somerset. (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
In 1838, a group of thirty, known as the "Christian Band", signed a covenant to organize a church community in the village of Pottersville in Somerset, Massachusetts. The covenant led, in November 1840, to the construction of a meetinghouse. On May 26, 1841, a ceremony was held for the dedication of the new meetinghouse and its acceptance into the Christian denomination. Later that year William Shurtleff was called to be the first pastor of the religious society known as the First Christian Union Society in Somerset, Massachusetts.
It was not until 1911 that the First Christian Church, as it came to be known, was incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts. In 1939, a vote was taken to change the name to the Congregational Christian Church of Somerset Centre. The church is still active today as the Congregational Christian Church of Somerset and has been a member of the United Church of Christ since 1957.
Extent
.22 Cubic Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The First Christian Union Church and Society were formed in the Pottersville, Somerset area as early as 1838 by a "Christian Band" comprising thirty members, though the church was not officially incorporated until 1911. In 1939 the name was changed to the Congregational Christian Church of Somerset Centre. These records consists of three bound volumes, including the earliest record books of the church and society, respectively, and a book of meeting minutes and bylaws of the Ladies' Industrial Association.
Arrangement
Materials have been arranged in chronological order by start date.
Technical Requirements
To access digital user’s copies via online-interface, a java-enabled web browser is required. Internet Explorer 8.x and later, Firefox 5.x and later, Opera 12 and later, Safari 5.x and later, or any version of Google Chrome are recommended.
Acquisition Information
Materials were loaned to the Congregational Library & Archives by the Congregational Christian Church of Somerset in June 2012; 2012-3.
Accruals
Additional accruals are expected for this collection in the form of full-text transcription. There is no anticipated date for this accrual.
Bibliography
Processing Information
Processed and described by Jules Thomson, September 2019, using DACS Second Edition.
- Baptismal records.
- Christian Band of Somerset.
- Church discipline.
- Church membership.
- Church records and registers.
- Church societies.
- Covenants (Church polity).
- Excommunication.
- First Christian Society (Somerset, Mass.)
- First Christian Union Church (Somerset, Mass.)
- Installation (clergy).
- Necrologies.
- New England's Hidden Histories.
- Ordination.
- Somerset (Mass.) -- Church history.
- Women -- Societies and clubs.
Creator
- Christian Band of Somerset. (Organization)
- First Christian Society (Somerset, Mass.) (Organization)
- First Christian Union Church (Somerset, Mass.) (Organization)
- Title
- Somerset, Mass. First Christian Union Church records, 1840-1912.
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jules Thomson
- Date
- 2019-09-27
- Description rules
- Dacs2 2013
- 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