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Cambridge, Massachusetts. Pilgrim Congregational Church of Cambridgeport. Records, 1863-1992.
- Collection Information
- Organizational History
- List of Ministers
- Scope and Content
- Box and Folder List
| Title | Cambridge, MA : Pilgrim Congregational Church of Cambridgeport records. |
| Creator | Pilgrim Congregational Church of Cambridgeport (Cambridge, Mass.) Stearns Chapel (Cambridge, Mass.) |
| Dates | 1863-1992 |
| Physical Description | 10 boxes, 10.25 linear feet |
| Collection number | RG 2350 |
| Access Restrictions | No access Restrictions |
| Copyright | Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the archivist or librarian. |
| Language | English |
| Initial inventory by Barbara Austen, September 1992 Collection processed by Helen Schubert, March/April 2011 |
|
Abstract
This collection consists of the records of the Pilgrim Congregational Church of Cambridgeport. It includes official church records, committee records, financial records, membership documents, Sunday School and auxiliary records (especially the Women's Guild), historical notes, photographs, and slides.
Acquisition Information
Donated by Warren L. Milley (Chairman, Board of Trustees) for Pilgrim Congregational Church.
Received from Rev. Norman Bendroth in September 1992.
Organizational History
Stearns Chapel was erected in 1863 and was located on Harvard Street, near Windsor; it was designed primarily as a Mission Sabbath School (established by Prospect Congregational and neighborhood churches in Cambridgeport in 1852) and operated for a number of years by the First and Second Congregational, Baptist and Methodist churches. In 1865 Mr. Edward Abbott began to hold regular services; by fall the church was formally organized and Abbott installed as minister. The Second Congregational, Baptist and Methodist churches withdrew ca. 1866; in 1871 the First Church also withdrew. The church grew rapidly and a new meetinghouse was completed in 1871 at the corner of Magazine and Cottage Street; the name was changed to Pilgrim Congregational Church of Cambridgeport in the same year. The church closed in 1992.
Ministers
Taken from 1865-1965 taken from 100th Anniversary celebration program and 1947 calendar.
| William R. Stone |
1863 | (Mission Sabbath School) |
| Edward Abbott | 1865-1869 | |
| George R. Leavitt | 1870-1885 | |
| George A. Tewksbury | 1885-1889 | |
| Charles Olmstead | 1889-1896 | |
| Frank E. Ramsdell | 1897-1900 | |
| Charles Wesley Gallagher, D.D. |
1900-1902 | (interim) |
| William H. Spence | 1902-1906 | |
| Richard Wright | 1907-1920 | |
| Clarence Wells Dunham, D.D. |
1920-1922 | (interim) |
| Hubert E. Beckwith | 1922-1927 | |
| John E. Jaderquist, Ph.D. | 1927-1928 | (interim) |
| Stanley H. Addison | 1928-1950 | |
| Ralph Ernest Bayes, D.D. | 1950-1951 | (interim) |
| Melvin M. Nyman | 1951-1962 | |
| Ralph Ernest Bayes, D.D. | 1962-1963 | (interim) |
| Philip D. Chamberlain | 1963 | (supply) |
| Ralph Ernest Bayes, D.D. | 1964 | (interim) |
| Donald A. Wells | 1964-1969 | |
| Glen W. Barker | 1970 | (interim) |
| David Steele | 1971-1984 | |
| D. Stewart, O.D. | 1985 | (interim) |
| Norman Bendroth | 1986-1992 |
Scope of Collection
The Pilgrim Congregational Church records document the history and life of the church, beginning with its predecessor church (Stearns Chapel, 1865-1871) and continuing through its closure in 1992. The collection includes church records, financial records, ministers' records, membership records, auxiliary group records (particularly the Women's Guild), historical information, orders of service and programs, and photographs and lantern slides. Records are more comprehensive for the early years of the church (through the early 1930) and the later decades (late 1960s to 1992) than for the middle of the twentieth century (a notable exception is the 75th Anniversary Celebration in 1940, which is well-documented). Researchers should be sure to look at the historical sketches included with the anniversary celebration materials in Series 7.
Arrangement
The Pilgrim Congregational Church Records are arranged in eight series. The records are arranged chronologically. Some series span multiple boxes.
| Series 1 | Stearns Chapel |
| Series 2 | Church Records |
| Series 3 | Financial |
| Series 4 | Ministers |
| Series 5 | Membership |
| Series 6 | Auxiliary Groups, Including Sunday School |
| Series 7 | Historical |
| Series 8 | Photographs and Slides |
Related Material
The finished course a sermon commemorative of Thomas Ferrier Jr., who died July 20th 1865 preached at the Stearns Chapel: Cambridgeport, Sabbath, July 30th by Rev. Edward Abbot (1865). Call No.: 15.0.7 6635 FEA-FIT
A Brief History of Pilgrim Church by Rev George R. Leavitt (1889). Call No.: 30.8.1 1004
Cambridge, MA: Pilgrim Congregational Church of Cambridgeport (1869-1940). Call No.: 17.11.1 C14.24 PILCC
Access Terms
Church records and registers - Massachusetts - Cambridge.
Congregational churches - Massachusetts - Cambridge.
Cambridgeport (Mass.) - Church History.
Cambridge (Mass.) - Church history.
Massachusetts - Church History.
Pilgrim Congregational Church of Cambridgeport (Cambridge, Mass.)
Stearns Chapel (Cambridge, Mass.)
Detailed Description and Container List
Series 1: Stearns Chapel 1865-1872 |
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| The Stearns Chapel records include the Stearns Chapel Manual, membership list, Sabbath School programs, Orders of service, newsletter, correspondence, American Board of Commission for Foreign Missions receipts, and Committee reports for the examination, visiting, and neighborhood prayer meeting committees. There are also records from this time period in Series 5 (Membership). | ||
| Box 1 | ||
| Folder 1 | Stearns Chapel | 1865-1872 |
| Folder 2 | Stearns Chapel Committee Reports | 1860s-1971 |
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Series 2: Church Records 1872-1991 |
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| This series includes the Act of incorporation, church manuals, annual meeting minutes, annual reports, Deacons' and Trustees' records, Church Committee and Standing Committee records, other committee records, and correspondence. Records books for 1872-1914 and "notes on business meetings" for 1915-1930 have these different types of records together in chronological order, along with some membership records. Committee records (not including the Church Committee) are included for the 1970s-1991 only, and do not provide complete coverage. Correspondence is intermittent. Two Books of Church Committee records, covering 1894-1902, were removed due to mold. |
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| Box 1 | ||
| Folder 3 | Act of Incorporation | 1871 |
| Folder 4 | Manual of the Pilgrim Congregational Church | 1873, 1891, 1930 |
| Folders 5-14 | Notes on Business Meetings | 1915-1930 |
| Folder 15 | Warrants to Call Meetings | 1880-1883 |
| Folder 16 | Warrants to Call Meetings | 1888-1891 |
| Folder 17 | Church Election Ballots (Annual Meeting) | 1906-1915 |
| Folder 18 | Annual and Business Meeting Minutes | 1915-1931 |
| Folder 19 | Annual Meetings | 1941-1943 |
| Folder 20 | Annual Reports (Photocopied) | 1896-1897 |
| Folder 21 | Annual Reports | 1914-1915 |
| Folder 22 | Annual Reports | 1917-1931 |
| Folder 23 | Annual Report for 1937 and Correspondence | 1937-1938 |
| Folder 24 |
Annual Report for 1938 and Correspondence | 1938-1940 |
| Folder 25 | Annual Reports | 1940-1942 |
| Folders 26-27 | Annual Reports | 1968-1970, 1973, 1975-1991 |
| Folder 28 | Suffolk North Conference Meetings & Report | 1891, 1908, 1942 |
| Folders 29-32 | Board of Deacons' Records | 1964-1984 |
| Folder 33 | Board of Deacons' Treasurer's Reports | 1987-1988 |
| Folder 34 | Elders' and Deacons' Records | 1980-1990 (gaps) |
| Box 2 | ||
| Folder 1 | Board of Trustees' Minutes and Correspondence | 1991-1992 |
| Folder 2 | Job Descriptions | 1980s |
| Folders 3-7 | Church Committee Minutes | 1871-1881 |
| Folder 8 | Standing Committee Book of Records | 1881-1884 |
| Folder 9 | Standing Committee and Financial Records | 1887-1890 |
| Folders 10-11 | Church Committee Minutes | 1902-1914 |
| Folders 12-17 | Church Committee Minutes | 1915-1950 |
| Folder 18 | Church Committee Records | 1966-1969 |
| Folders 19-23 | Church Committee Minutes and Correspondence | 1971-1984 |
| Folders 24-25 | Church Committee Minutes and Correspondence | 1986-1991 |
| Folder 26 | Church Committee Nominating Committee | 1971-1972 |
| Folder 27 | Committee Lists | 1886-1926 (gaps) |
| Folder 28 | Committee Lists | 1968-1979 (gaps) |
| Box 3 | ||
| Folder 1 | Committee Reports | 1878, 1881 |
| Folder 2 | Calling Committee | 1930s |
| Folder 3 | Calling Committee | 1973-1983 |
| Folder 4 | Property Committee | 1965-1985 (gaps) |
| Folder 5 | Music Committee | 1968-1991 (bulk 1984-1991) |
| Folder 6 | Finance Committee | 1971-1985, 1990 |
| Folder 7 | Evaluation Committee | 1974-1976 |
| Folder 8 | Planning Committee | 1974-1989 |
| Folder 9 | Fellowship Committee | 1980s-1990 |
| Folder 10 | Proposal for New Initiatives in Church Development Funding | 1984 |
| Folder 11 | Vision Task Force | 1989-1991 |
| Folder 12 | Correspondence | 1875-1883 |
| Folders 13-14 | Correspondence | 1886-1891 |
| Folder 15 | Correspondence | 1895-1898 |
| Folder 16 | Correspondence | 1915-1919 |
| Folder 17 | Correspondence | 1920s-1950 |
| Folder 18 | Correspondence | 1987-1990 |
| Box 9 | ||
| Folders 1-3 | Church Records, Bound Volumes | 1872-1914 |
| Folder 4 | Warrants to Call Meetings | 1917-1931 |
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Series 3: Financial 1892-1992 (bulk 1922-1992) |
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| The Financial records predominantly consist of ledgers and treasurers' reports (including benevolence treasurer's reports). Treasurers' reports up through 1942 are annual reports, while Treasurers' reports from 1971-1992 are predominantly monthly reports, with some annual reports included. Also of note are fundraising letters from the pastor and financial committee, wills, trust account, and records related to the rental and sale of church properties. | ||
| Box 3 | ||
| Folder 19 | Financial ledger | 1922-1938 |
| Folders 20-25 | Financial ledgers | 1956-1982 |
| Folder 26 | Financial ledgers | 1987-1988 |
| Folder 27 | Financial ledger | 1990 |
| Folder 28 | Cash and Disbursements | 1969-1970. 1979-1980 |
| Folder 29 | Check Registers | 1986-1987 |
| Box 4 | ||
| Folder 1 | Treasurers' Reports and Fundraising Letters | 1892-1893, 1900-1910 |
| Folder 2-4 | Treasurer's Reports | 1914-1931 |
| Folders 5 | Treasurers' Reports | 1940, 1942 |
| Folders 6-7 | Treasurers' Report Books | 1971-1988 |
| Folders 8-10 | Treasurers' Reports | 1971-1992 |
| Folder 11 | Treasurers' Records | 1880s |
| Folder 12 | Treasurers' Records | 1980s |
| Folder 13 | Financial Records; Statistics for Yearbook | 1924-1931 |
| Folder 14 | Financial Records | 1959-1971 (gaps) |
| Folder 15 | Financial Correspondence | 1959, 1961-1969 |
| Folder 16 | Budgets | 1975-1980 |
| Folder 17 | Tax Returns | 1986 |
| Folder 18 | Fundraising Letters | 1919-1938 (gaps) |
| Folder 19 | Fundraising Letters | 1978-1992 |
| Folder 20 | Stewardship | 1966, 1968-1972 |
| Folder 21 | Offering Envelope Lists | 1968-1972 |
| Folder 22 | Wills | 1920s-1970s |
| Folder 23 | Memorial Gifts | 1971 |
| Folder 24 | James A. Dow Trust Account | 1972-1989 |
| Folder 25 | Alice J. Coolidge Trust Account | 1987-1989 |
| Folder 26 | Church Insurance Policies | 1967-1968 |
| Folder 27 | Property Deeds and Correspondence | 1864-1929 (gaps) |
| Folder 28 | Property (Upton and Kinnaird St.) Records | 1930s-1960s |
| Folder 29 | Property and Financial Records | 1930s-1980 |
| Folder 30 | Building Rentals | 1950s-1970s |
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Series 4: Ministers 1889-1990 (bulk 1889-1928) |
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| The Ministers series consists primarily of records related to the installation and/or resignation of ministers from 1889-1928; not all ministers from this time period are represented. Records for Rev. Hubert Beckwith are more extensive and cover his entire tenure. | ||
| Box 4 | ||
| Folder 31 | Rev. George Tewksbury Resignation | 1889 |
| Folder 32 | Rev. Charles Olmstead Call and Installation | 1889 |
| Folder 33 | Rev. Richard Wright Resignation | 1920 |
| Folder 34 | Rev. Hubert Beckwith | 1922-1928 |
| Folder 35 | Rev. Stanley Addison Installation | 1928 |
| Folder 36 | Rev. Norman Bendroth Pastoral Evaluation | 1989-1990 |
| Folder 37 | Pastor Search Correspondence | 1900-1901 |
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Series 5: Membership 1865-1930 |
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| This series includes lists of members at intermittent points in time, sporadic vital records, and admissions and dismissions (letters indicating a member is joining or leaving the church). An additional box of membership letters was removed due to mold. |
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| Box 4 | ||
| Folder 38 | Membership Book | 1865-1933 |
| Box 5 | ||
| Folder 1 | Church Register | 1870-1884 |
| Folder 2 | Membership Lists | 1889, 1897 |
| Folder 3 | Membership List | 1929 |
| Folder 4 | Membership Lists | 1938 |
| Folder 5 | Membership List | 1968 |
| Folder 6 | Vital Statistics | 1870s-1910s |
| Folder 7 | Vital Statistics: Deaths | 1937 |
| Folder 8 | Membership: Examination of Candidates | 1877 |
| Folder 9 | Membership: Admissions | 1877 |
| Folder 10 | Membership: Dismissions | 1883 |
| Folder 11 | Membership: Admissions and Dismissions | 1897, 1899-1900 |
| Folders 12-18 | Membership: Admissions and Dismissions | 1911, 1917-1930 |
| Folder 19 | Membership Certificate and Covenant | 1920s |
| Box 9 | ||
| Folder 5 | Pastors, Deacons, Members Lists | 1865-1915 |
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Series 6: Auxiliary and Social Groups – Includes Sunday School 1874-1990s |
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| The most complete set of records for the Auxiliary groups is for the Women's Guild Service Club and its antecedents, the Women's Guild and the Ladies' Aid Society. The financial records for these groups from 1895-1962 include membership lists; the records books from 1934-1973 include minutes and annual reports. The series also include records for a small number of other social groups, the Sunday School and other Christian education groups, and the Missions Committee Records for the 1965-1990. | ||
| Box 5 | ||
| Folder 20 | Sunday School Programs | 1874-1923 |
| Folder 21 | Sunday School Annual and Treasurers' Reports | 1923-1931 |
| Folder 22 | Sunday School Annual and Treasurers' Reports | 1941-1943 |
| Folder 23 | Sunday School Records | 1960s-1970s |
| Folder 24 | Sunday School Financial Records | 1964-1966 |
| Folder 25 | Sunday School Financial Records | 1975-1977 |
| Folder 26 | Little Pilgrim Catechism and Missions Class | 1870s-1880s |
| Folder 27 | Christian Education Committee | 1964-1965 |
| Folder 28 | Christian Education Committee | 1987-1990 |
| Folder 29 | Inquirers' Class | 1980s-1990s |
| Folder 30 | Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor | 1889-1890s, 1940s |
| Folder 31 | Women's Missionary Society Secretary's Record Book | 1905-1912 |
| Folder 32 | Philia Club | 1930-1950 |
| Folder 33 | Service Club | 1940s-1950s |
| Folder 34 | Mr. & Mrs. Club Officers and Financial | 1951-1961 |
| Folder 35 | Ladies' Aid Society: Pilgrim Serving Society Cash Book | 1895-1916 |
| Folder 36 | Ladies' Aid Society Treasurer's Books | 1915-1937 |
| Box 6 | ||
| Folder 1 | Women's Guild Missionary, Financial, Membership | 1935-1962 |
| Folder 2 | Women's Guild Annual Reports | 1931-1935 |
| Folders 3-6 | Women's Guild Records | 1934-1966 |
| Folder 7 | Women’s Guild Minutes | 1966-1973 |
| Folder 8 | Women's Guild Service Club | 1975-1978 |
| Folder 9 | Missionary and Benevolence Committee | 1965-1985 (gaps) |
| Folder 10 | Missions Correspondence | 1978-1990 |
| Folder 11 | Missions Scholarship Applications | 1988 |
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Series 7: History, Programs, and Activities 1875-1992 |
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| The Historical records include historical sketches, newspaper clippings, and programs and materials from anniversary celebrations, including a large amount of material concerning the 75th Anniversary celebration. Of particular note is the "Memories of Pilgrim Congregational Church" scrapbook, compiled by the pastor and congregation at the time of its closing in 1992. The series also includes records of church activities and programs, especially from end of the 19th Century through the first half of the 20th Century and during the 1980s, the church's last decade (including both church-sponsored events and community programs with which the church was involved). These records also include issues of Pilgrim/Cambridgeport Together, a newsletter put out by the church in the late 1980s. A copy of "A Brief History of Pilgrim Church" by Rev. George Leavitt (1889) was removed due to mold; a copy of this publication is located in the Congregational Library's holdings. |
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| Box 6 | ||
| Folder 12 | Church Histories | multiple dates |
| Folder 13 | Newspaper Clippings | 1889-1960s |
| Folder 14 | 10th Anniversary Celebration and Historical Discourse | 1875-1876 |
| Folder 15 | 25th Anniversary Celebration | 1890 |
| Folder 16 | 50th Anniversary Celebration and Historical Address | 1915 |
| Folders 17-26 | 75th Anniversary | 1939-1940 |
| Folder 27 | 100th Anniversary Celebration | 1965 |
| Folder 28 | 125th Anniversary Celebration | 1990 |
| Folders 29-30 | Memories of Pilgrim Congregational Church | 1992 |
| Folder 31 | Birthday Anniversary Calendar | 1947 |
| Folder 32 | Pilgrim Congregational Church Worshipbook | 1988 |
| Folder 33 | Orders of Service: Gospel Song Service | 1889-1890 |
| Folders 34-40 | Orders of Service | 1871-1930 (gaps) |
| Box 7 | ||
| Folders 1-3 | Orders of Service | 1934-1939 |
| Folder 4 | Orders of Service | 1940s-1970s |
| Folder 5 | Programs | 1880s-1940s |
| Folder 6 | Auditorium Renovation and Rededication | 1936 |
| Folder 7 | Fellowship and Activities | 1960s-1970s |
| Folder 8 | Organ Preservation and Benefit Concert | 1988-1989 |
| Folder 9 | Festival of Joy | 1989 |
| Folder 10 | Speakers and Events | 1990-1991 |
| Folder 11 | Summer Union Services with First United Presbyterian | 1991 |
| Folder 12 | Multicultural Celebration and Dedication | 1991 |
| Folder 13 | Neighborhood Publicity and Outreach | 1980s |
| Folder 14 | "Together" Outreach Project | 1987-1990 |
| Folder 15 | Pilgrim/Cambridgeport Together | 1987-1990 |
| Folder 16 | "Peace Camp" Soviet Exchange | 1988-1990 |
| Folder 17 | "Children's Haven" Children's Program | 1989 |
| Box 8 | ||
| Folder 1 | Cambridge Clergy for Affordable Housing | 1990-1991 |
| Folder 2 | Cambridge After School Center | 1991-1992 |
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Series 8: Photographs, Slides and Memorabilia 1898-1990 |
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| Included are photographs of the church building and church members. The bulk of the photos are from the 1940s-1960s and from 1990. Some, but not all, of the photographs are labeled, identifying their subjects. There is also one folder containing two buttons from children's programs. The last box contains 75 lantern slides (housed in 6 smaller boxes), primarily of portraits of uniformed military members. | ||
| Box 8 | ||
| Folder 3 | Photograph: Unknown Subject | undated |
| Folder 4 | Photographs: Intermediate Society | 1898 |
| Folder 5 | Photographs | 1940s-1960s |
| Folder 6 | Photographs: Rev. Donald Wells Ordination | 1964 |
| Folder 7 | Photograph: Church Committee | 1967-1968 |
| Folder 8 | Photographs: Church Building | 1990 |
| Folder 9 | Photographs: 125th Anniversary Celebration | 1990 |
| Folder 10 | Photographs for 125th Anniversary Newsletter | multiple dates |
| Folder 11 | Buttons | undated |
| Box 10 | ||
| Boxes 1-6 | Lantern Slides | undated |
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