Calumet Regional Archives

Inventory

2.25 Linear Feet
January 1985
Revised May 1989

Introduction

Miss Marie Edwards donated the First Congregational Church Records to the Calumet Regional Archives on February 7, 1984.

Property rights in the collection are held by the Calumet Regional Archives; literary rights are dedicated to the public. There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Linear feet of shelf space; 2.25 linear feet
Number of container: 3 boxes
Calumet Regional Archives Collection 164
Processed by: Mark A. Vargas
Date: January, 1985
Revised: May 1989

Scope and Content

The records document the history of the First Congregational Church of Gary from 1908 to 1966. Most of the information is detailed in records of church organizations and Sunday bulletins. In the Annual Reports from 1947 to 1962 the researcher can usually find documentation for the following groups or committees: Minister, Deacon, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Membership, Clerk, Adult Fellowship, Church School, Music, Flower, Trustee, Usher, Nominating, Girl Scout, Pilgrim Fellowship, and the Mayflower Guild. Also, the correspondence of the pastors deals with their appointments and resignations, and their role in church anniversary celebrations.

Researchers may find useful the membership rosters from 1946 in Trustee Records, 1942-1946; 1962 and 1963 in the respective Annual Reports; and 1964 in Newsletters, 1950-1965.

Researchers may also be interested in the church's position on race relations. The minutes of a special meeting to consider the enrollment of black members can be found in the Minutes, Congregation, Race and Membership file. Documentation of the proposed dismissal of Rev. O.M. Hepler can be found in respondence file. Researchers may also wish to review church bulletins from 1963 and 1964 on the race issue. The church published a special bulletin on the murder of black Birmingham, Alabama schoolchildren, which is found after the 22 September 1963 bulletin.

Also of interest is the 1919 church pledge against "anti-Americanisms," found in the Historical Information file, Box 1, Folder 1.

Other collections held by the Calumet Regional Archives concerning church history include the City Methodist Church Records (CRA 020); St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church Records (CRA 147); and Christ Church (Episcopal) Records (CRA 158).

Historical Sketch

The history of the First Congregational Church of Gary began in 1906, when pioneers held Sunday School under oak trees at what is now Third and Broadway. In 1907, at the Broadway Nickel Theater, the congregation started proceedings for affiliation with the Congregational Church. Among the original trustees was Ora L. Wildermuth.

The church received its charter in 1908, and laid the cornerstone for its building at sixth and Madison on December 7, 1908. A new church building was built at Sixth and Grant in 1926.

On February 6, 1966 the First Congregational Church was unified with the Fifth Avenue United Church of Christ as the First United Church of Christ. On January 30, 1972, the Peace United Church of Christ was founded by the unification of the First United Church of Christ and Christ the King United Church of Merrillville. Groundbreaking for the church's present location took place on September 29, 1974.

Pastors of the First Congregational Church were the Rev. Arthur Sullens, Rev. Willard C. Lyon, Rev. Frederick E. Hopkins, Rev. Luke Stuart, Rev. Eric Lindh, Rev. C.J. Armstrong, Rev. Merrill Beale, Rev. Ray Barber, Rev. Orville Hepler, Rev. John Schofield, Rev. Charles Jennings, Rev. Uesley Durland, and Rev. Paul Metzer.

Subject Tracings

• Churches
• Congregationalism
• First Congregational Church (Gary)
• Gary
• Girl Scouts
• Race Relations
• Religious Organizations
• Wildermuth, Ora