First Universalist Society (Cambridge, Mass.). Records, 1821-1958
Overview
Society records and correspondence, including membership lists and minutes, 1821-1923; Church records, including membership records, 1825-1944, lists of baptisms, 1830-1950, marriages, 1939-1950, and deaths, 1939-1950; minutes and records of services, 1827-1953; financial records, 1826-1958; Sunday School records, 1838-1944; Literary and Social Union records, 1869-1887; scrapbook material, including programs, clippings, orders of service; photographs of church building and members.
Dates
- Creation: 1821-1958
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions on access to this collection.
Extent
2 Feet (7 boxes)This collection consists of society records and correspondence, including membership lists and minutes, 1821-1923; church records, including membership records, 1825-1944, lists of baptisms, 1830-1950, marriages, 1939-1950, and deaths, 1939-1950; minutes and records of services, 1827-1953; financial records, 1826-1958; Sunday School records, 1838-1944; Literary and Social Union records, 1869-1887; scrapbook material, including programs, clippings, orders of service; and photographs of the church building and members.
Historical note
The First Universalist Society in Cambridge was incorporated February 9, 1822, and its meeting house at the corner of Main Street and Front Street (later called Massachusetts Avenue) was dedicated December 18, 1822. The church was organized June 19, 1827. In 1888, the meeting house was moved to its present location on Inman Street. The Society was dissolved on May 14, 1958.
Ministers
- 1823-1831 Thomas Whittemore
- 1831-1832 Samuel P. Skinner
- 1832-1839 Lucius R. Paige
- 1842-1845 Lemuel Willis
- 1846-1848 Luther J. Fletcher
- 1849-1852 Edwin A. Eaton
- 1853-1867 Charles A. Skinner
- 1868-1873 Benjamin F. Bowles
- 1874-1886 Oscar F. Safford
- 1887-1891 Alphonso E. White
- 1892-1915 George W. Bicknell
- 1915-1922 Arthur E. Wilson
- 1923-1938 Otto S. Raspe
- 1939-1950 Frank B. Chatterton
Ministers
- 1823-1831
- Thomas Whittemore
- 1831-1832
- Samuel P. Skinner
- 1832-1839
- Lucius R. Paige
- 1842-1845
- Lemuel Willis
- 1846-1848
- Luther J. Fletcher
- 1849-1852
- Edwin A. Eaton
- 1853-1867
- Charles A. Skinner
- 1868-1873
- Benjamin F. Bowles
- 1874-1886
- Oscar F. Safford
- 1887-1891
- Alphonso E. White
- 1892-1915
- George W. Bicknell
- 1915-1922
- Arthur E. Wilson
- 1923-1938
- Otto S. Raspe
- 1939-1950
- Frank B. Chatterton
Arrangement
Organized into the following series:
- Series I. Society records, 1821-1923
- Series II. Church records, 1825-1953
- Series III. Treasurer's records, 1836-1958
- Series IV. Sunday School records, 1838-1944
- Series V. Miscellaneous records, 1869-1940
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of the Universalist Historical Society, 1976.
Processed by:
Elizabeth Ann Falsey, 1978
- Title
- First Universalist Society (Cambridge, Mass.) Records (bMS 258): A Finding Aid
- Author
- Andover-Harvard Theological Library
- Language of description
- und
- EAD ID
- div00258
Repository Details
Part of the Harvard Divinity School Library, Harvard University Repository
Special Collections at Harvard Divinity School Library preserves and makes accessible primary source materials documenting the history of religion and theology, with particular historical emphasis on American liberal religious traditions. Though the historical strengths of the collections have been in the field of Christianity, other religious traditions are increasingly reflected, in step with Harvard Divinity School's evolving focus on global religious studies. Known as Andover-Harvard Theological Library since 1911, it was renamed the Harvard Divinity School Library in 2021.
45 Francis Avenue
Cambridge MA 02138-1911 USA
(617) 496-2485
ask@hds.harvard.libanswers.com