00806.xml MINNESOTA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES An Inventory of Its Records at the Minnesota Historical Society Finding aid prepared by David B. Peterson National Historical Publications and Records Commission. Minnesota Historical Society

St. Paul, MN.

Manuscripts Collection

Finding aid encoded by David B. PetersonNovember 19, 2010 Finding aid written in English. January 2012 Updated by Shelby Edwards because of additional materials OVERVIEW Minnesota Historical Society Minnesota Council of Churches. Organization records. 1856-1992. Materials in English. Correspondence and miscellaneous papers, trustees' and directors' minutes and reports, financial records, and some photographs of a statewide ecumenical agency formed in 1948 bringing together mainline-Protestant denominations in Minnesota to manifest unity in the church, to build common good in the world, and to build relationships between denominations and also within the larger religious community and with other organizations, agencies, and institutions within the nonprofit and public sectors across the state. 48.2 cubic feet (49 boxes and 1 partial box). See Detailed Description for shelf locations. SCOPE AND CONTENTS

The collection includes material on the many activities of the Council, including youth programs, anniversary celebrations, the Minnesota Protestant Center, interracial programs, ecumenical activities, information about individual lay persons, and international programs. There is no box 10.

ARRANGEMENT

The collection is organized into the following sections:

Administrative Files Executive Director's Files Proceedings and Scrapbooks Financial Records Subject Files CATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics: Church and state -- Minnesota. Interdenominational cooperation -- Minnesota. Public welfare -- Minnesota. Social justice. Persons: Merriman, Willis J. Stright, Hayden L. Document Types: Photographs. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Minnesota Council of Churches. Organization records. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: 5317; 8643; 11,223; 12,084; 12,242;12,365; 16,365; 16,562

Processing Information:

Processing and cataloging of this collection was supported with a Basic Project grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Catalog ID number: 007228671

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Administrative Files 146.K.10.1B 1 List of officers, 1859-1962. Correspondence and miscellaneous papers, 1874-1968. 10 folders. Minutes and reports, 1905-1946. 12 folders. 146.K.10.2F 2 Minutes and reports, 1947-1970. 15 folders. Committee on Advance, 1942-1957. 90th anniversary, 1948-1949. 146.K.20.9B 9 Records of organized classes, 1911-1916. Miscellaneous agendas, minutes, and reports, 1929-1958. Posters. Board of Trustees, minutes, 1945-1964. 4 folders. Board of Directors, 1965-1967, 1972-1973. 2 folders. Minute book: Social Education and Action Committee, 1948-1959. Church and Labor Meeting, 1949-1950. Legislative Committee, 1949-1950. Race Relations, 1949-1960. Peace Work Group, 1954-1960. State conventions, 1929-1930, 1932. State convention, 1939. 147.F.8.1B 33 General Assembly files, 1967-1978. 8 folders.

1971 missing. Includes minutes, reports to assembly (assemblies for some years), and material distributed at assembly (not all data is present for each year). See also general assembly files in Executive Director's file series.

Board of Director's meeting files, 1980-1981. 6 folders. Executive Advisory Committee minutes, 1974-1982. Executive Advisory Committee files, 1981-1985. 5 folders. Committee files: Finance Committee, 1983. Indian Advisory Committee, 1974-1978. 2 folders. Interreligious Committee, Jewish/Christian relations, 1978-1982. 147.F.8.2F 34 Personnel Committee, 1982-1983. 2 folders. Program Committee, 1975-1976. Social Justice Committee, 1978-1984. 6 folders. Coalition of Churches for Migrant Concerns, 1973-1979. Minnesota Council of Churches general file: 1981-1982.

Chronological file covering many aspects of MCC work.

147.F.8.3B 35 Minnesota Council of Churches general file: April 1983-January 1986. Minnesota Council of Churches chronological file: March 1985-September 1985. 147.F.8.4F 36 Minnesota Council of Churches chronological file: October 1985-January 1986. 147.F.8.5B 37 Regional files: 1960s-1980s. General. 147.F.8.6F 38 TWO (Todd-Otter Tail-Wadena) Project, 1970s. General. Executive Director's Files 151.B.15.13B 22 Stright, Hayden L., materials, 1912-1975.

Personal correspondence, printed materials, photographs relating to his MCC work, and typed transcript of Together: The Story of Church Cooperation in Minnesota.

151.B.15.14F 23 Stright, Hayden L., materials, 1912-1975. 147.F.8.7B 39 Merriam, Willis J., MCC files, 1975-1981: Administrative Committee. Advocating Change Together (ACT). AELC. Agricultural Extension Service. American Lutheran Church - national. American Lutheran Church - northern Minnesota. American Lutheran Church - southeastern Minnesota. American Lutheran Church - southwestern Minnesota. Amnesty International. Baptismal statement. Baptists. Battered Women's Committee. 4 folders. Bell, Monroe. Brethren. Brochures. Budget Council. Budget, 1979-1981. 2 folders. By-laws. Catholic. Catholic Conference file. Chaplaincy Advisory Committee. Chaplaincy Advisory Committee, University of Minnesota. CHARIS. Chemical dependency. Children's Defense Fund. Church and Community Development. Church and Community resources. Church Women United. Church World Service and Fund Raising Unit. Conference Point Camp. Citizens League. Clergy Economic Conference, 1977-1981. 6 folders. 147.F.8.8F 40 Clergy and Laity Concerned. Clipping service. Coalition Resource Unit. Communications, Greg Young. Inter-religious Biomedical Ethics Committee. 3 folders. Nominating Committee. Personnel Committee. Synod of Lakes and Prairies. Program Cabinet, 1977-1982. Merriam, Willis J., personal files:

Including some files as Associate Executive Director of MCC (1969) and some as head of the Wisconsin Council of Churches.

Personal, 1971-1980. 2 folders. Speaking engagements, 1971. Nairobi Conference, 1975. Ecumenical models, 1975. Race relations, 1954-1968. American Baptist, 1965-1970. General business, 1969. United Protestant Church, Silver Bay, 1965-1979. Congratulations, 1970. Executive Director's files:

These files were used during the tenure of multiple executive directors.

Administrative Committee, 1970-1978. Bicentennial Resource Network, 1975-1976. CAN/CE (Center and Network for Church Educators), 1976-1978. Church and Community Development Resource Unit, 1975-1978. Commission on Life and Work, 1986-1988. Communications Resource Unit, 1978-1983. Constitutional Review Task Force, 1984-1985. 147.F.8.9B 41 Denominational executives, 1948-1970. Ecumenical Youth Encounter, 1949-1974. 4 folders. Fort Snelling Chapel, 1979-1984. General Assembly files, 1965, 1967-1978. 14 folders. Hispanic ministry, 1970-1978 1984-1987. 2 folders. Indian ministry, 1967-1973. Iron Range Report by Karl N. Aho, 1963. MCC History Committee, 1967-1971. 147.F.8.10F 42 MCC structure, 1969. Migrant concerns, 1977-1978. Minnesota Christian Youth Council, 1963-1968. Minnesota Church Center, 1976-1978. Minnesota Foodshare, 1984-1986. Minnesota religious directories, 1981. News releases, 1971-1973. Program Cabinet, 1970-1977. Program Cabinet minutes, 1982-1984. Regions, 1973-1976. Region 1, 1974-1978. Region 2, 1976-1978. Region 3, 1972-1978. Region 4, 1974-1978. Region 5, 1976-1978. Region 6E, 1973-1978.

Region 6W, 1974-1978. Region 7E, 1973-1978. Region 7W, 1976-1978. Region 8, 1973-1978. Region 9, 1976-1978. Region 10, 1973-1978. Region 11 (TCMCC), 1971-1978. Religion and Leisure Committee minutes, 1965-1973. Religion and Public Education, 1967-1979. 3 folders. Rural, crisis and hope, 1986-1988. Rural, health initiatives, 1986. 147.I.8.1B 43 Rural, regional life transformation, 1988-1990. Rural, rural life consultations, 1985-1992. Rural, visions from the heartland, 1985-1986. Rural Coalition, 1985. Social Concerns Committee, 1974-1979. Social Justice Committee, minutes, 1982-1985. Sponsorship and Refugee Program (SARP), 1979-1984. State park ministry, 1966-1972. 2 folders. State pastor's conference, 1971-1974. Study and Planning Committee for Leadership Development, 1968-1970. Town and country churches, 1965-1970. Tri-Council Coordinating Committee, 1967-1969. United Protestant Church, Silver Bay, 1957-1987. Women in ministry, 1981-1982. Board of director's minutes, 1984. Church Center Commission, 1984. Ecumenical Committee on Refugee Services, 1985. General Assembly, 1983-1984. Hunger Action Coalition, 1982-1985. Joint Religious Education and Research Fund. Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, 1983-1986. Mission, 1984. Program Cabinet, 1984. Radio and television, 1984. Refugee services, 1984-1986. Regional Committee, 1982. Un-filed miscellany, 1980s. Proceedings and Scrapbooks 151.B.14.15B 8 Proceedings of annual conventions and scrapbook, 1856-1885. 1 volume. Scrapbook, 1867-1891. 1 volume. Scrapbook, 1891-1895. 1 volume. Scrapbook, 1905-1915. 1 volume. Blue Earth County Sabbath School Association, 1868-1908. 1 volume. Financial Records 151.B.15.15B 24 Budgets, financial reports and bank information, 1960s-1970s. 151.B.15.16F 25 Budgets, financial reports and bank information, 1960s-1970s. 148.C.12.8F 26 Ledger, 1967-1971. 1 volume. Journals, 1972-1975. 4 volumes. Cafeteria receipts and disbursements journal, 1967-1968. 1 volume.

With some entries from 1964 and 1966.

Trial balances, 1962-1968. 2 volumes. Receipts and disbursements register, 1960-1962. 1 packet.

Includes capital fund.

Dodge County Sunday School Association records 1935-1948. 1 small box.

Includes minutes and financial records.

148.C.13.1B 27 Registers of receipts and disbursements, 1953-1963. 2 volumes. 148.C.13.2F 28 Registers of receipts and disbursements, 1925-1942. 1 volume. Ledger, 1953-1959. 1 volume. Payroll summary, 1967-1969. 1 volume. Social security and income tax book, 1968. 1 volume. 148.C.13.3B 29 Receipts and disbursements register, 1939-1947. 1 volume. Journal, building fund, 1948-1956. 1 volume. Receipts and disbursements register, 1949. 1 volume. Ledger, 1963-1966. 1 volume.

Minnesota Church Center.

Ledger, 1967-1968. 1 volume.

Church Center operating account.

Departmental ledgers, 1965-1968. 2 volumes. 148.C.13.4F 30 Minnesota Sunday School Association check register, 1911-1914. 1 volume. Minnesota Sunday School Association receipt and disbursement register, 1922-1925. 1 packet. Dakota County Sunday School Association record book, 1917-1935. 1 volume.

Includes minutes, officers, and statistical reports.

Assorted ledgers, journals, 1960s. 148.C.13.5B 31 Minnesota Sunday School Association check register, 1908-1911, 1914-1916, 1920-1923. 3 volumes. Minnesota Council of Religious Education check register, 1945-1947. 1 volume. Minnesota Council of Churches check register and record of gifts from churches and Sunday Schools, 1946-1949. 2 volumes. Various journals, ledgers, receipts and disbursements registers, 1960s. 148.C.13.6F 32 Various journals, ledgers, receipts and disbursements registers, 1960s. Minutes and administrative records to be interfiled, 1960s-1970s. Subject Files

Includes committee files interspersed throughout many of the subject files. Committee files are also found under Administrative and Executive Director's Files.

Group 1 146.K.10.2F 2 Articles of incorporation, [1917?]-1962. Audio-visual materials, 1950-1970. Biographical information, 1934-1968. Centennial (1959) materials, 1957-1961. 4 folders. Christian Century, 1951-1952. 146.K.10.3B 3 Christian Rural Overseas Program (CROP) 1947-1961. 2 folders. Church planning and adjustment, 1947-1962. 2 folders. Church planning and adjustment, Silver Bay, 1952-1970. 7 folders. Church planning and adjustment, A-W, 1952-1960. 3 folders. County councils, Dakota Council, 1908-1938. 2 folders. County councils, miscellaneous, 1906-1962. 3 folders. County councils, training materials, 1929-1931. County Youth Conference, 1934-1943, 1957. Scrapbook, 1929-1947. Evaluation Committee, 1946-1956. Faribault, Summer School of Christian Education, 1937-1967. 146.K.10.4F 4 Finance Committee, 1920-1962. 5 folders. Frontenac Adult Conference, 1943-1955. Indian Work Committee, 1955-1963. Inter-denominational Committee, 1943-1952. Kagana Committee, 1935-1936. Legislative matters, 1950, 1958-1965. Lutherans, 1948-1964. Merger Committee, 1943-1946. Migrant Committee, 1939-1962. Minnesota Christian Young People's Conference, 1928, 1931-1968. 6 folders. Northwest Christian Youth Conference, 1935. United Christian Youth Movement, 1957. Regional Youth Conference, 1954-1956. World Conference of Christian Youth, 1947. Young People's Conference worship services, 1929-1955. 2 folders. Youth Work Camp, 1955, 1957. Civil War and Sioux Uprising Centennial Commission, 1959-1961. Minnesota Federation of Churches, 1924-1932. 2 folders. 146.K.10.5B 5 Minnesota Federation of Churches, 1933-1958. 3 folders. Minnesota Protestant Center Committee, 1947-1967. 3 folders. Corinne de L. Ropes Trust Fund agreement, 1948-1955. Minnesota Protestant Center: Convocation, 1947. Fund-raising efforts, 1948-1969. Gifts, 1948-1966. House Council minutes, 1949-1957, 1960-1963. Locations Committee, 1958-1962. Board of Management, 1949-1965. Printed material, 1949-1969. Publicity releases, 1948-1967. Rezoning, 1954, 1957, 1960. Tenants, 1948-1963. Miscellaneous, 1947-1968. Minnesota State Pastors' Conference, 1930-1943. 6 folders. 146.K.10.6F 6 Minnesota State Pastors' Conference, 1944-1949, 1957. 2 folders. Minnesota State Pastors' Conference, programs, 1931, 1935-1949. Planning Commission, 1938-1963. 3 folders. Race Relations Committee, 1952-1963. Railroad passes, 1943-1960. "Streams of Life," undated, 1940. Stright, Hayden L., 1953-1954. 2 folders. University of Minnesota, 1956. Vacation school manuals, undated. 3 folders. Week day religious courses, 1924. White House Conference, 1959-1960. Youngdahl, Governor Luther, 1950. 151.B.14.4F 7 Printed materials.

Includes annual reports of Minnesota Council of Religious Education; programs of annual conventions; and Hayden L. Stright, Together: The Story of Church Cooperation."

146.K.20.9B 9 Annual meetings, 1947-1966. 17 folders. Assembly, 1970. Audio-visual catalog, 1964. Baptists, directory, 1973-1974. Beard, James E., 1973. Brooks, Mrs. Wright W. (Gladys), 1962-1964. Budget and Finance, minutes, 1952-1963. 2 folders. Capital fund office, 1963. Capital fund campaign, 1968-1969. 3 folders. Centennial Convocation, minutes, 1957. 151.B.15.2F 11 Children's Messenger, 1957-1960. Christian Education Department, minutes, 1956-1959, 1966-1968. 2 folders. Christian Rural Overseas Program (CROP), 1960. Christian social relations, 1962-1967, 1970-1972. 2 folders. Church executives retreats, 1957-1966. 2 folders. Church school, 1945-1957. Churches' ministry with children, 1965. 3 folders. Circular material, 1940-1949. 14 folders.

Includes reports, letters, and informational materials.

Civil rights, 1957-1966. Communications and press releases, undated, 1971. 2 folders. Contractors, 1954. Correspondence (denominational), 1948-1958. 7 folders. 151.B.15.3B 12 Correspondence (denominational), 1948-1958. 4 folders. Denominational contributions, 1972-1977. Denominational pledges, 1964. Economic regions, undated. Ecumenical Fund campaign, minutes, 1967. Ecumenical Conference, financial, 1973. Ecumenical Committee, region 6, 1971-1973. Ecumenical Committee, region 7, 1972-1973. Ecumenical workshops, 1962-1964. Ecumenical Youth Encounter, 1970-1974. Electricity charges, 1956. Executives, directories, 1960-1971. 2 folders. Executive Advisory Committee, 1976. Executive Committee, 1964-1969. 4 folders. Field reports, 1930-1966. 6 folders. Foundations, undated, 1950-1975. 12 folders. 151.B.15.4F 13 Foundations, undated, 1950-1975. 39 folders. Fund-raising, 1962-1963. Greater urban parish, 1967-1972. Group Home, 1971. Indian Work Department, 1955-1977. 15 folders. 151.B.15.5B 14 Indian Work Department, 1955-1977. 10 folders. Interracial vacation exchange, 1960-1974. 7 folders. Joint meetings of staff, 1969. Jonathan Development Corporation, 1970-1971. Kilde, Lois, 1974. Kindy, Phillips, 1965. Layman's Ecumenical Encounter, 1965-1968. 4 folders. Lutherans, 1960-1970. Lutheran Church in America, 1975. Mailings, 1963-1965. Membership Committee, 1964-1968. Memorials Committee, 1964-1968. Memorial endowments, 1973. Metro News and Notes, 1976-1977. Migrants, 1943-1973. 2 folders. 151.B.15.6F 15 Migrants, 1943-1973. 14 folders. Minnesota-Canada relationships, 1962-1963. Minnesota Messenger, 1968-1973, 1976-1978. 2 folders. Minnesota Protestant-Catholic Consultation on Faith and Order, 1966. Minnesota Protestant Church Center, 1952-1972. 14 folders. 151.B.15.7B 16 Minnesota Protestant Church Center, 1952-1972. 151.B.15.8F 17 Minnesota State Pastors' Conference, 1936-1974. 19 folders. Minnesota Valley Council, 1941-1966. Miscellaneous, [194-]-1970. 5 folders. Motter, Dr. Alton M., 1973. 123.E.18.5B 49 Mower County Council of Churches, 1947-1956.

Includes minutes, correspondence, and clippings.

[0.9 cubic feet empty, letter size.]

151.B.15.8F 17 Multimedia, 1971. Newspaper clippings, 1964-1971. 2 folders. 151.B.15.9B 18 Nominating Committee, 1961-1962, 1972. 3 folders. Northwest Baptist Home Society, 1976. Northwest National Bank, 1965-1970. Notes, 1965-1970. Pensions, 1966-1968. Personnel Committee, 1964-1969. Planning and Missions Department, undated, 1953-1970. 7 folders. Presbyterian material, 1976. Program Cabinet, 1972-1973. Publicity, undated. Radio and television, 1961-1970. Ramsey County, annual meetings, 1937-1951. Religious Education Department, 1966-1968. Religion and leisure correspondence, 1966-1972. Research and Planning Department, 1972-1973. Resolutions, undated. Rochester Council of Churches, 1964-1971. Rouopp, Mrs. Julia, 1956-1968. St. Paul Council of Churches, 1936-1970. Seminaries in Minnesota, 1966. Service awards, 1963-1968. Silver Bay United Protestant Church, 1951-1973. 4 folders. 151.B.15.10F 19 Silver Bay United Protestant Church, 1951-1973. 4 folders. Staff notes, 1974. Staff Relations Committee, 1971. Tri-Council Committee, 1966-1971. 4 folders. Twin Cities Metro Committee, minutes, 1968-1973. Twin Cities Metro Committee, educational ministries, 1969. Twin Ports ministry to seaman, 1970. United Christian Adult Conference, 1946-1955. United Church of Christ, 1977. United Church Men, 1965. United Church Women, 1953-1976. 2 folders. United Methodist Church, 1970, 1976. Urban Coalition, 1972. Vacation Church School, 1931-1970. 4 folders. 151.B.15.11B 20 Vacation Church School, 1931-1970. 151.B.15.12F 21 Vacation Church School, 1931-1970. 18 folders. Wayman African Methodist Episcopal Church, 1961-1965. Weekday survey, 1955. Weekday religious education, undated. Weekday church school, resource material, 1961. Wills, 1965-1973. World Council of Churches, 1973. World peace, 1958-1963. Youth Council, 1928-1971. 7 folders. Group 2 147.I.8.4F 46 Abortion, 1972-1974. Affordable housing, 1979-1981. Aged and aging, 1973-1976. American Lutheran Church, Southwestern Minnesota, 1973-1974. Battered women. 5 folders. Black ministry, 1980s. 4 folders. Continuing education for clergy, 1975-1978. Food shelf survey information. Hispanic ministry. 4 folders.

Includes photographs.

IMPACT 1980s. 7 folders. 147.I.8.5B 47 Indian ministry, 1980s. 9 folders. Joint Legislative Religious Coalition (JRLC), 1979-1980s. 6 folders. 147.I.8.6F 48 Jonathan Project, 1968-1973. 4 folders. Leisure and recreation. 3 folders. Lesbian/Gay Committee. MANNA ministries, 1983-1984. Migrants, 1950s-1979. 3 folders. 142.C.19.5B 50 Migrant affairs, circa 1950s. 1 oversize folder.

Includes five poster-sized photographs.

147.I.8.6F 48 Minnesota Foodbank Network, 1985. Women in ministry. 5 folders.

Includes Jeannette Pickard addresses.

147.I.7.10F 49 Church and Community Development Resource Unit. Clergy Conference on Community Development. Department of Planning and Mission. 2 folders. Department of Research and Planning. Hunger. Minnesota Church Center: Building Commission. Chapel. News clippings. Nursing home ministry. Pamphlets. Parimutuel betting. Presbytery of Twin Cities Area. Shared facilities. State Fair. 2 folders. Youth Task Force. 147.I.8.2F 44 Battered women. 4 folders. Black ministry. 3 folders. Church and Community Development. Conference on Spirituality and Peacemaking. Hispanic ministry. 5 folders. Hunger Action Coalition. Legislative Advocacy Committee. Metro Foodshare. Minnesota ERRSS Project (Ecumenical Refugee Resettlement and Sponsorship Services), 1985-1989. 3 folders. Minnesota IMPACT. 4 folders. 147.I.8.3B 45 News clippings. Project Amos coordinator, Shannon Bevens correspondence, 1982. 2 folders. Regional life transformation, 1980s-1990. 5 folders. Social Justice Committee. 2 folders. Violence in significant relationships. 3 folders. Youth ministry. "Old" mailing lists. 2 folders.