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Guide to the First Baptist Church Records, 1861-2018

Last updated

Overview of the Collection

Repository:
Special Collections & Archives
McIntyre Library
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
P.O. Box 4004
105 Garfield Ave.
Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004
(715)-836-2739
https://library.uwec.edu/archives/

Reference Code: USGZE UHC369

Accession Number: 19-018

Collection Number: University Historical Collection 369

Creator: First Baptist Church

Title: First Baptist Church Records

Dates: 1861-2018

Quantity: 1 linear foot (1 record carton)

Location of Collection: A9/2h

Languages: English

Summary: Membership logs, meeting records, financial data, church constitutions and miscellaneous programs from the First Baptist Church of Eau Claire, Wisconsin from 1861-2018

Biographical/Historical Note

The First Baptist Church was founded on what is now the corner of Fourth Avenue and Niagara Street in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, in 1861. Starting in the 1960’s, attendance numbers began to slowly dwindle until 2000, when debate over whether or not to allow gay members to participate in worship caused half of its 130 regular attendants to leave. Many remaining members were aged, with no new members joining to replace those who died. By 2017, only a few dozen members attended every Sunday on the regular. Building maintenance costs and a lack of donations forced the church to close and sell the building to Renew Church in 2017. The final worship was held March 11, 2018, the Church’s 157th anniversary. As of March 2019, the building has been used by Renew Church.

Content Description

Church meeting minutes from 2005-2018, a folder of miscellaneous church programs, art, and other mementos, hand written books describing church meetings dating back from 1861 up to 2004, minor financial notes, and attendance records from 1901-1933.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: Transferred to the University Archives by Susan Glenz (FBC Clerk) in May 2018

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public

Use Restrictions: Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright owned by the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire.

Preferred Citation: First Baptist Church Records, 1861-2018. UHC369 Special Collections & Archives. McIntyre Library. University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. Eau Claire, WI.

Processing Note: Processed by Brice Vircks in March 2019

Arrangement: Flat.

OCLC #: 1128823679

Subjects

Corporate Names: First Baptist Church, Renew Church

Subject Terms: Churches- Wisconsin- Eau Claire, Churches- Chippewa Valley (Wis.)- History

Detailed List of Contents

First Baptist Church Records

1861-2018

1 linear foot (1 record carton)

Container

Contents

Dates

Box/Folder

1/1

Miscellaneous programs and mementos

1938-2018

Box/Folder

1/2

Meeting minutes

2005-2013

Box/Folder

1/3

Meeting notes

2017-2018

Box/Folder

1/4

Meeting minutes

2014-2016

Box 1

Meeting notes, membership records, and worship notes (Vol 1)

1861-1875

Box 1

Meeting notes, membership records, and worship notes (Vol 2)

1876-1894

Box 1

Membership book

1901-1933

Box 1

Meeting notes, membership records, financial records, and worship notes (Vol 4)

1904-1914

Box 1

Meeting notes, membership records, financial records, and worship notes (Vol 5)

1914-1929

Box 1

Meeting notes, membership records, financial records, and worship notes (Vol 6)

1930-1941

Box 1

Meeting notes, membership records, financial records, and worship notes (Vol 7)

1941-1962

Box 1

Meeting notes, membership records, financial records, and worship notes (Vol 8)

1962-2004