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 |