Reeks

Series II: St. Paul's Episcopal Church

• 1839 - 1935 (Vervaardig)

Series II represents records from St. Paul’s Episcopalian Church from its inception in 1839 to the early 1950s. Records include two-minute books that track meetings of the church’s vestry from 1839 to 1880. They are strictly limited to church business. All entries are handwritten in cursive and black ink. Other information includes the names of vestry members and other church members. The minute-books reveal few details as to how rectors and vestry members made decisions, but a handwritten history that halts in 1890 offers some details, such a year-long dispute between a rector and the vestry over whether the rector could energetically maintain the parish in its then-current size.

Other records offer more details of St. Paul’s history. Pamphlets, newsletters, and orders of service show what activities were held by St. Paul’s over several decades. By the late 19th century several committees and organizations had formed under the church’s umbrella. These included the Page Club, the Tri-C’s, Junior Vestry, the Woman’s Auxiliary, and the Choir Mothers’ Guild. Sunday schooling outside of summer was another major activity.

Paper composes nearly the entirety of the series. Most of it is loose-leaf sheets of paper. Of that some is clay-coated. Four volumes, including the two minute-books, compose the remainder of the series. Materials were transferred to new acid-free folders.

The condition of the contents is generally good. Yellowing is absent from records dating to the early 20th century. The oldest records, the minute-books, remain is fair condition. Their spines should be handled with care. Some flaking of their leather covers is occurring. But the pages remain flexible and the ink on them is easily visible.