Records of the Central Congregational Society and Church
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Abstract
This collection documents the activities of the church from its creation in 1854 to its consolidation with the Clinton Avenue Congregational Church in 1942. The collection is largely composed of ledgers with financial and membership information.
Historical note
The Central Congregational Society and Church was founded in 1854 and originally located at the corner of Fulton Street and Classon Avenue in Brooklyn, N.Y. Throughout the late 19th century, the church remained in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, and was led by the Rev. J. Clement French, the Rev. Dr. H. M. Scudder, and the Rev. Dr. A. J. F. Behrends, respectively. In 1900, upon the death of Dr. Behrends, the church selected the Rev. Dr. Samuel Parkes Cadman (1864-1939) as pastor. Dr. Cadman became the leading Congregational clergyman in the United States, as well as the first U.S. radio preacher.
In 1939, the Central Congregational Church was renamed in memory of Dr. Cadman. The church merged with the Clinton Avenue Congregational Church in 1942 at the latter's location, and afterward came to be known as the Cadman Memorial Congregational Church, presently located on Clinton Avenue at Lafayette Avenue in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Sources:
- "Central Congregational Church." Brooklyn Eagle, April 24, 1854, 2.
- "Dr. Cadman may succeed Dr. Behrends." New York Times, December 18, 1900, 2.
Scope and Contents
This collection, covering 1854 to 1945, contains correspondence, ledgers, minutes, deeds, bills, sermons, publications, one photograph, and one composition book of the Central Congregational Church and its affiliates. These records provide a window into the church activities and membership during the late 19th and early 20th century. Ledgers and minutes created throughout regular activities of the church document members with addresses and years of membership, baptisms, and church accounts, and may be of use to genealogists. One sepia-toned photograph shows the interior of the Central Congregational Church at 64 Jefferson Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y.
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Conditions Governing Access
Open to researchers without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
While many items at the Center for Brooklyn History are unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Be aware of the several kinds of rights that might apply: copyright, licensing and trademarks. The researcher assumes all responsibility for copyright questions.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); Records of the Central Congregational Society and Church, ARC.086, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Public Library, Center for Brooklyn History.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of the Cadman Memorial Congregational Church, 1989.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
The collection's digital surrogates should be used in place of the originals whenever possible.
Existence and Location of Copies
Item-level description and a digital version of the photograph from this collection is available for searching via the image database in the library under the object ID prefix V1990.57.
About this Guide
Processing Information
This collection combines two accessions: 1989.003 and V1990.057.
This collection was donated by William (Bill) Sikes, a Trustee of the Cadman Congregational Church, in 1989 and accessioned as 1989.003. The collection was foldered and cursorily described in a paper finding aid at some point afterward, following which it was OCR'ed by Pratt GATEWAI intern Quinn Lai in September, 2006 and edited by Dr. Marilyn Pettit in January, 2007.
This collection was rehoused and the finding aid revised by Dee Bowers in 2024.
Sponsor Note
Repository
Series 1: Administrative and general materials
Papers relating to church properties, 1844-1919, inclusive
Photograph of church interior, circa 19th century
Sermons of Dr. J. F. Behrends, 1888-1900, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Three copy books.
Sub-series 1.1: Correspondence
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, 1918-1931, inclusive
American Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief, 1918
American Missionary Association, 1919-1937, inclusive
Auld, William Muir, Rev., 1912
Humstone, W.C., 1919-1921, inclusive
Pierce, George I. and other treasurers, 1918-1942, inclusive
General, 1918-1937, inclusive
Sub-series 1.2: Minutes
Trustee minutes, 1856-1873, inclusive
Board minutes ledger, 1871-1909, inclusive
Scope and Contents
On page 129, there is a transcription of Dr. H.M. Scudder's resignation letter, dated October 23, 1882.
Loose materials from board minutes ledger, 1871-1905, inclusive
Minutes: Deacon's meeting, 1928-1930, inclusive
Sub-series 1.3: Member lists and pew rentals
Member Lists (with addresses) and baptisms, 1882-1895, inclusive
Member Lists (with addresses) and baptisms, 1891-1906, inclusive
Pew rental records, 1896-1908, inclusive
Pew rentals, 1906-1912, inclusive
Pew rental records, circa 1916-1919, inclusive
Pew rental records, undated
Series 2: Financial records
Cash book, 1902-1904, inclusive
Passbooks, 1903-1912, inclusive
Cash book, 1904-1909, inclusive
Ledger, 1905-1907, inclusive
Parish House improvement bills, 1908-1910, inclusive
Ledger, 1911-1913, inclusive
Ledger, 1914-1915, inclusive
Income and expenses, 1919-1932, inclusive
Scope and Contents
There are loose receipts tucked into a pocket inside the front cover.
Cash book, 1920-1925, inclusive
Cash book, 1925-1927, inclusive
Income and expenses, 1927-1930, inclusive
Series 3: Publications
Annual reports, 1894-1940, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Missing 1895-1898, 1911-1917, 1922, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1938.
Programs for special services, 1921-1940, inclusive
Church calendars, 1921-1940, inclusive
Central Congregationalist, 1927
Central Messenger, 1927-1940, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Missing all of 1928 and 1930 and also scattered issues elsewhere.
