Unitarian Fellowship Records (DeKalb)

Collection

Identifier: RHC-RC-013

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Unitarian Fellowship of DeKalb Collection documents the history of a liberal religious society from 1961-1971. Unfortunately, records providing information on the society’s first months of existence in 1960 are missing from the collection. Nevertheless, a complete set of minutes (1961-1971) comprehensively details the concern of the Unitarians with educating the community about their beliefs and promoting a strong, dedicated membership. Newsletters, correspondence, treasurer’s reports, and religious education reports relate supplementary data about Unitarian programs dealing with social problems and juvenile religious instruction (1961-1971). Informative sets of committee lists and building records document the construction of the new society meeting hall in the 1960’s. Several fellowship papers dealing with contemporary issues such as militarism and racism are included in the collection along with national universalist publications on the aims of liberal religious organizations in North America. The records are of extraordinary quality for research on the beliefs and functions of liberal religious societies.

Dates

created: 1961-1971
Other: Date acquired: 00/00/1960

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights in the collection are held by the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

Jack Peterson, Mason Myers, Jeannette Murray, Gail Anderson, and Galen Meling organized the Unitarian Fellowship of DeKalb in March 1960. Several months later this first board of directors secured a charter. Initially, the fellowship met in Jefferson School on North First Street. After five years of growth, the Unitarian Fellowship constructed its own building at the corner of Hillcrest and Garden Streets and dedicated it in 1966. The Unitarian Fellowship, a liberal religious organization, believes in certain values of freedom of faith and a united world. During Sunday meetings, members evaluate their beliefs based on Biblical evidences of truth. Each meeting has a speaker or program designed to promote the intellectual development of the participants. The major topics discussed at business meetings are the religious education of children and the problems of fair housing and racism. In addition, the Fellowship sponsors social events such as pot-luck dinners, picnics, and parties. Although membership declined after 1971, the Unitarian Fellowship still is active in the DeKalb community today.

Note written by

Extent

0.50 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Source of Acquisition

The Unitarian Fellowship

Method of Acquisition

The Unitarian Fellowship, DeKalb, Illinois, donated its records to the University Archives in the 1960’s. J. Joseph Bauxer, University Archivist, transferred the collection to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center in June 1978.

Related Materials

Researchers should note the related church collections held by the Regional History Center: First Congregational Church of DeKalb (RC 17); DeKalb First United Methodist Church (RC 24); St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of DeKalb (RC 55); First Lutheran Church of Rockford (RC 83); Salem Lutheran Church of Sandwich (RC 84); and Trinity Lutheran Church of Mt. Morris (RC 104).