St. Paul's Episcopal Church Records (DeKalb)

Collection

Identifier: RHC-RC-055

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection contains baptismal, communicant, burial, marriage, and family listings (1911-1948); records helpful for local and genealogical research. A register of church services (1915-1973) and programs (1917-1975) complete the collection. Many of the records needed to document the early history of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church remain with the congregation. The addendum consists of seven series: Church Records, Episcopal Church Women, Newspaper Clippings, Photographs, The Mars Hill Proclaimer, Service Bulletins, and Scrapbooks. Included in Series I is financial records, baptism, confirmation, marriage and burial information of church members, membership directories, and organizational documents. Series II contains meeting minutes, financial records, and correspondence for the Episcopal Church Women. Contained in Series III are newspaper clippings on activities and members. Series IV includes photographs of individuals and the church building. A newsletter, the Mars Hill Proclaimer, service bulletins, and scrapbooks make up the final three series. The second and third addendums consist of five pre-established series: (I) Church Records; (III) Newspaper Clippings; (IV) Photographs; (V) The Mars Hill Proclaimer; and (VI) Service Bulletins. Most of the added material falls between the dates of 2010 and 2016, with a couple of records dating back to 1943. The annual parish meeting minutes from 1963-1988 were part of the later donations and can be found under addendum three.

Dates

created: 1911+
Other: Date acquired: 00/00/1978

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights to the records remain with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, DeKalb, Illinois; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

Founded in 1876 under the leadership Rev. William E. Tall, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church constructed its first church building on South Second Street in 1878. The congregation dedicated the building in 1881. The church moved into a new brick building constructed on the same site in 1917. In 1966, St. Paul’s moved to a location on Annie Glidden Road to be closer to the students of Northern Illinois University. Their most recent move, in 1977, remains the present facility at 900 Normal Road. With the arrival of the Normal School in DeKalb, St. Paul’s began an effort to include the students in its church. The congregation inaugurated the First Canterbury program for college students in 1951 and established a student center at 328 Augusta in 1953. St. Paul’s greatest attribute has always been its congregation with Episcopal Church Women remaining at the forefront of fund-raising and community activities. The group has organized and run numerous events, the most important being the Annual Lobster Boil. Started in 1976 by the ECW, the Lobster Boil has, year after year, proven to be the most lucrative event put on by St. Paul’s, bringing in thousands of dollars for church renovations and charitable donations.

Note written by

Extent

5.00 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Method of Acquisition

The St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Records were deposited in the Northern Illinois University Archives. In 1978, University Archivist J. Joseph Bauxar transferred the material to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center.