Center for Archival Collections

Introduction | Agency History | Scope and Content | Series Description | Order of Microfilming

 Introduction

The First United Presbyterian Church collection (1861-1978) contains minutes, membership roll books, treasurer's records, annual reports, and United Presbyterian Women's record books. The collection was loaned to the Center for Archival Collections, Bowling Green State University for microfilming in March 1978 as a result of the Wood County Historical Church Records Survey.

The collection is contained on two rolls of microfilm. The manuscript register was compiled by Mark Barnes in March 1980.

 Agency History

On July 19, 1861, seventeen members of Plain Congregational Church were dismissed to organize a Presbyterian Church in Tontogany, with the Rev. Perry C. Baldwin serving as first minister. The church was governed until 1959 by two boards: the session, comprised of elders having charge of the spiritual life of the church, and the trustees, having charge of the church property. In 1959, a unicameral system was adopted, consisting of one board of twelve elders, with committees being appointed to implement policies.

The original church building, erected in 1861, as been remodeled many times over the years. The latest addition, an education unit, was built in 1961.

 Scope and Content

The records of the First United Presbyterian Church, Tontogany, Ohio, document the weekly, monthly, and annual activities of the church. The records extend from 1861 to 1978; however, the majority of the material covers the period from 1950 to 1978.

The minutes of the congregational and committee meetings (1950-1978) contain committee, pastor, financial, and membership reports and offer much information on church functions and membership attitudes and beliefs. The data in the Membership Record Book is chronologically the most extensive of the collection (1861-1978), providing rolls of members, pastors, elders, trustees, baptisms, marriages, and deaths. The Church Roll Book (1901-1957) is disorganized in arrangement and offers little information already not included in the Membership Record Book.

Financial information is available in the minutes and also, in a more systematic format, the Treasurer's Book (1967-1978). The activities of women in the church are documented in the minutes of the United Presbyterian Women (1958-1964), 1974-1978) and the Social Circle (Ladies Aid) (1934-1942, 1952-1968). Annual reports (1961, 1970, 1975-1977) and blueprints of additions to the church (1959-1961) complete the collection.

The major value of this collection rest in historical or sociological studies concerned with local post-World War II events. Genealogical researchers may find more value in the earlier records of the collection.

 Series Description

PROCEEDINGS

MINUTES
1950-1978
Arranged chronologically
Includes financial, pastors, committee reports as well as information on baptisms, births, deaths, weddings, and other membership activities.

MEMBERSHIP RECORD BOOK
1861-1978
Arranged chronologically
Includes listings of pastors, elders, trustees, members, communicants, baptisms, marriages, and deaths, providing names, and where appropriate, locations, and reasons.

CHURCH ROLL BOOK
1901-1957
No discernable arrangement.
Contains listing of members, dates joined and how, family members and residences.

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN'S RECORD BOOK
1958-1964, 1974-1978
Arranged chronologically
Includes minutes of monthly and annual meetings providing place of meeting, activities, financial reports, names of officers, records of local members involved in state or national organizations, and lists of suggested reading material.

SOCIAL CIRCLE RECORD BOOK (LADIES AID)
1934-1942, 1952-1968
Arranged chronologically
Contains minutes of monthly and annual meetings, providing members' names, dates and locations of meetings, contributions to circle funds, dues, projects, and attendance statistics.

REPORTS

ANNUAL REPORTS
1961, 1970, 1975-1977
Arranged chronologically
Contains membership statistics, financial, building fund, Bible School, women's groups, Sunday School, and pastor's reports.

FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS

TREASURER'S BOOK
1967-1978
Arranged chronologically
Contains lists of disbursements of church funds, to whom paid, amount, and purpose.

MAPS, CHARTS, DIAGRAMS, GRAPHS, ETC.

BLUEPRINTS--ADDITIONS TO CHURCH
1959-1961
Arranged chronologically
Contains floor plans, foundation plans, heating and electrical diagrams.

 Order of Microfilming

Roll 1

1. Minutes, 1950-1978
2. Membership record book, 1861-1978
3. Church roll book, 1901-1957
4. Treasurer's book, 1967-1978
5. Blueprints--church additions, 1959-1961
6. United Presbyterian women's record, 1958-1964, 1974-1978

Roll 2

1. Annual Reports, 1961, 1970, 1975-1977
2. Social Circle record book, 1934-1942, 1952-1968

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