MS 9 - Trinity United Church of Christ (Elliston, Ohio)
MLA Citation
Tags
| Title | MS 9 - Trinity United Church of Christ (Elliston, Ohio) |
|---|---|
| Subject | Church |
| Introduction | The records of the Trinity United Church of Christ date from 1867 to 1974 with an emphasis on the 1930s. The collection consists of two linear feet of documents and one roll of microfilm. Included in the collection are minutes, membership records, annual reports, financial records, and printed material. Willis H. Milbrodt, acting on behalf of the church, donated the collection to the Center for Archival Collections on October 15, 1974. Milbrodt dedicated the literary and property rights to the public and agreed to allow the documents to be duplicated for the purpose of research and preservation. The register was prepared by Mark I. West in March 1982. |
| Agency History | The Trinity United Church of Christ traces its origins to the 1860s. During this decade a number of German immigrants purchased land in what is now Benton Township, Ottawa County, Ohio. Most of these immigrants were members of Lutheran and Evangelical churches in Germany, and they felt a need to establish a place of worship in their new home. In 1862 they began holding religious services in a local schoolhouse. Six years later they erected their first church building on land donated by Lorenzo Ellis, and in February 1870 the congregation accepted a constitution. The first resident pastor of the Trinity Church, as it was then known, was Reverend Franz Wolff. He assumed this position on May 28, 1870, and served the church until his death in April 1874. During his pastorate, a parsonage was built across the street from the church. From 1874 to 1877 Reverend Gottlieb Kuenzler served as the church's minister. His ministry was marked by a large increase in church membership due to an influx of new settlers. Shortly after the arrival of Reverend Christian Fetzer in 1877, it was decided that an addition was needed in order to accommodate the larger congregation. In 1880 the addition was completed, and a few years later a pipe organ was installed. In 1885 Reverend August Stange became minister, serving in that capacity for twenty-three years. During his ministry the Parochial School he established grew, but the overall membership of the church declined. This was due, in part, to the formation of other churches in the community. Reverend Stange's successor, Reverend Albert Dietze, served from 1909 to 1914. Reverend Dietze began phasing out the use of the German language, and Reverend Carl Bizer, who served from 1915 to 1918, continued this trend. By 1918 English was used in all of the church services and meetings. From 1918 to 1933 Adolph Abele, Herman Schoettle, and Hilbert Peters served as ministers. During this period the Trinity Church affiliated with the Evangelical Synod of North America. In 1922 a new parsonage was built at a cost of $7,833 and in 1930 the church was extensively remodeled. The expenses involved with renovating the church totaled $31,913. Since 1933 Herbert Schowe, Leonard Weigel, Walter Vonderohe, and William Homeister have held the position of minister. In 1957 Reverend Homeister attended the convention at which the Evangelical and Reformed Church merged with the Congregational Christian Churches. After the merger, the Trinity Church was renamed the Trinity United Church of Christ. |
| Scope and Content | The records of the Trinity United Church of Christ date from 1867 to 1974 and consist of two linear feet of documents and one roll of microfilm. The collection includes minute books, membership lists, correspondence, annual reports, and printed material. Almost all of the correspondence and annual reports, however, are limited to the 1930s. Also, the records that date before 1915 are usually in German. Nearly all of the records had suffered water damage before they were donated, andthis has caused some of the documents to be difficult to read. The collection is of particular value to historians interested in religious and regional history. The Congregational Record, the Council Minutes, and the financial records provide extensive information on the history of the church and its surrounding area. The collection also includes a wealth of information on several of the church's auxiliary organizations, such as the Churchmen's Brotherhood and the Youth Fellowship. Researchers interested in immigrant history could use the collection to study the experiences of German immigrants in northern Ohio. For those engaged in genealogical research, the Record Books would be of particular interest. They span from 1867 to 1974 and provide data on baptisms, marriages, funerals, and confirmations. The Record Books are on microfilm. Genealogists should also consult the Cradle Enrollment and Family Records. |
| Series Description | PROCEEDINGS BY-LAWS OF THE EVANGELICAL TRINITY CHURCH CHURCH CONSTITUTION CHURCHMEN'S BROTHERHOOD MINUTES CONGREGATIONAL RECORD COUNCIL MINUTES CRADLE ENROLLMENT FAMILY RECORDS RECORD BOOKS SIXTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE--NORTHWEST OHIO REGION--MINUTES SUNSHINE CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP LIST YOUTH FELLOWSHIP MINUTES CORRESPONDENCE INCOMING CORRESPONDENCE REPORTS ANNUAL SYNODICAL REPORT BROTHERHOOD ANNUAL REPORT EVANGELICAL AND REFORMED CHURCH EVANGELICAL SYNOD OF NORTH AMERICA PASTOR'S ANNUAL REPORT SENIOR YOUNG PEOPLE'S LEAGUE LEGAL DOCUMENTS INSURANCE POLICY TITLE ABSTRACT WARRANTY DEEDS FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS BENEVOLENCE REPORT CASH BOOK CONTENGENT, ORGAN, AND REDECORATING FUNDS FINANCIAL REPORTS FINANCIAL SECRETARY'S REPORT PREACHER'S ACCOUNT BOOKS RECORD OF FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS AND COUPONS INCOME AND EXPENSE LEDGER WOMEN'S UNION REPORT PRINTED MATERIAL ANNIVERSARY PROGRAMS CENTENNIAL BOOK HYMNS TRINITY TIDINGS |
| Inventory | Box 1 Folder
Box 2 Folder
Box 3 Folder
Box 4 Folder
Microfilm - One Roll
|