What the Society Does...

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(1) Solicits and maintains a local church file on thousands of Congregational [and] Christian and United Church of Christ congregations whose publications have been sent to the Boston office over the years.

(2) Researches and responds to questions on the history of Congregationalism and the Christian denomination, employing the manuscript and published materials assembled at the Congregational Library.

(3) With the help of the Library, maintains updated necrological files on Congregational/ Christian/United Church of Christ clergy (1600-present).

(4) Researches and responds to more general questions on American and world-wide religious history, transmitting information to inquirers at home and abroad.

(5) Advises local church officers/committees on the ways to preserve valuable records old and new, including assistance in developing a collecting and accessions policy.

(6) Gives congregations of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference, the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, and the United Church of Christ advance notice of upcoming 25th-year anniversaries, offering CCHS’s help in planning significant publications and celebrations.

(7) Maintains a circulating library of published local church histories from which selections are packaged and loaned to local churches as their leadership seeks fresh approaches and formats.

(8) Annually reviews all local church histories forwarded to CCHS, awarding the Fagley, Guptill, and President’s Awards in recognition of especially imaginative and responsible publications in this genre.

(9) Issues the Society’s Newsletter (current circulation: 850), spreading the word about Society’s past and upcoming activities.

(10) Plans and implements two public meetings a year in response to invitations from anniversary churches to meet at their location, as well as to give public voice to issues in our history which call for recollection and better understanding.

(11) Represents the local churches’ concerns in matters archival and historical at meetings of the United Church of Christ Historical Council.

And more, on an annual budget of only $20,000. Will you not join hands with those who are already members of our support system, so that we may continue to keep the story of the Congregational/Christian churches fresh and accessible to all comers? Thank you for caring.