1620-2013
Guide to the Collection
Restrictions on Access
Series IV (Additions) of the First Parish Church (Plymouth, Mass.) records are stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@masshist.org.
Abstract
This collection consists of records of the First Parish Church in Plymouth, Mass., as well as records of related ministerial associations.
Historical Sketch
The First Parish Church in Plymouth, Mass. (a.k.a. First Church of Christ in Plymouth) was founded by the separatist Pilgrims who arrived at Plymouth Rock in 1620. The congregation originated in the village of Scrooby, England in 1606. The current meetinghouse in Plymouth, its fifth, was built in 1899. Originally Congregationalist, it is now a Unitarian Universalist church.
Sources
First Parish of Plymouth. "Our History." https://firstparishplymouth.org/about/our-history. Accessed 6 Apr. 2020.
Collection Description
The records of the First Parish Church in Plymouth, Mass. (Unitarian Universalist) consist of general records, vital statistics of church members, financial records (including account books), minutes, correspondence, committee records, warrants for town and church meetings, papers of ministers of the church, pew deeds and plans, and records related to the building, remodeling, and repair of the church (including architectural drawings). Also included is a volume listing Plymouth residents classed religiously (1888) and a scrapbook (1896-1900).
The collection also includes records of related ministerial associations: the Pilgrim Association and the Bridgewater Ministerial Association, which merged to form the Plymouth Association and the Pilgrim Ministers Union; the First Universalist Society of Plymouth; the Pilgrim Conference; the Unitarian Laymen's League; the Plymouth Branch of the Women's Alliance of Unitarian and Other Liberal Churches; and the Elizabeth Lombard Club. The first volume of church records, 1620-1731, exists as photostat copies only.
Processing Note
This collection is PARTIALLY processed.
Acquisition Information
Deposited by the First Parish in Plymouth, 1973, with additions in 2002, 2005, and 2022.
Restrictions on Access
Series IV (Additions) of the First Parish Church (Plymouth, Mass.) records are stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@masshist.org.
Detailed Description of the Collection
I. Loose papers, 1784-2001
General records, 1784-1934
General records, 1935-1961
General records, 1962-1992
Warrants, 1829-1975
Vital statistics, 1868-1962
Treasurers' records, 1809-1968
Financial papers (miscellaneous), 1848-1987
Funds (miscellaneous), 1848-1987
Funds: Fuller Ministerial Fund
Parish Committee records, 1846-1953
Parish Committee records, 1954-1965
Parish Committee records, 1966-1984
Parish Committee records, 1980-1993
Formerly in loose-leaf binders.
Parish Committee records, 1994-1999
Formerly in loose-leaf binders.
Other committee records, A-F
Other committee records, H-R
Parish calendars, 1957-1973
Parish calendars, 1974-1982
Parish calendars, 1983-1989
Parish calendars, 1990-1995
Parish calendars, 1996-2001
Orders of worship/service, 1983-1990
Orders of worship/service, 1991-1996
Orders of worship/service, 1996-1999
Orders of worship/service, 1999-2001
Thanksgiving services, 1962-1980
Ministers, A-K
Ministers, L-Z
Clubs: Lombard Club records
Clubs: Miscellaneous club records
Historical & miscellaneous material
Oversize manuscripts, 1744-1956
Plans of pews, loose papers, architectural drawings.
II. Volumes, 1620-2002
Church records, 1620-1731
Photocopies only.Church records, 1712-1733
Copy made after 1885.Church records, 1732-1798
Church records, 1732-1798
Photocopy of Vol. II.Church records, 1799-1858
Church records, 1799-1858
Photocopy of Vol. III.South Precinct Book, 1719-1813
Later the First Precinct Book.
Plymouth First Precinct, 2nd book, 1814-1891
Plymouth First Precinct, 3rd book, 1891-1931
Plymouth First Precinct, 4th book, 1930-1971
Account book, 1797-1853
Precinct committee book of First Parish, 1813-1857
Records of ministers of First Church, Vol. 4, 1859-1907
Ministers, officers, members, baptisms, marriages, deaths, etc.
Parish records, 1953-1984
Includes some earlier copied information and later notes to 2002.
First Parish accounts, 1949-1959
Formerly a loose-leaf binder.
First Parish common funds and general expenses, 1915-1962
Formerly a loose-leaf binder.
Scrapbook, 1892-1900
Parish meetings, 1931-1935
Plymouth residents, classified religiously, 1888
Ministers' Association records, 1829-1924
Ministers' Association records, 1912-1947
Loose papers, 1934-1943
First Universalist Society records, 1826-1895
Plymouth Branch of the Women's Alliance records, 1890-1933
Loose papers, 1903-1962
Plymouth Branch of the Women's Alliance records, 1933-1945
Account book, Fuller Ministerial Fund, 1924-1952
Removed from binder.
Cash book, 1949-1960
Removed from binder.
Cash book, 1961-1969
Removed from binder.
III. Printed matter, 1785-1974
A. First Church publications, 1800-1974
Many of these items are individually cataloged in the MHS catalog ABIGAIL.
Books, 1902-1950
Cuckson, John. A Brief History of the First Church in Plymouth, from 1606 to 1901. Boston: Geo. H. Ellis Co., 1902.
2 copies.Cuckson, John. Services of Christian Worship in the First Church. Plymouth, Mass.: [n.p.], 1943.
Marshall, George N. The Church of the Pilgrim Fathers. Boston: Beacon Press, 1950.
Pamphlets, 1800-1971
Bachelder, Horace Lyman. Another Jesus Book. Plymouth, Mass.: Horace L. Bachelder, [1971].
Cuckson, John. Dives and Lazarus. Boston: Geo. H. Ellis Co., 1906.
Cushman, Robert. The Sin and Danger of Self-Love. Boston: Rebecca Wiswell, 1876.
Flint, James. A Discourse Delivered at Plymouth, December 22, 1815, at the Anniversary Commemoration of the First Landing of Our Ancestors at That Place. Boston: Lincoln and Edmands for Joseph Avery, 1816.
Kendall, James. The Character and Blessedness of the Righteous; Illustrated in a Sermon Delivered at Plymouth, September 21, 1800. Boston: Samuel Hall, 1800.
Krick, Gerald R. The Crowd and the Mountain. (not published)
First Church of Christ (Plymouth, Mass.). The First Church in Plymouth, 1620-1893. Boston: Sparrell Print, [1893].
8 copies.First Church of Christ (Plymouth, Mass.). 300th Anniversary of the First Church in Plymouth. [n.p., 1920].
3 copies.First Church of Christ (Plymouth, Mass.). The First Parish in Plymouth. [n.p., n.d.] (parish directory, 1961-1962)
First Church of Christ (Plymouth, Mass.). The First Parish in Plymouth. [n.p., n.d.] (parish directory, 1963-1964)
First Church of Christ (Plymouth, Mass.). Supplement. Printed for the use of the First Church in Plymouth, Mass. [n.p., n.d.]
First Church of Christ (Plymouth, Mass.) Planning and Review Committee. Report of the Planning and Review Committee Presented to the Parish Meeting April 2, 1964. (not published)
Broadsides, 1831-1891
First Church of Christ (Plymouth, Mass.). Order of Exercises at the Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Ordination of Rev. James Kendall, D.D. ..., January 1, 1850. [n.p., 1850].
First Church of Christ (Plymouth, Mass.). Order of Services at the Ordination of Mr. Henry L. Myrick ..., September 21, 1853. [n.p., 1853].
2 copies.First Church of Christ (Plymouth, Mass.). Order of Services at the Dedication of the New Church in Plymouth, Erected by the First Parish in That Place, December 14, 1831. [n.p., 1831].
2 copies.First Church of Christ (Plymouth, Mass.). Order of Services at the Ordination of Mr. Edward H. Hall, at Plymouth on Wednesday, January 5th, 1859. [n.p., 1859].
First Church of Christ (Plymouth, Mass.). 60th Anniversary, December 14, 1891: Order of Services at the Dedication of the New Church in Plymouth, Erected by the First Parish in That Place, December 14, 1831. [n.p., 1891].
3 copies.Programs, flyers, circular letters and appeals, worship cards, miscellaneous, 1878-1974
B. Other publications, 1838-1974
Some of these items are individually cataloged in the MHS catalog ABIGAIL.
Books, 1848-1970
Bible (Old and New Testaments). London: G. E. Eyre and W. Spottiswoode, 1848.
Cuckson, John. Faith and Fellowship. Cambridge, Mass.: The Riverside Press, 1897.
2 copies.Hall, Edward H. First Lessons on the Bible. 11th edition. Boston: Unitarian Sunday-School Society, 1886.
Hall, Edward H. First Lessons on the Bible. 20th edition. Boston: Unitarian Sunday-School Society, 1893.
Hall, Edward H. First Lessons on the Bible. 27th edition. Boston: Unitarian Sunday-School Society, 1908.
Holden, Albert. Psalms and Responses. New York: William A. Pond and Company, 1884.
Hymn and Tune Book, for the Church and the Home. Boston: American Unitarian Association, 1871.
Marshall, George N. Challenge of a Liberal Faith. Boston: Unitarian Universalist Association, 1970.
Pamphlets, 1857-1970
Anderson, Francis C., Jr. Greatly to Be. Boston: Universalist Publishing House, 1957.
Bachelder, Horace Lyman. The Liberal Church at the End of the Oregon Trail. Portland, Ore.: Watson Printing Company, 1969.
Briggs, Rose T. A Catalogue of the Collections of the Pilgrim Society. Plymouth, Mass.: The Pilgrim Society, 1955.
Briggs, Rose T. Plymouth Rock: Its History and Its Significance. Portland, Me.: The Anthoensen Press, 1953.
Cohen, Oscar. "The Swastika 'Epidemic' and Anti-Semitism in America." Christian Friends Bulletin, vol. 17, no. 2, June 1960.
Cole, Alfred S. Our Common Faith. Boston: Council of Liberal Churches, 1956.
Cope, Robert L., ed. Indictments and Invitations: An Anthology. Boston: Council of Liberal Churches, 1959.
Council of Liberal Churches (Universalist-Unitarian). Easter. Boston: Council of Liberal Churches, 1956.
Cousins, Norman. The Immortality of Man. Lancaster, Pa.: [n.p.], 1953.
Crooker, Joseph Henry. The Unitarian Church: A Statement. Boston: American Unitarian Association, [1901].
Eliot, Charles W. Twentieth Century Christianity. Boston: American Unitarian Association, [1914].
Everett, William. Discourse Delivered in the First Church of Plymouth, Mass., 19 December, 1886, in Commemoration of the Pilgrim Fathers. Boston: Press of Geo. H. Ellis, 1887.
Fahs, Sophia Lyon. It Matters What We Believe. Boston: American Unitarian Association, [1952?].
Fisher, William Arms. Ye Olde New-England Psalm-Tunes, 1620-1820. Boston: Oliver Ditson Company, 1930.
Hopkins, Raymond C. Imprints of the Divine. Boston: Council of Liberal Churches, 1960.
Houghton, Edward L. Year Book and Register of the First Universalist Church (1931). Plymouth, Mass.: [n.p.], 1931.
Howe, Henry F. Early Explorers of Plymouth Harbor, 1525-1619. Plymouth, Mass.: Plimoth Plantation and the Pilgrim Society, 1953.
Hussey, Alfred Rodman. The Divine Companion. [Boston]: Evening Alliance, 1914.
Hussey, Alfred Rodman. In All Things Honesty. Boston: American Unitarian Association, n.d.
Hussey, Alfred R. Plymouth Branch of the Alliance of Unitarian and Other Liberal Christian Women. [n.p., 1938].
Hussey, Alfred Rodman. Six Reasons for Believing in Immortality. Plymouth, Mass.: The Plymouth Branch Alliance, 1931.
Hussey, Alfred Rodman. The True Basis of Church Unity. [n.p., 1918].
Johnson, Raymond B. Spiritual Resources for the Development of Healthy Personalities in Our Children. Boston: American Unitarian Association, 1951.
Kielty, John. British Unitarianism Past, Present, and Future. Boston: The Minns Lectureship Committee, 1959.
Kielty, John, ed. The Unitarian and Free Christian Churches: Year Book of the General Assembly for 1952. London: C. Tinling and Company, Ltd., [1952].
Park, Charles E. The Stature of Christ. Boston: The Unitarian Christian Fellowship, n.d.
Patch, James A. Unitarian Christians. Boston: Unitarian Christian Fellowship, n.d.
Peck, Jim. Cracking the Color Line. New York: Core, n.d.
Perkins, Palfrey. My Ample Creed. Boston: The Beacon Press, 1953.
Pilgrim Tercentenary: Being Excerpts from William Bradford's History of the Plimoth Plantation, 1620-1920. Boston: American Unitarian Association, [1920].
Pilgrim Tercentenary Meeting of the International Congress of Free Christians and Other Religious Liberals. Boston: American Unitarian Association, [1920].
Pilgrim Tercentenary of the International Congress: Hymns and Tunes. Boston: American Unitarian Association, [1920].
The Plan to Consolidate the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America. Boston: American Unitarian Association, [1959].
Plimoth Plantation. Educational Topics Related to the Study of the Pilgrim Story (A List). [n.p., n.d.]
Plymouth Lyceum (Plymouth, Mass.). Constitution and By-Laws of the Lyceum of the Town of Plymouth. Plymouth, Mass.: Chas. A. S. Perkins, 1857.
Pratt, Waldo Selden. The Music of the Pilgrims: A Description of the Psalm-Book Brought to Plymouth in 1620. Boston: Oliver Ditson Company, 1921.
Proposed Plan to Consolidate the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America. [n.p., n.d.]
Protection of Library Collections 1970. Boston: National Fire Protection Association, 1970.
Protection of Museum Collections 1969. Boston: National Fire Protection Association, 1969.
Protection of Records 1970. Boston: National Fire Protection Association, 1970.
Quest: A Journal of Progressive Religious Thought. Melbourne: Unitarian Fellowship of Australia, 1961.
Questions on Disarmament and Your Job. [Washington, D.C.: Friends Committee on National Legislation], n.d.
First Congregational Church (Rockland, Mass.). Manual of the First Congregational Church of Rockland, Mass. Rockland: Rockland Standard Press, 1894.
Scholefield, Harry B. The Task Is Peace. Boston: The Beacon Press, 1955.
Sira, J. H. A Walk Through the "Pieterskerk." [n.p., n.d.]
Speak Truth to Power: A Quaker Search for an Alternative to Violence. Philadelphia, Pa.: American Friends Service Committee, 1959.
Stokes, Harry M. A Unitarian Universalist Understanding of Jesus Christ. Boston: Unitarian Christian Fellowship, n.d.
2 copies.Unitarian Universalist Association. And This Will Be the Greatest Experience... Boston: Unitarian Universalist Association, 1962.
2 copies.Unitarian Universalist Association Department of the Ministry. Procedures for Ministers Seeking New Settlement. Boston: Unitarian Universalist Association, 1962.
The United States and the Soviet Union: Some Quaker Proposals for Peace. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1949.
Williams, Harrison A. The Citizen's Role in the Migrant Worker Issue. Washington, D.C.: Unitarian Fellowship for Social Justice, 1961.
Other printed material, 1838-1974
Serials, including newsletters and clippings, 1888-1971
Church programs and other programs, 1838-1974
Special orders of worship cards, 1920-1973
Miscellaneous printed material, 1920-1966
C. Miscellaneous printed matter, 1785-1960
Material in Box 46 was added to the collection in June 2005.
Adams, John Quincy. An Oration, Delivered at Plymouth, December 22, 1802... Plymouth: Joseph Avery, 1820.
Briggs, George W. An Address Delivered at the Funeral of Deacon William P. Ripley... Plymouth: James Thurber, 1842.
French, Jonathan. A Sermon, Preached at the Ordination of the Reverend James Kendall... Boston: Samuel Hall, 1800.
Kendall, James. A Discourse Delivered January 1, 1850, upon the Fiftieth Anniversary of His Ordination... Plymouth: James Thurber, 1850.
Shaw, William. The Resurrection of Good Men to a Blessed Immortality, a Ground of Consolation to Surviving Mourners, Illustrated in a Discourse, Delivered at Plymouth, July 14, 1799... Boston: Samuel Hall, 1799.
West, Stephen. The Scripture Doctrine of Atonement, Proposed to Careful Examination. New-Haven: Meigs, Bowen and Dana, 1785.
"Order of Exercises at the Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Ordination of Rev. James Kendall, D.D.," 1 Jan. 1850
Broadside.Christmas Carols. Boston: John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, 1960.
2 copies.Miscellaneous printed items
1 envelope.Oversize printed matter, newspaper clippings
IV. Additions, 1966-2013
Index to annual/special meetings and Parish Committee minutes (compiled by Ann Hieser), 2000-2003
Annual meeting, 1966-2012
There are no files from the 1967 annual meeting.
Bound volume: annual meetings, 1972-1985
Annual meeting—loose materials from bound volume, 1985
Annual/special meetings—votes summary, 1985-2001, 2004-2011
Alliance booklets, 1970-2004
Alliance, 1999-2008
Building and Grounds Committee, 1991-1994
Finance Committee [folder: Canvass], 2011-2012
Membership Committee, 1993-1996
Music Committee, 1987-2002
Parish Committee, 1980-1981
Parish Committee, 1999-2001
Parish Committee, 2002
Restricted until January 2052. Removed from box.
Parish Committee, 2003-2012
Some restricted items were removed and are noted in folders. These items are restricted until January 2052.
Religious Education Committee, 1990-1998
Religious Education Church School prospectus and calendar, 1985-2010
Sabbatical/Pastoral Care Committee, 1999-2000
Worship Committee, 1996-1999
Sermons, 2010-2011
Guest minister—Sarah Person, 2012
Order of services—installation of Rev. Gerald E. "Jay" Libby, 2011
Includes two DVDs of photographs. See Digital Preservation Archivist for more information.
Order of services, 1994-1996, 2000, 2004, 2007-2012
Summer services, 2000-2002, 2007
Memorandum, 1970
Calendars, 1974-1976
Newsletter, 1980, 2001-2012
Preferred Citation
First Parish Church (Plymouth, Mass.) records, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.
Organizations:
Subjects:
Materials Removed from the Collection
Photographs and other graphics from this collection have been removed to the First Parish Church (Plymouth, Mass.) visual materials collection (Photo. Coll. 215).
Two DVDs of photographs have been removed to digital preservation storage. See Digital Preservation Archivist for more information.