This was posted in September, but I didn't see any reply to it, so I thought I'd
give it a go!
Alie Jo in IL
My family member Stephen R. CAREY was the Rev. at Western Light
Baptist Church.
I used to work at a Presbyterian Church, and while there are some differences, I imagine a
lot of the records are similar.
Anyone know where to write for information from this church?
Google for the address and phone number of the Western Light Baptist Church. You have the
city and state, and there is likely to be only one such named Church there. :)
You might want to address your query to the Secretary or the Clerk of the Session. That
last is a Presbyterian term, and the Clerk of the Session keeps Minutes of the monthly
meetings of the Elders. I don't know what other Churches may call this person.
Include a phone number and indicate that you would be amenable to calling them, or them
calling you [ask for the number if Google does not produce one], to talk about the kind of
records they have and whether you would want a given record or not. They probably run on
standard business hours 9 to 5 weekdays, or maybe shortened hours, say 9 to 1. Keep that
in mind if you're the one who calls.
Any suggestions on what to ask for?
One thing you might ask, is what kind of archived records do they have? Below, I have
listed a bunch of the different kinds that my Church have, as examples.
Records are kept for a Pastor's installment as leader of a Church, when he leaves or
dies, and the Record of Minutes may mention him in decisions made. At my Church, these
were only saved in collection beginning in 1906, although the Church began in 1856.
Baptists may have something similar. You could ask for photocopies of pages that mention
him. Decide how many you would want, because some Pastors served for 60-70 years, and
that would be a lot!
Oh, and ask if he was a guest Reverend at all before he was installed. The current Pastor
at my Church was a guest speaker at least 4 or 5 times before he became permanent. They
may not know, but if you don't ask, you don't find out...
At the time your Reverend was serving, some were circuit Ministers, and went the rounds of
several Churches, preaching at one the first week, another next week, and so on. If he
was, ask if they know what other Churches he was leading.
At my Church, we were scanning the Minutes into the computer, then burning onto CDs,
because the pages were so brittle. You might ask if it would be easier to send you a disk
with images on it.
You might ask if they have family signatures on anything. They should have his, at
least.
Ask if they have pictures, of the Reverend and/ or his family, of the Church itself back
then or now, see if they have a website. My Church has pictures of the first Church
[which burnt down in 1959 and was rebuilt on the same site], and even some of the early
leaders.
Baptisms/ weddings/ funerals performed by him should not only be in the Church's own
records, but may be in county/ state records. His family's records of bwf would
probably be in his Church records, too.
After funerals there is the possibility that relatives/ friends may have donated to the
Church in his name. Ask if they have records of those who donated in the family names,
and what the donations were used for. Or his family might have donated, for other people.
There may be plaques in the Church with family names on them, so see if you might get
pictures of them.
The Presbyterians have something called a Profession ** of Faith, which shows up in the
Minutes. This is where he * professes his faith before the Session of Elders, in order to
join the Church. Check for his family's professions, or at least for record of
joining the Church as a Member. BTW, a Pastor is not a Member of the Church, he is a
Participating Non-Member. <g>
There are also lists made periodically of all the Members of the Church. More recently,
these are for purposes of assigning Offering envelopes or setting up mailings, and I am
not sure how early they would have been kept.
If anyone left the Church [due to moving out of the area or whatever], he may have a
record of release. His new Church would write to the old Church and ask them to release
him to the new Church's care. Did any of his family move?
Ask if any of his family served in the Church, as Deacons, Elders, Trustees, etc. Records
are sometimes kept of those installations/ activities also.
Ask if there are any annual events or fundraisers that might go back as far as your
Reverend's time. My Church has been doing [and continues to do] an event called
Festival of Trees, at Christmas time.
Ask if the Church does a monthly newsletter, mailed out to Members and interested
non-Members. If you get on their mailing list, it will keep you updated on their
activities, like Church anniversaries. My Church had their 150th last year, with
collectible items like a plate with pic of the first Church on it, a cookbook, and a few
other items offered. I am not sure if a donation is necessary, but would be appreciated.
And one last thing. My Church has been keeping a copy of each weekly Bulletin [program
for the Church service], but I'm not sure how far back it has been done. You might
ask about those.
Any thing I need to know about?
The standard offer of covering postage and copying or disk fees will probably be
appreciated, though they may not take you up on it, if it isn't a lot of material.
Keep in mind that if it is an ongoing Church, that we are heading into busy Church season
with the holidays coming. Suggest that the person might take his time getting the records
to you. And thank him for his help. These last few things are stuff you probably already
know, but as a former Church secretary, it's always nice to see consideration.
Let me know if you have any more questions...
* Anywhere it says "he", that also covers female-types. :)
** I have also seen this called Confession of Faith.