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First Baptist Church Records, 1861-2018

 Collection
Identifier: University Historical Collection 369

Content Description

Church meeting minutes from 2005-2018, a folder of miscellaneous church programs, art, photographs, church directories, and other mementos, hand written books describing church meetings dating back from 1861 up to 2004, minor financial notes, and attendance records from 1901-1933.

Dates

  • Creation: 1861-2018

Creator

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to the public.

Use Restrictions

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright owned by the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire.

Biographical/Historical Note

The First Baptist Church was founded on what is now the corner of Fourth Avenue and Niagara Street in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, in 1861. Starting in the 1960s, attendance numbers began to slowly dwindle until 2000, when debate over whether or not to allow gay members to participate in worship caused half of its 130 regular attendants to leave. Many remaining members were aged, with no new members joining to replace those who died. By 2017, only a few dozen members attended every Sunday on the regular. Building maintenance costs and a lack of donations forced the church to close and sell the building to Renew Church in 2017. The final worship was held March 11, 2018, the Church’s 157th anniversary. As of March 2019, the building has been used by Renew Church.

Extent

1 Linear Feet (1 record carton)

Language of Materials

English

Summary

Membership records, meeting minutes, financial data, church constitutions and miscellaneous programs, church directories, and photographs from the First Baptist Church of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, from 1861-2018.

Acquisition Information

Transferred to the University Archives by Susan Glenz (FBC Clerk) in May 2018.

Accession Number

19-018

Related Materials

UHC 247: Chippewa Valley Church History Collection, 1857-2007

Reference Code

UHC369

Processing Note

Processed by Brice Vircks in March 2019.

Subject

Status
Published
Author
Guinevere Fischer
Date
December 1, 2023
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and Archives, McIntyre Library, UW-Eau Claire Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and Archives, McIntyre Library
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
103 Garfield Avenue
Eau Claire WI 54701 United States
715-836-2739