Catalog of Manuscript Collections

Creators: New Haven Church of the Redeemer; John Owen Colton; Joseph P. Thompson; Leverett Griggs; William T. Eustis; John E. Todd; Watson Lyman Phillips Extent: 31,800 items and 154 vols. Description: Founded in 1838 as the Chapel Street Congregational Church, the parish changed its name to Church of the Redeemer in 1871 when it was moved to a new edifice. The collection contains records of the church and its administrative organization, the Chapel Street Ecclesiastical Society, including minutes and membership records, documenting the history of the church; records of church clerk; church histories and historian's materials containing records of anniversary celebrations, history of the Sunday school, addresses, newsletters, and other papers relating to Congregational Christian Historical Society, and other materials. It also includes general financial records (1838-1953) containing papers relating to bequests and insurance documents; church calendars (1893-1953) and orders of music (1891-1904); membership records and church directories; newsletters entitled The Bell and The Carillon; records of church buildings (1850-1974), including papers pertaining to the construction of the new sanctuary (1945-51); papers of church committees including minutes of social action and community action committees; and records of church organizations (1848-1975) containing reports of various committees and correspondence, reports, and other records (1892-1950) of Welcome Hall, a church sponsored mission offering programs for immigrant families. Also contains papers and sermons of pastors and associate pastors (1839-1980) including John Owen Colton, Joseph P. Thompson, Leverett Griggs, William T. Eustis, John E. Todd, and Watson Lyman Phillips; books and photos including Bibles and photos of buildings and church groups; scrapbooks; and miscellaneous papers on related subjects. Research Topics: History of the Church of the Redeemer; religious institutions in New Haven; the role of religious organizations in political movements and social justice