Records, 1701-1981

The material in this collection reveals much about Second Church's role in the history of Newton. Family relationships noted in memorials, social events files, nursery school records, newsletters and other sources make it a valuable resource to genealogists as well.

The collection includes West Precinct records from (1701-1830), when tax revenues supported the church, legal documents, committee reports, financial records, membership lists, baptisms, and deaths, correspondence, photographs, ledgers, audio and visual recordings, news clippings, church and related publications, a diary, and several scrapbooks.

The collection is very strong in its documentation of the architectural history of the church in the Twentieth Century and includes blueprints for the 1916 construction of the Second Church by the noted architectural firm, Allen and Collens. There is also a 1964 parking plan by the Landscape architecture firm Shurcliff and Merrill.

There is some material from the First Church in Newton which perhaps came into the provenance of the Second Church when First Church attempted to form a United Parish with two of its daughter churches, Second Church and Eliot Church, before its eventual dissolution in 1973.

Material in this portion of the collection is concentrated in the Twentieth Century, dating from about 1930-1973, though the notes from the Book of Remembrance, written for the churchs 300th anniversary, discuss the entire history of the church. The portion of the First Church records at the Newton History Museum is particular strong in its documentation of the allocation of memorial funds to church furnishing and improvements.

The bulk of the First Church records, however, including vital statistics, financials, publications, photos, and memorabilia, can be found at the Congregational Library, 14 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108.

The Newton History Museum also maintains a collection of church-related materials filed separately. See Churches--Congregational--Second Church.

No. of Boxes: 10
Finding Aid: yes