Call Number:

05

Repository:

Millbrook Society

Extent:

33.0 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1920-2000 (bulk) and 1739-2003 (inclusive)

Creator:

Hatboro Baptist Church.

Abstract:

On September 8th, 1835 the Hatboro Baptist Church in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania met for the first time in the Loller Academy with twenty-two members. On May 31st of the following year, the Hatboro Baptist Church was received into membership of the Central Union Association during its 4th annual session. Hatboro Baptist Church records, 1739-2003, contain materials related to the administration and activities of Hatboro Baptist Church, as well as some vital records.

The Harboro Baptist Church was founded in 1835. The backbone of the church is its Sunday school, which predates the church itself. Baptist Hatboro residents began meeting for religious instruction in local Loller Academy in 1823, twelve years before the Hatboro Baptist Church was officially constituted. On September 8th, 1835 the Hatboro Baptist Church met in Loller Academy with twenty-two members, and on May 31st of the following year the Hatboro Baptist Church was received into membership of the Central Union Association during its 4th annual session.

Bibliography:

Hatboro Baptist Church. "Church History," accessed October 24, 2011. http://www.hatborobaptistchurch.org/

The Hatboro Baptist Church records contain materials related to the administration and activities of Hatboro Baptist Church, as well as some vital records. The administrative and financial records include, but are not limited to: annual reports, 1949-2002; Board of Trustees minutes, circa 1835-1984; church correspondence, 1918-1979; membership lists; Church Council minutes, 1952-1962; Deacon records; Personnel committee minutes; a receipt book (1931-1953); records and correspondence regarding the Church building and other properties owned by the Church, 1959-1977; budgets; account books, 1855-1908; and treasurer's reports, circa 1980.

Records of church activities include, but are not limited to: Vacation Bible School minutes, 1914-circa 1955; copies of the "Spire" and "Broadcaster" newsletters; Mission Circle minute book, 1931-1953; Social Union minutes, circa 1894-1925; Mite Society of the Hatboro Baptist Church constitution and minute book, circa 1840; Sunday School records, circa 1930-1977; Church programs; event calendars, 1968-1875; Church and wedding forms and reservation requests; committee reports 1949-1956; an account book of the Poor Friend of the Hatboro Baptist Church, 1849-1922; Church bulletins; photographs; blueprints; pamphlets; a scrapbook of mostly newspaper clippings, 1869-1977; hymnals; membership cards; guest and event registers; and Church photograph albums depicting Church members, activities, and the Church building, circa 1880-1970. A photograph album from the Scanlon family, circa 1920-1940, features photographs of Church pastors.

The vital records include: a wedding records index; marriage licenses, 1971-1986; church cemetery records; certificates of internment; and cemetery plot deeds and burial lists.

A highlight of this collection is about 40 vellum and paper deeds dating from 1739-1956. Many record transfer of property to Hatboro Baptist Church, but the relations between the other deeds and the Church is less clear.