American Home Missionary Society Records

Collection

Identifier: CN 142

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection contains incoming and outgoing correspondence; administrative materials; annual reports of the Society, whose stated purpose was the support of young congregations of Christians on the American frontier until such time as the congregation could become self-sufficient. Collection also includes a series of the Society's periodical, THE HOME MISSIONARY (1828-1909). This portion is on microfilm. Also included is a folder of letters, 1846-1854, written by members with reports of preaching, church membership, conversion, need of more missionaries and money.

A complete description of the contents of the microfilm portion of this collection is found in the printed copy of the Microfilm Edition. It includes a listing of the entire 385 reels, all of which are in the collection held by the Billy Graham Center. These will be found on pages 21-32. Also included in this collection is one folder (folder 1-1) of correspondence from members of the Society to three secretaries of the Society, Rev. Milton Badger, Rev. Bill M. Hill, and Rev. David B. Coe, 1846-1854.

Dates

1816-1936
Majority of material found in 1826-1894

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright on the microfilm is held by the Microfilming Corporation of America. Literary rights are held by many individuals and authors are expected to secure permission to quote from owners of rights. The papers are in the physical custody of Dillard University.

Historical Background

A group of small missionary societies, the earliest of which was the Young Men's Missionary Society of New York (formed in 1815) along with the New York Evangelical Missionary Society (formed in 1816) and other small agencies combined to make up the United Domestic Missionary Society in 1822. This group was supported by Reformed Churches and the Presbyterian Church. In May 1826, representatives from Congregational, Presbyterian, and Reformed churches met to form the American Missionary Society. During the convention, the United Domestic Missionary Society voted to merge with the American Home Missionary Society. Its purpose was to assist congregations in the United States and its territories primarily until they could become financially self-supporting. Women's groups within the society were recognized when a Women's Department was formed in 1883. Operations of the Society were carried out through auxiliary societies, agents and agencies. In the 1890s the Society membership increased from 17 to 203. However, by 1893 the interdenominational character of the Society had been lost and it was renamed Congregational Home Missionary Society, which was still in existence in 1975. For a more complete history of the Society, refer to the printed Microfilm Edition.

Extent

1 Box (DC)

385 Reels of microfilm

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Accruals and Additions

The materials were received at the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center in 1984 and 1985.

Accession 84-116

January 7, 1986

Frances L. Brocker

J. Nasgowitz