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Center City Churches

 Collection
Identifier: MS-CenterCity

Scope and Content

The records of Center City Churches contain Board meeting minutes, Executive Committee meeting minutes, committee reports, newsletters, financial information, some correspondence, newspaper clippings, and historical information. Also included are programs, brochures and flyers from Center City Churches sponsored events. The material ranges in date from 1963 – 1996, with the bulk of records being from 1970 – 1987.

Dates

  • 1963 - 1996

Access Restrictions

The records are stored ina restricted area and therefore may not be available on a same-day basis.

Use Restrictions

See Hartford History Center’s Collection Use policy. Permission to publish from the Collection must be obtained in writing from curator of the Hartford History Center, and a copy of the published work may be requested by the Hartford History Center. The Hartford History Center reserves the right to refuse permission to publish, etc. to those who have not complied with its policies. Use of the collections will normally not be permitted for the purpose of promotion of commercial products and services or political campaigns. Hartford History Center at Hartford Public Library reserves the right to limit the number of photographic prints/captures and to restrict the use or reproduction of rare, fragile, or valuable objects.

Historical

Center City Churches was begun informally when the clergy of several downtown Hartford churches began meeting in 1965 to discuss better ways to minister to their changing congregations. In 1967, the eight congregations of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal), First Church of Christ (Center Church, Congregational), First Presbyterian Church, Church of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal), Emanuel Lutheran Church, South Park Methodist Church and Central Baptist Church, founded Center City Churches for the Aging, Inc. (SPA). In 1969, these eight churches formed Center City Churches, Inc. The organization was governed by a Board of Directors comprised of representatives from the eight churches. The Rev. David S. King served as the first full time administrator.

Over the years, the agency created Connecticut’s first supportive housing program for people living with AIDS, Hartford’s first and only group home for adults with mental illness, Hartford’s first soup kitchen, Hartford’s only fuel assistance program for the working poor, Connecticut’s first and Hartford’s only weekend senior nutrition program, Hartford’s most comprehensive after-school tutoring and arts education program for elementary school children, six week summer programs for grades k – age 11, a year round children’s theater program, day care for children age 3 – 6 of employed parents, Center for Youth Resources (CYR) for teens, Friendship Center for alcoholic and lonely adults in the downtown area, and a healthcare screening and referral service.

In 2006, Center City Churches became the Hartford affiliate of the HandsOn Network. The agency changed its name to Hands On Hartford in 2007.

Extent

2 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The collection contains the philosophical, administrative, financial, and historical records of Center City Churches, Inc. The records are comprised primarily of the meeting minutes of the Board and committees as well as programs, brochures and flyers from Center City Churches sponsored events.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Physical Location

Closed stacks

Accruals

Collection is closed. Additional material is not expected.

Processing Details

Collection processed in 2019. ArchivesSpace finding aid created 2021.

Title
Center City Churches
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Hartford History Center Repository

Contact:
Hartford History Center
Hartford Public Library
500 Main St
Hartford CT 06103 USA
860.695.6297