Title: Central United Methodist Church (Milwaukee, Wis.) Records
Inclusive Dates: 1844-1973

Creator:

• Central United Methodist Church (Milwaukee, Wis.)

Call Number: Milwaukee Mss AT; Milwaukee Micro 3, Milwaukee Micro 56; Micro 1; Micro 1121

Quantity: 6.8 c.f. (6 record center cartons and 2 flat boxes) and 3 reels of microfilm (35mm)

Repository:

Housed at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries’ Archives Department / Milwaukee Area Research Center; owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

Abstract:

Records of a Milwaukee Methodist church formed in 1969 from two urban Methodist congregations: the First Methodist Church which dated to 1836 and the Wesley Methodist Church which was formed in 1883. Records of First Methodist date to 1844 and include sacramental records (1892-1933), minutes of the board, financial records, committee files, records of the Milwaukee Missionary Society, information on various remodeling efforts, and miscellaneous historical materials. Notable are extensive files of church bulletins, 1900-1973, and mimeographed sermons of Ensworth Reisner, 1943-1973. For Wesley Methodist there are sacramental records (1883-1922), collected historical materials, and some ministerial subject files from the 1960s.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-mil000at

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Methodism in Milwaukee, Wisconsin had its beginnings in May 1835, when Reverend John Clark, a circuit rider sponsored by the New York Conference, formed the Milwaukee Mission. A year later a church was formed with Mark Robinson as the first minister and a congregation of over fifty members. In subsequent years that church underwent several location and name changes. In 1837 the church adopted as its name the Methodist Episcopal Church of Milwaukee. Its second building was constructed in 1845 on the northwest corner of West Water and Spring Streets; two years later the church was renamed the Spring Street Methodist Church to distinguish it from other Methodist churches being formed in Milwaukee. In 1870 a new building was constructed on the corner of Spring and Fifth Streets; seven years later the name of the church was changed to the Grand Avenue Methodist Church in order to conform with the renaming of Spring Street as Grand Avenue. The congregation built a new church on Grand Avenue between Tenth and Eleventh Streets in 1908. In 1927 the congregation's name was changed to the First Methodist Church, although the official name was the First Methodist Church of Spring Street Station.

The Wesley Methodist Church had its origins in missionary activities among Milwaukee Methodism. In September 1883 the City Missionary and Church Extension Society purchased a lot on Washington Avenue and in the following year the Washington Avenue Church was dedicated. This congregation was tied to the Grand Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church as eighteen members (out of a total of nineteen members) transferred from the older congregation. Due to increases in membership a larger church was needed within twenty years. This building, which was named the Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church, was dedicated in 1905.

By the 1960s, however, both congregations had begun to suffer a loss of membership due to the movement of many of their members to the suburbs. In June 1969 First Methodist and Wesley Church met this problem by merging, with Ensworth Reisner of First Methodist serving as pastor of the new church. Prior to the merger a portion of the first Methodist building was torn down to accommodate some expressway construction, and ultimately the entire building was razed. As a result the merged church worshipped in the Wesley Church building. In 1981 the Wesley building was destroyed and a new building constructed on the original site, 639 North 25th Street.

Both of these Methodist congregations exhibited considerable interest in their history, and the collection contains several histories and anniversary publications for researchers needing more detailed information.

The records of the Central United Methodist Church document the two congregations which merged in 1969, although there is little concerning the united church itself. Included are minutes, sacramental records, financial records, committee reports and records, sermons, bulletins, published historical materials and photographs, and some ministerial correspondence and subject files. The majority of the files concern First Methodist, the older congregation, and a number of these files are particularly notable because of their rarity or completeness when compared with the records of other churches held by the Archives. Among these are long runs of administrative minutes, financial records, bulletins, and sermons. The records of the Wesley Church, although much less complete, do include basic sacramental records.

The FIRST METHODIST Church historical files include published histories, anniversary booklets, and commemorative materials such as George W. Young and Rees Powell's Eighty Years: Historical Review of Grand Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, 1836-1916 (1916), John G. Gregory and Rees Powell's Century Survey: First Methodist Episcopal Church, Milwaukee, 1836-1936 (1936), and A. W. Kellogg's A Brief Historical Sketch of...Grand Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church (1904). Also included are Powell's correspondence and notes collected in the preparation of these works, pages from a historical scrapbook pertaining to concerts held in the church building before the turn of the century (donated by Powell), and some miscellaneous historical clippings.

While the First Methodist minutes are not complete, they document some aspects of official congregation proceedings as early as 1853. This section is, without doubt, the single most important source on the history of the congregation. Also among these early records are pastor's summary reports to the Quarterly Conference. Beginning in the 1920s the definition of minutes was expanded so that the records include reports, correspondence, and some financial records as well as official proceedings. The minutes are supplemented by microfilmed records of special meetings of the board (Milwaukee Micro 3/Micro 1) loaned by Albert B. Houghton.

Sacramental records, which are recorded in specially printed volumes, document only the middle period of the church's history (1892-1933). Included are lists of members and probationers, baptisms, and marriages. Related membership records also filed here include a register of people joining First Methodist (1954-1964) and microfilmed correspondence (1928-1944) which indicates the churches which departed members joined.

The financial records for this church date to 1844, although documents that can be considered true ledgers actually begin only in 1857. In addition to the account books maintained by the congregation treasurer (1857-1955), there are reports to the board, financial committee and budget material, and the aforementioned financial records in the minutes. Also included here is a volume entitled “Subscription book” which recorded individuals' collection plate offerings. This detailed volume has been retained chiefly because it documents the 1930s, a period when patterns of charitable giving are of special interest to historians.

Committee records include miscellaneous lists, minutes, publications, and information on various anniversaries and fund raising efforts. Several files concern the activities of the Epworth League during the 1930s and 1940s and the Milwaukee Missionary Society, an organization of Milwaukee businessmen which made possible the construction of several Methodist congregations during the nineteenth century.

Probably the weakest and most incomplete section of the First Methodist records include the documentation on the many ministers who served the congregation. Best represented is Ensworth Reisner, minister from the 1940s through the 1970s, for whom the collection includes a long run of sermons. These sermons, which were broadcast over the radio, are available only on microfilm. They are of interest not only for their theological content but also for the degree to which the minister referred to contemporary events and concerns.

Congregational publications include two issues of Good News, the church newsletter, and a very extensive run of church bulletins. Although sometimes recording only the order of the service, the file has been retained because many programs provide information on the activities of congregation groups and committees.

WESLEY METHODIST Church is documented by sacramental record books which cover the period 1883-1922, a file of collected historical materials, and a subject file probably created by Reverend David G. Owen during the early 1960s. Although quite fragmentary, the subject file hints at the congregation's involvement in contemporary social problems. Also here are some minutes and correspondence pertaining to Methodist Missioners and the Central Milwaukee Methodist Parish Council.

The MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS includes data publications pertaining to various Methodist churches and organizations in Milwaukee and a photocopied scrapbook on Welsh Methodists in Wisconsin apparently compiled by someone in Rees Powell's family.

In addition, the Wisconsin Historical Society's Visual Materials Archive holds related photographs including portraits of many ministers and interior and exterior views of the First Methodist and Wesley Church buildings.

Acquisition Information

Presented by the Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with portions via Ensworth Reisner and Mrs. Milton Sutton, 1965-1973. Portions loaned for filming, August 17, 1966 by Albert B. Houghton. Accession Number: M65-417, M66-294, M68-44, M72-138, M73-221

Processing Information

Processed, original collection reprocessed, and portions prepared for microfilming by Carolyn J. Mattern, 1987.

Milwaukee Mss AT	Series: First Methodist Records
	Historical material
Box   1 Folder   1	Anniversary publications
Box   1 Folder   2	Powell historical notes and correspondence, 1916-1954
Box   1 Folder   3	Powell First Methodist concert scrapbooks, 1888-1809
Box   1 Folder   4	Historical clippings, 1907-1963
	Minutes and official proceedings
Box   1 Folder   5	Stewards and leaders, 1853-1862
Box   1 Folder   6	Quarterly conference, 1860-1884
Box   1 Folder   7	Pastor's reports to Quarterly Conference, 1870-1878
	Board
Box   1 Folder   8	1901-1916
Box   1 Folder   9	1916-1923
Box   1 Folder   10	Unbound material for minutes, 1905-1920
Box   1 Folder   11	1923-1930
Box   1 Folder   12-13	1931-1938
Box   1 Folder   14	1937-1943
Box   2 Folder   1-2	1947-1951
Box   1 Folder   3-4	1951-1954
Box   1 Folder   5-6	1955-1957
Milwaukee Micro 3/Micro 1	Special meetings, 1906-1966
Milwaukee Mss AT	Sacramental records
	Church record books
Box   2 Folder   7	1892-1902 (Members, baptisms, marriages)
Box   2 Folder   8	1902-1912 (Probationers, members, baptisms, marriages)
Box   2 Folder   9	1913-1924 (Probationers, members, baptisms)
Box   3 Folder   1	1924-1933 (Probationers, members, marriages, baptisms)
Box   2 Folder   10	Membership transfer register, 1954-1964
Milwaukee Micro 56/Micro 1121 Reel   1 Frame   1	Letters of transfer from First Methodist (Alphabetical), 1928-1944
Milwaukee Mss AT	Financial records
Box   2 Folder   11	Trustees cash book, 1844-1870
Box   2 Folder   12	Spring Street Church construction records, 1870-1871
	Treasurers' account books
Box   2 Folder   13-14	1857-1883
Box   3 Folder   2	1878-1883
Box   3 Folder   3	1921-1930
Box   3 Folder   4	1930-1942
Box   7 Folder   1	1942-1950
Box   4 Folder   1	1950-1955
Box   4 Folder   2	Treasurers' reports to the Board, 1870-1883
Box   4 Folder   3	Treasurers' miscellaneous reports, 1870-1883
Box   4 Folder   4	Finance and budget committee, 1924-1947
Box   4 Folder   5	Subscription books, 1872-1880
Box   4 Folder   6	Collection record “Subscription book,” 1933-1941
	Committee and organizational records
Box   4 Folder   7	Anniversary committee, 1961-1962
Box   4 Folder   8	Miscellaneous committee lists, 1923-1939
Box   4 Folder   9	Centenary reports, 1920-1925
Box   4 Folder   10	Development Committee, 1929 (Powell file)
	Epworth League
Box   4 Folder   11	Correspondence, 1923-1931
Box   4 Folder   12	League Lore, 1928-1939
Box   4 Folder   13	Reid Cup, 1929
Box   4 Folder   14	Scrapbook, 1939-1941
Box   4 Folder   15	Fellowship Club, 1943
Box   4 Folder   16	Milwaukee Missionary Society, 1887-1904
Box   4 Folder   17	Remodeling committee, 1949-1951
	Ministerial files
Box   4 Folder   18	Stansell correspondence, 1930
Box   4 Folder   19	Mimeographed letters to the congregation, 1938-1941
Box   4 Folder   20	Merrill Abbey sermon, 1943
	Ensworth Reisner
Box   4 Folder   21	Correspondence, 1943
Milwaukee Micro 56/Micro 1121	Sermons
Reel   1 Frame   325	1943-1945
Reel   1 Frame   374	1946
Reel   1 Frame   425	1947
Reel   1 Frame   509	1948
Reel   1 Frame   586	1949
Reel   1 Frame   659	1950
Reel   1 Frame   728	1951
Reel   1 Frame   808	1952
Reel   1 Frame   889	1953
Reel   1 Frame   965	1954
Reel   1 Frame   1018	1955
Reel   2 Frame   1	1956
Reel   2 Frame   38	1957
Reel   2 Frame   125	1958
Reel   2 Frame   196	1959
Reel   2 Frame   250	1960
Reel   2 Frame   304	1961
Reel   2 Frame   330	1962
Reel   2 Frame   402	1963
Reel   2 Frame   474	1964
Reel   2 Frame   528	1965
Reel   2 Frame   575	1966
Reel   2 Frame   617	1967
Reel   2 Frame   672	1968
Reel   2 Frame   708	1969
Reel   2 Frame   783	1970
Reel   2 Frame   862	1971
Reel   2 Frame   948	1972
Reel   2 Frame   1052	1973
Reel   2 Frame   1120	Undated
Milwaukee Mss AT	Publications
Box   4 Folder   22	Good News, 1942, 1961
	Bulletins
Box   4 Folder   23	1900-1920
Box   5 Folder   1-26	1921-1969
Box   6 Folder   1	1970-1973
	Series: Wesley Methodist Records	⇧
Box   6 Folder   2	Historical material
	Sacramental records
	Church records
Box   6 Folder   3	1883-1892
Box   7 Folder   2	1895-1917
Box   6 Folder   4	1918-1922
Box   6 Folder   5	Transfer register, 1955-1966
Box   6 Folder   6	Miscellaneous membership lists, 1926, 1960-1961
Box   6 Folder   7	Miscellaneous bulletins, 1924-1959
	Ministerial subject files
Box   6 Folder   8	Barksdale Memorial Fund, undated
Box   6 Folder   9	Blendinger, John, 1965-1966
Box   6 Folder   10	Capital funds, 1966
Box   6 Folder   11	Central Milwaukee Methodist Parish-Council, 1963-1964
Box   6 Folder   12	Civil rights, circa 1963
Box   6 Folder   13	Covenant community, undated
Box   6 Folder   14	Ecumenical Institute, undated
Box   6 Folder   15	Emphasis, 1964
Box   6 Folder   16	Fund raising, 1961-1962
Box   6 Folder   17	Indianapolis consultantship, undated
Box   6 Folder   18	Insurance, 1957
Box   6 Folder   19	Membership analysis, 1959-1961
Box   6 Folder   20	Methodist Missioners, 1963-1965
Box   6 Folder   21	Miscellaneous correspondence, 1959-1960, undated
Box   6 Folder   22	Quarterly reports, 1965
Box   6 Folder   23	Restoration project, 1959
Box   6 Folder   24	Subscriptions, 1962-1963
Box   6 Folder   25	Summer projects, 1965
Box   6 Folder   26	Young adults, 1959-1962
	Series: Miscellaneous Records	⇧
Box   6 Folder   27	Milwaukee Methodism, 1935-1966
Box   6 Folder   28	Powell scrapbook on Welsh Methodism in Wisconsin, undated