Cochrane Street United Church, originally a Methodist congregation, began as a Sunday School in 1878 and became a congregation in 1882 with the opening of its first church building at the same site as the present church building. The congregation was administered by the officers and the rules of the St. John's Circuit of the Methodist Church and was bound by the rules and discipline of the Methodist Church. In 1890, the congregation became independent and was known as St. John's East Circuit of the Methodist Church.
The congregation has had two forms of governance since its organization as an independent congregation.
When the congregation became independent in 1890, it was administered by a Quarterly Official Board, made up of a Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, members of the Board of Stewards, responsible for property and financial matters, and members of the Board of Session, responsible for the spiritual life of the congregation and personnel matters relating to the paid ordained and lay staff. The Minister or Ministers of the congregation were also members of the Quarterly Official Board, as were representatives of men and women's groups, and the Sunday School. A Board of Trustees had authority in legal and financial matters and also were members of the Official Board.
The Official Board met quarterly and held at a least an annual congregational meeting to report on the various aspects of church life. The congregation was also called to meetings by such items as the search for a new minister or major financial or other matters. The Boards of Stewards, Session and Trustees usually met monthly as individual committees or more often as required in order to carry out the day to day work of the church.
In 1914, the church building was destroyed by fire. The new building, on the original site, was opened in 1916. The church administration had the same structure, except that the congregation was now named Cochrane Street Methodist Centennial Church, in recognition of the Centenary of formalized Methodism in St. John's. In 1925, like all other Methodist churches in Newfoundland, Cochrane Street became a member of The United Church of Canada and was known as Cochrane Street Centennial United Church. The Centennial part of the name was no longer in use by the mid-1940's.
In 1987, to better reflect the work and activities of the church, the duties formerly entrusted to the Quarterly Official Board, Stewards, Session and Trustees were given to a new administrative structure, variously known as Board of Management and Board of Directors, and approved at the annual meeting of the congregation in 1987. The work of the Session now fell under Church Life and Worship Committee with its subcommittees of Worship and Sacraments, Pastoral Care, and Christian Education. The Property Committee and the Finance Committee assumed the duties of the Board of Stewards. A Board of Trustees continued to have supervision over legal, insurance and some financial aspects of the congregation. Women and men's groups continued to have representation on the new Board as did a Ministry and Personnel Committee responsible for all aspects of the relationship between employed ordained and lay staff of the congregation and the members of the congregation.
The Board met usually monthly, and reported to the congregation at least annually or at times when the concerns of the congregation needed to be heard, at times of searching for a new minister, or when major issues faced the congregation. The committees and subcommittees met usually monthly or more often as required, and reported through their representatives (usually the chairs of the committees) to the regular meetings of the Board. They also reported at the annual meetings of the congregation, as did all other groups in the congregation, such as the men's and women's organizations.
Throughout the evolution of the congregation, various committees were established for other work, such as carrying out particular projects, studying and reporting on various issues, or searching for a new minister. In 2002, a Committee on Records, Archives and History was approved by the Board to care for the records produced within the congregation as well as help promote the congregation to its members and in the community.
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Partial
Draft
Based on content of records, as well as legal documentation
The fonds consists of records which document the work and activities of Cochrane Street United Church congregation, its boards and committees and its organizations, with the records starting in 1882.
The records consist of the administrative records of the congregation which include the Quarterly Official Board, the Boards of Session and Stewards, their committees, both standing and ad hoc, and the Board of Management starting in 1987, and its committees. The fonds also includes financial records, comprising of financial statements and reports as well as some audited reports. Also included are vital statistic records dating from the independence of the congregation in 1890 and membership records dating from 1916. Annual reports, many of which were published, are included. Women's and men's groups, youth groups, and Sunday School records are also a part of this fonds.
The records are arranged in the following series: board and committee records (1882-2005); financial records (1935-2004); legal records (1876-1981); baptism, marriage and burial records (1890-2006); membership records (1891-2005); congregational meetings (1930-2003); annual reports (1916-2005, predominant 1948-2005); general correspondence (1979-2003); Sunday School records [1886-198-]; youth groups records [196-]-[199-]; women's groups records (1931-2005); men's groups records [191-]-2001; related records ([19-]-2004).
When possible, the records have been arranged according to the administrative structure of the church. Such is the case with the two forms of church governance which this congregation has used. Some records, such as baptism, marriage and burial registers, membership records, congregational meetings, legal records and some financial records overlap the changes in administration of the church and are created independently of the form of administrative structure of the congregation. They are therefore described as separate series.
Other records, such as the youth and women's groups do not demonstrate this difficulty, as changes in administrative structure of these organizations or, or in the case of the women's groups, evolution of the organizations into new organizations resulted in completely new sets of records. These organizations report to the Congregational Board of the time but are not otherwise subject to Board or committee governance.
Early Sunday School records are fragile and copies have been produced. The earliest Circuit register is also in fragile condition.
The records had been acquired over a number of years in several accessions from church officials and congregation members.
Accruals are expected on a regular basis.
The custody of most of the described records is unknown. Since most United Church records were created and maintained by volunteers, they were often kept in private homes. In the case of this particular congregation, this practice was most fortunate as many of the records that predate the fire which destroyed the church building in 1914 survived. The Archives was established in 2003 at which time it assumed physical control of the church records that had been previously gathered and stored in the church building.
The deeds of the congregational property are copies. The originals are held by the Registry of Deeds, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Photocopies of the annual congregational meetings have been completed and are stored off-site.
The early Sunday School records (1886) are in fragile condition as are the early membership books (1891-1967). These Sunday School records have been photocopied and all users are expected to use the copy.
The membership books must be used under the direct supervision of the Archives staff until a copy can be produced. There are no other restrictions to access to any records currently in the custody of the Church Archives. New transfers will be restricted until described.
In addition, any records containing personal information such as donor information and personnel documents transferred to the Archives, will be restricted, with those restrictions applied according to the Privacy Policies of The United Church of Canada.
A finding aid is available, both printed and electronic, and contains descriptions to the file level in all series, sub-series, and to the item level in some. A box list is included.
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The United Church Women (UCW) was formed in 1962, with the approval of the General Council of The United Church of Canada in 1960. This was part of the general re-organization of the Church, and which included the demise of the Women's Missionary Society and the Woman's Association, and the creation of the national Board of Women.
The United Church Women was organized on the structure of the Church with groups at the Conference, Presbyterial and congregational levels. Membership was open to any woman who agreed with the general aim of the organization - to promote the mission of the Church. The UCW made annual reports to the Board of Women, and the Conference bodies were to carry out policies and recommendations determined by this Board.
The UCW became more independent with the dissolution of the Board of Women and the establishment of the Division of Mission, although this latter relationship meant that the UCW lost any corporate representation at the national level of the Church. This was dealt with through the formation of the National Consultation of Women of the United Church of Canada.
In Newfoundland, the inaugural meeting of the United Church Women at the Conference level was held at Cochrane Street United Church in St. John's on 13 Mar. 1962. Mrs Blanche Luscombe of Cochrane Street church was elected President. In addition to the usual officers, Secretaries of Community and Visiting, Literature and Communications, Press and Publicity, Program, Stewardship and Recruiting, and Supply and Social Assistance were elected. Committee chairs were also elected, comprising Christian Citizenship and Social Action, Co-operation in Christian Education, Finance, Leadership Development, Nominations, and Periodicals.
In 1962 the membership of the Newfoundland and Labrador Conference UCW was 7,304 and they raised $100, 019, with $14,685 raised for the Mission and Service Fund of the Church.
The Presbyterial Presidents, the Executive and area Vice-presidents acted as a liaison between the Conference UCW and the local congregational groups. Decisions pertaining to the work of the groups are directed through these contacts. Rallies, workshops, retreats, and the annual meetings of Presbyterials allow for the exchange of fellowship, ideas, and experience, as well as challenging the women in their church work.
Cochrane Street UCW, organized in 1962, was a part of St. John's Presbyterial of the UCW. At the congregational level, it was organized into units, with the usual officers, as well as an Executive to bring the general membership together for joint meetings and to help direct the work of the UCW as a whole, although the various units also planned their own activities and projects. In 2000, United Church Women became, with all other women's groups in the church, part of the Women's Ministry Network.
The whereabouts of most of the records of this organization are unknown but the reports to the Board and Committees of the church demonstrate the work and activities of the UCW as do the reports of the United Church Women in the annual reports of the congregation. Declining numbers in the 1990s led to the amalgamation of some units, with three units operating as independent groups in 2005.
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Sub-series consists of minutes of the general meetings of the members 1986-1989, 1991-1996, and executive meetings 1986-1998; membership records including lists of members 1962-1996, executive members 1963, 1966, 1967, 1975, 1980, 1989-1990, 1992-1998; and correspondence, receipts and order of service relating to life membership in the group 1982-1984, 1987, 1990 -1994, 1998. Also a part of United Church Women records are correspondence 1966, 1968, 1979, 1989-1990, 1993-1998, annual reports 1963, 1976, 1982-1985, 1987, 1989-1997, and descriptions of program activities 1966-1998.
Unit records consist of Kainos unit minutes 1993, 1996, and Mrs. J. Reynolds unit minutes and list of members 1962-1967.
Financial records consist of statements and budgets 1963, 1965, 1968, 1972-1973, 1975-1976, 1979, 1981-1983, 1988-1998, miscellaneous invoices 1979-1980, 1987, 1990, contributor receipts 1987-1988, 1990, 1992-2002, contribution accounts 1996-2002 and ledgers 1962-1983.
Graphic images consist of four photographs depicting several women (identified) preparing a potluck supper June 1980, with all photographs included in one frame.
Miscellaneous records for the United Church Women consist of certificates of appreciation 1986, 1989, 1991, a service bulletin for the inaugural service of the United Church Women 1962, newspaper clipping of obituaries of several members of UCW, promotional brochure Cochrane Street United Church UCW 1997, song sheets, and a pamphlet describing the Fellowship of the East Coin.
A piece of embroidery depicting Cochrane Street United Church [19-] is a part of this subseries, date unknown.
This group was established in the early 1950's by a group of women in the congregation. It was organized, like the other women's groups of the time, with officers and a constitution. The members met during the day, often at members' homes. It reported annually to the congregation and summaries of the work and activities of the group can be found in the annual reports of the congregation. The group was somewhat similar to that of Time Out For Women, established in 1983, as it provided support and fellowship to its members, most of whom had young children, and as a fund-raising group within the congregation. It disbanded in about 1961, possibly due to the formation of the new women's group within the National Church, United Church Women.
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Sub-series consists of a copy of the constitution [1960] of the group, an account book 1955-1961, financial reports 1956-1960 and correspondence 1953.
Established in 1983 as a six week trial project for women and young children, it quickly became a weekly fellowship and support group for women of all ages. The group operates without officers or rules, with the activities of the group dependent on the interests of the members at any one time. The group's activities include crafts, worship activities, chores of various kinds in the church building, outreach activities both church and community oriented, as well as fund-raising, which over the years has been primarily directed for capital efforts of the congregation rather than operational expenses. For most of its existence the group has had no standing within the national church. However, since 2000, it, like all women's groups within The United Church of Canada, is a part of the Women's Ministry Network. The group reports annually to the congregation and the annual reports of the congregation include reports of this organization.
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Sub-series consists of a scrapbook containing photos and list of activities and monies donated to Church 1985-1998, ten photos illustrating group activities and members [198-], 2003, 2005, and a miscellaneous file of records consisting of three items: service bulletin 2002, a newspaper clipping 2004, and a list of donations made to the church by the group 1985-1998.
The Women's Missionary Society (WMS) of the Methodist Church of Canada had been organized in Hamilton, Ontario, on 8 Nov. 1881. In Newfoundland, in 1882, Rev. T. H. Janes, minister, George Street Church, St. John's, organized the first Auxiliary in Newfoundland with Mrs. John Steer, President, Miss Julia Milligan, Secretary, and a membership of twenty-five.
Other Auxiliaries followed and on 18 Nov. 1915, the Newfoundland Branch was formed. By the time of church union in 1925, the total membership of the organization - Auxiliaries, Mission Circles, Mission Bands, and Little Light Bearers was 4,124.
The Women's Missionary Society brought together in 1925, with Church Union, the Women's Missionary Societies of both the Presbyterian Church and Methodist Church, as well as the Canada Congregational Women's Board of Missions. The aims of the organization were wide-ranging, and involved youth, the community, and overseas mission work.
By 1962 when the WMS and the Woman's Association were disbanded and the United Church Women took their place, the work of the WMS was quite extensive. In addition to the usual office holders, Departments of the organization included Christian Stewardship, Mission Circles, Canadian Girls in Training and Explorer groups, Mission and Baby Bands, Associate Members, Supply, Community Friendship, Literature, Candidate Secretary, Missionary Monthly and World Friends, Christian Citizenship, and Press. Organization of the groups parallelled the organization of the United Church, with Conference, Presbytery, and congregational levels of the WMS.
At Cochrane Street congregation, the organization was part of the church from the beginning. The whereabouts of the majority of the records of the WMS at Cochrane Street are unknown. However, Board documents demonstrate the extensive involvement of the women within the church in this organization. The group at Cochrane Street celebrated their silver (25th) anniversary on 5 Mar. 1924, and continued as an organization until it was superseded by the United Church Women in 1962.
The annual reports of the congregation give a summary of the work of this organization as do the various Boards and Committees of the church.
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Sub-series consists of minutes 1931-1940 including member lists for 1956-1961; lists of members 1953-1956; lists of members and officers 1957-1961; and reports 1958-1961.
Organization of the Woman's Association (WA) dates from Church Union in 1925. However, there were Ladies Aid Societies in many congregations before this time. "The purpose of the organization was to deepen the spiritual life of the women of the Church and to promote a program of Christian fellowship and service, personal evangelism, and stewardship. This was defined as assistance to the local minister, visitation, promotion of Christian education in the home and Sunday school, and general oversight of the furnishing of the manse." (Victoria University Archives, Administrative history of the WA).
Unlike other organizations within the Church, the Woman's Association was first formed on a local congregational and Presbyterial level. The Dominion Council of the Woman's Association was established in 1940, with a full-time Executive Secretary being appointed in 1953.
In 1956, the Council co-operated in the work of the Commission to Study Women's Work and in 1962 the Council was dissolved. This was part of the larger re-structuring of the Church, which saw the demise of the Women's Missionary Society and the Woman's Association and the formation of the United Church Women as the new organization for all women in the Church.
The whereabouts of many of the records of the Women's Association and the previous Ladies Aid Society are unknown; however, the Board and Committee records of the congregation demonstrate the extensive involvement of this organization within the life of Cochrane Street church. The annual reports of the congregation give a summary of the work of the organization until 1962 when it was superseded by the United Church Women.
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Sub-series consists of minutes 1960-1961; an account book 1956-1961; membership records comprising lists of Executive members 1959-1961, a list of members of the group for 1961 and miscellaneous records which consist of a Service bulletin for the Bi-annual meeting of Women's Association, St. John's Presbytery, held at Cochrane Street United Church 1957 and a short history of Women's Association of Cochrane Street United Church by Mrs. Alex Marshall 1959.
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Sub-series consists of a scrapbook, described as a separate subseries as it is not part of any one women's group records, contains photographs and newspaper clippings about the various women's groups of the congregation (Women's Association, United Church Women, and Women's's Missionary Society) as well as a cookbook produced by the Women's Association in 1961.
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Series consists of annual reports including the work of the Board, and the reports of the various committees and organizations in the congregation. The reports also include financial statements and budgets for the Board, committees and organizations. Some of the annual reports are printed in-house or, in the case of some of the early ones, printed by either a newspaper publisher or a publisher within the community. Some of the reports are in the form of working notes. These working notes are the reports of the various organizations which would form the final annual report of the congregation. Some of the annual reports are missing; the whereabouts of these is unknown.
The records are as follows: annual reports including financial statements 1916, 1917, 1920, 1948; 1950-1953 includes working notes for 1953; 1954-1962 includes working notes for 1958-1965, 1967-1969, 1971, 1973-2005.
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Series consists of vital statistic records of the congregation dating from the formation of the congregation as an independent congregation in 1890. They include baptism, marriage and burial registers arranged as follows: baptisms 1890-2006; marriages 1890-2006; and burials 1890-2006.
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Series consists of financial statements and reports including some annual budgets and analyses of contributions 1935, 1939-1943, 1950-1964, 1966-1998; treasurer's reports 1990-1997, 1999-2004; audited financial statements 1964, 1967-1968, 1970-1981, 1985 and un-audited financial statements 1923, 1989, 1990.
Also see congregational annual reports for annual financial statements and annual budgets for the congregation as well as annual financial statements of various church organizations. The Board of Stewards records contain day-day operational financial records.
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Series consists of minutes of the administration of the Sunday School for [1886]-1922 including financial statements; Board of Directors minutes 1962-1963, and Bible Class (teenage children) minutes 1964-1965 including annual reports and correspondence. Also a part of this series are attendance and membership records including students and teachers for 1914-1921, Beginner's Department 1924-1930, 1961-1962, Junior Church 1954-1933, Attendance roll [196-?] and a list of students and teachers [196-].
Other records comprising this series are financial records: account book 1961-1967; donation envelopes 1961-1963; and a single invoice for 1960; reports 1963-1964; a significant piece of correspondence dated 1924 which is a letter from missionary in China with translation and supporting documentation, as well as several pieces of correspondence dated 1962-1963. A miscellaneous group of records consists of service bulletins [191-]-[192-], cradle roll certificates [195-]-[196-], collection envelopes [191-]-[192-?], Sunday School Library Book Catalogue [19-], Sunday School curriculum material 1933-1934, 1938, [195-?], [198-], invitation to attend Sunday School [19-], invitation and program for nursery party 1965, and the Sunday School Institute round table discussion program [19-].
Although this congregation started as a Sunday School, the extent of the records does not reflect the significance of Sunday School in the congregation through 125 years of church history. It is not known where the records might be; however, it is evident from the records that, as the Sunday School changed from a formal afternoon meeting to meeting during church services in the 1970s, records were not as consistently created.
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Series consists of a file of miscellaneous correspondence, not attributable to any particular organization or body in the congregation. They include letters to the congregation from the minister of the time, notices about activities within the congregation and received correspondence from various sources. These records cover the years 1979-1985, 1992-2003.
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Series consists of legal records that are primarily copies and include deeds 1876, 1883, 1899, 1924, 1955; minute of meeting re: transfer of lease of land to Board of Trustees 1879; statement of costs re: refinanced mortgage of manse 1981; and a summary of descriptions of church property [189-].
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Sub-series consists of Quarterly Official Board records consist of minutes 1907-1987 including some financial statements and some annual meetings; lists of members of the Quarterly Official Board 1958-1966; Pastoral Relations Committee minutes and correspondence 1965-1973 and Ministry and Personnel Committee minutes 1965, [197-]-1986. Also included is a correspondence file 1942-1944, 1958-1966, 1980-1986 which includes miscellaneous financial statements and members of committees. The New Church Building Committee 1914-1918 is a major file in this sub-series and contains correspondence and financial records, architects' specifications, and blueprints and drawings, for the construction of the present church building as well as material related to the stained glass windows in the church. Documents relating to the Harrison and Harrison organ 1914-1916 are included.
The Board of Trustee records consist of minutes 1891-1944 and a Trustee account book 1885-1891 which contains some correspondence.
Board of Stewards records consist of lists of members 1958-1986, terms of reference for the sub-committees 1979, and minutes 1929-1940, 1954-1960, 1964-1987. Board of Stewards Committee records consist of Finance Committee minutes 1973 and reports [195-]-1960, 1970, 1977-1979, Organ Committee minutes and correspondence 1956, Membership Committee minutes 1956, Debt Retirement Committee minutes 1977, Projects Committee terms of reference, notes and correspondence 1978, Congregational Contributions Committee minutes 1981, New Members Committee minutes 1957-1958, Memorial Gift Committee minutes 1982, and Ushering Committee lists of members 1959-1967, 1985. Some lists of duties of ushers are part of the Usher Committee records.
The Property Committee records consist of minutes 1958, 1959, 1984; reports 1956-1968, 1980, 1981; wiring plans 1957 by Fred. W. Bishop, Heating and Piping Consultant; blueprints of electrical and other renovations 1982 by Bill MacCallum, Architect; artist's rendition of memorial plaque [196-]; drawings, specifications and correspondence 1955-1958 (includes transfer letter) for a new organ; and miscellaneous records 1958-1986.
Financial records of the Board of Stewards consist of pew rents, general and other accounts, loans and bequests, and ledgers. Pew rent books cover the years 1882-1916, 1940-1954, 1916-1929. The latter book contains general accounts 1919-1929 and parsonage accounts 1919-1929. Account books 1907-1935 also contains congregational loans, 1907-1916, 1918-1926, and 1937-1944, with the latter also containing pew rents. Additionally there is a list of pew holders which is undated. Loans and bequests records 1936-1945 and ledgers 1933-1977, 1983-1984 are part of this file.
The Board of Session records consist of minutes 1933-1966 which is a very small file and includes some special Committees of Session, minutes 1929-1987; pastoral acts, primarily membership transfers, and some requests for baptismal and marriage certificates, 1922, 1933-1942, 1946-1948, 1950, 1955, 1958-1960, 1968-1979, 1981-1988; preaching mission correspondence and miscellaneous records 1968; reports [19-]-1958, 1968, 1972; lists of members of Session 1945-1969; and a correspondence file [193-], 1932-1987.
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Sub-series consists of Board of Management records consisting of administrative records comprising several versions of constitution of the Board 1987-1990; organizational structure of the Board 1987; mission statements 1991, 1996; minutes of Board 1987-2004; correspondence 1986-1988, 1990-1997, 1999-2004; and minister's reports to Board 1987 Mar-Dec, 1988 [Dec].
Board of Management Committees described in this sub-series are Church Life and Worship Committee and its subcommittees, Mission and Outreach Committee, Property Committee, and a number of smaller Committees.
Church Life and Worship Committee records consist of organizational structure [1987]; minutes 1987-2002; reports 1987, 1992 Sept. 1995 Jan. 2002 Sept. Nov. 2004 Nov.; correspondence 1987-1989, 1991, 1993, 1995-1998, 2000; lists of persons making memorial donations to the church 1981-1988, 1988-[1995]; and a photographic Church Directory 2000.
Worship and Sacrament sub-committee records consist of terms of reference [1987] and minutes 1987-1989. Pastoral Care sub-committee records are minutes 1987 and an annual report 1990. Christian Education sub-Committee records are terms of reference [1987], minutes 1987-1988, 1992, 1995, reports [199-], and miscellaneous correspondence and other records [199-].
Mission and Outreach Committee records consist of minutes 1987 (3 mtgs.), includes goals and objectives; 1988 (3 mtgs.), 1989 (4 mtgs.), 1990 (4 mtgs.), 1991 (1 mtg), 1992 (3 mtgs.), reports 1993, 1994 (includes some correspondence) and social outreach proposals 1986, 1988.
Property Committee records consist of minutes 1987 (3 mtgs.), 1990 (1 mtg), 1992 (1 mtg), 1993 (1 mtg), 1994 (4 mtgs.), 1996 (1 mtg), 2003 (signed set); general correspondence 1994-2005; correspondence and reports relating to oil spill 2002; correspondence, quotes, permits relating to renovations 1987-2001; operational records concerning inspections, fire and life safety 1994-2003; service agreements 1997-2002; and a small number of reports and guidelines relating to the use of the church building [198-]-2001.
There are a number of other committees which are arranged as follows: Usher Committee minutes 1995, schedules 1988-1989 and a report 1987; New church Development / Redevelopment Committee minutes, correspondence, and reports 1988-1989; Planning and Priorities Committee minutes and reports 1988-1992; Pastoral Relations Committee report [199-]; Needs Assessment Committee report 2002; Ad hoc Committee re oil spill and financial situation minutes, correspondence and reports 2002-2003; Finance Committee minutes 1998, discussion notes 2001, and treasurer's reports 1991, 1994-2000; Lay Training Committee report to national church 1995; Ministry and Personnel Committee reports and correspondence 1987-2002.
A final group of records are reports to Board from East District meetings 1995, 1996.
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Series consists of minutes of annual meetings of the congregation, and congregational meetings which document the various matters about which the congregation must be informed or when major decisions are to be made. These minutes cover the period 1928-2002.
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Series consists of a membership list of the congregation who have been admitted as members through affirmation of faith, re-affirmation of faith, confirmation, or transfer of membership from another congregation. The records are arranged as follows: membership lists 1891-1916, circuit register 1917-1967, historic rolls 1966-2006.
AOTS (As One That Serves) is a layman's service organization which is church based but open to all interested men on a broad ecumenical basis, and which maintains an independent organizational and financial structure. The name of the organization is based on the Gospel of St. Luke, 22:27: "I am among you as One that serves". The organization attempts to combine the spiritual with the social on an everyday level.
Over its history, the organization has related to the Church in various ways, including the Board of Men from 1954 and to the Division of Mission from 1972. It also relates to Conferences and Presbyteries through Councils and Districts and within congregations through Men's Clubs.
AOTS had its beginnings in 1923 in Vancouver, at Kerrisdale Methodist Church (Ryerson United), and was started there by a physician, Dr Herbert Riggs. The idea spread to other churches across the country, and became a national organization in 1947. A history of the movement was published in 1973 for the 50th anniversary.
Although there are general aims with which all clubs agree, each group has its own autonomy. The content of both meetings and activities varies amongst clubs throughout the country. There may often be a meeting over a meal and activities range from fund-raising within the congregation where the club is based to far-reaching projects both at home and abroad.
AOTS aims to promote service within a Christian context, allowing for laymen in the church to socialize and support each other, while providing a basis for service. In Newfoundland, by 1970 there were twenty-one men's groups. The 13th national annual convention was held in Newfoundland in 1983.
At Cochrane Street church, there have several efforts to establish a Men's Club. Although there is no mention of any of these clubs being affiliated with the national AOTS organization, even though the aims of service within a Christian context apply at Cochrane Street United Church. There are references in the records of men being invited to meet in the 1910's, and planning meetings for a Men's Club in the 1930's. There is some indication that the present day club had its origins from that time. The men have been meeting over a meal on a regular monthly basis, with a nominal charge being paid for the meal. In the early days of the club, the women's groups often catered as a means of fund-raising. The men have held various events as fund-raisers. The money raised at the dinners, notable among them partridge suppers, flipper suppers and Jiggs dinners, help to support the work of the congregation.
The whereabouts of all the group's records are unknown but the work and activities of the organization are well documented in the Board and Committee records as well as in the annual reports of the congregation.
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Series consists of constitutions [198-], 1995; member lists, officers and members of Committees 1961, [198-]-1998; minutes 1956-1966, 1985 (summary), 1986 (2 mtgs.), 1987 (1 mtg.), 1986 (1 mtg.), 1988 (1 mtg.), 1989-2000; activities lists and reports [195-], 1990-1998 and records relating to Usher Committee Cambridge Choir Concert 1995.
Also a part of the series are financial records which include reports (primarily annual) 1943, 1948, 1951, 1957, 1961, 1963, 1987-1998; miscellaneous financial records 1950-1951, 1999-2001; publications comprising monthly newsletters 1958-1966 describing the work and activities of the club and the 1st edition of the St. John's Young Chinese Christian Association Journal February 1958; correspondence 1985-2002; and annual reports 1963, 1989, [1990], 1995.
A number of graphic images are included. They are described as follows: dinner with the attendees identified (date unknown), two photographs of identified attendees at a partridge supper 1944, men serving flipper dinner 1985 and five photographs of men in the club serving Jiggs Dinner.
Miscellaneous records include dinner meeting invitation to the 10th annual meeting 1950; newspaper clipping [194-?]; invitations to men's meeting [191-]; Men's Club locker inventory 1995; information file about the club 1990; Memorial hymn sing pledge sheets; correspondence and order of service 2001; hymn sheets [19-] and a Song book [19-]. Also included is a copy of "Minutes of preliminary meeting held at manse Oct 16, 1939 for the purpose of forming a men's association" (2 meetings 16 Oct. 1939 and 13 Nov. 1939) - original held at the Newfoundland and Labrador Conference Archives, Mr. Harold Luscombe private papers).
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Series consists of a visitor's books and service bulletins.
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Sub-series consists of orders of service for regular and special services 1900-1966, 1968, 1975-1976, 1980-1988, 1990-1992, 1994-2004. There are also some undated and miscellaneous service bulletins. Since 1975 it appears that the service bulletins were more consistently retained.
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Sub-series consists of a visitor's books containing names, addresses and comments by persons visiting the sanctuary for worship or other events 1943-2003.