Guide to the Collection of Materials Relating to the Pacific Unitarian Church 056

Monique Sugimoto

Palos Verdes Library District, Peninsula Center Library. Local History Center.

2023 Sep 20

701 Silver Spur Road

Rolling Hills Estates, California 90274

localhistory@pvld.org

URL: http://www.pvld.org/localhistory

Contributing Institution: Palos Verdes Library District, Peninsula Center Library. Local History Center.

Title: Collection of Materials Relating to the Pacific Unitarian Church

Identifier/Call Number: 056

Physical Description: 4 Folders

Date (inclusive): 1963 - 1965

Physical Location: Local History Center

Abstract: Collection documents the month-long series of events to dedicate the Pacific Unitarian Church.

Language of Material: English .

Container: SC 5

Conditions Governing Access

Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the Local History Center for access information.

Conditions Governing Use

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation

[Name of item], Collection of Materials Relating to the Pacific Unitarian Church (Collection 56). Local History Center, Peninsula Center Library, Palos Verdes Library District, Rolling Hills Estates, CA.

Biographical / Historical

The Pacific Unitarian Church started in February 1957 as the Pacific Unitarian Church Society. Rev. Dr. Harry Andrew Shuder, a retired Unitarian minister, served as a volunteer charter minister and was instrumental in getting the Church started. In 1959, the church registered as a California nonprofit, changing its name to Pacific Unitarian Church.

For eight years, the congregation held services in rented space in the South Bay including Walteria Park, Torrance and Miraleste School. The Church purchased the land for its current site in 1962. The modern design structure by architect Carleton M. Winslow, Jr. who specialized in ecclesiastical design opened in 1965.

Included in the Church opening and dedication was establishing the Harry A. Shuder Memorial Library to house the sermons and writings of Dr. Shuder.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by folder title; thereunder chronologically.

Scope and Contents

Includes brochures and public relation files.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated to the Local History Center by Jeannette Mucha.

Processing Information

Initial rehousing and stabilization of materials by Local History Center volunteers. Final arrangement and description by Michele Fricke and Monique Sugimoto, September, 2023.

Related Materials

Local History Center Subject and Biographical File Collection (Heading: Churches -- Pacific Unitarian Church.)

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Pacific Unitarian Church (Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.)

Pacific Unitarian Universalist Church (Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.)

Pacific Unitarian Church (Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.)--History

Dedication programs October 1965

Scope and Contents

Includes programs for The World of Man, a month-long series of events to dedicate the Pacific Unitarian Church building on Montemalaga Drive.

File of information gleaned to produce brochures and news releases Aug - Oct 1965

Scope and Contents

Includes memos and notes to the Dedication Committee on plans for the dedication service; artist Marcus White and his gift, the 'Specter of Job' sculpture; art exhibition; and religious education program.

Public relations file

Scope and Contents

Includes notes of the Public Relations Subcommittee for the dedication program; Dedication Committee meeting minutes; and decanted binder from the Subcommittee with mockup and final dedication brochures, news releases and press lists, letters and invitations, and internal Church newsletters and communications.

General

Original deteriorating news clippings photocopied and originals discarded.

Racial and social justice policy statement ca 17 Nov 1963

Scope and Contents

Includes single page document outlining Church committment to social justice. Document labeled, 'FINAL POLICY DRAFT FOR CONGREGATIONAL APPROVAL ON 17 NOVEMBER 1963'.