Finding aid of the Metropolitan Community Church Historical Collection
Coll2009-006
Michael P. Palmer
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
© 2009
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90007
askone@usc.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Title: Metropolitan Community Church historical collection
creator:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2009-006
Physical Description:
12.2 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1969-2004
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: This collection consists of materials relating to the origins, history, and ministry of the Metropolitan Community Church,
including both its governing body, the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, and the individual congregations
that make up the Fellowship. The materials include brochures, bylaws, calendars, circulars, congregation meeting minutes,
correspondence, financial papers, flyers, handbills, installations of pastors, invitations, news releases, newspapers clippings,
orders of worship, pastoral letters, programs, sermons, and photographs. The most substantial records relate to the Beach
Cities congregation in Santa Monica, California; the Los Angeles "Mother Church" for the years 1969-1979; and the New York
City congregation for the years 1974-1977.
Physical Description: 6 records boxes + 3 archive cartons + 1 archive half-carton + 1 oversize box(12.2 linear feet).
Container: 1
Access
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
Publication Rights
Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in writing from ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives as the
physical owner. Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in the materials. Note that ONE
National Gay and Lesbian Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials directly from the copyright
holder(s).
Preferred Citation
Metropolitan Community Church historical collection, Coll2009-006, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.
Acquisition Information
Many materials came to the archives through a donation by Fred Bradford in 1979. Other materials were pulled together from
other collections at ONE National Gay and Lesbian Collections.
Processing Information
Formerly boxes 104-84 through 104-93, and ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives Subject Files. Collection processed by Michael
P. Palmer, November 17, 2009.
Administrative History
To be supplied later.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection consists of materials relating to the origins, history, and ministry of the Metropolitan Community Church
(MCC), including both its governing body, the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC), and the individual
congregations that make up the Fellowship. The materials include brochures, bylaws, calendars, circulars, congregation meeting
minutes, correspondence, financial papers, flyers, handbills, installations of pastors, invitations, news releases, newspapers
clippings, orders of worship, pastoral letters, programs, sermons, and photographs. Because of the method in which the collection
was created (see the Note below), the materials are fragmentary: the most substantial records relate to the Beach Cities congregation
in Santa Monica, California; the Los Angeles congregation for the years 1969-1979; and the New York City congregation for
the years 1974-1977.
Note: Prior to the engaging of professional archivists in 2006, the staff of the International Gay & Lesbian Archives, predecessor
to ONE Archives, would occasionally remove materials pertaining to a specific subject, individual, or institution from whatever
personal or institutional collection in which they were found to a specially created "historical collection". This procedure
not only compromised the integrity of the collections from which the material was removed, but also resulted in collections
that did not present consistent coverage of the intended subjects. The Metropolitan Community Church Historical Collection
is one such "artificial collection": parts of its contents can be traced to the collections of J. J. Bertrund Belanger, Fred
Bradford and Chuck David, Jim Kepner, Morris Kight, John O'Brien, and Johan Vessup. Returning individual items to the collections
from which they were taken is impractical; this finding aid indicates the origin of a specific file whenever this can be determined.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in 6 series: (1) UFMCC, (2) General Conferences, (3) Congregations, (4) Photographs, (5) Audio,
and (6) Memorabilia.
Separated Material
6 linear feet of newsletters transferred to ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives Periodicals and Newsletters Collection.
Original Register of Baptisms, Holy Unions and Members, February 1972-April 1975, of the Long Beach, California, congregation
(now disbanded), returned to the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Christian gay men
Christian lesbians
Christian gays
Gay liberation movement -- Religious aspects
Church work with gays
Homosexuality -- Religious aspects
Gays -- Religious life
Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches
West Bay Metropolitan Community Church (Santa Monica, Calif.)
Beach Cities Metropolitan Community Church (Santa Monica, Calif.)
Kepner, Jim (James Lynn Kepner, Jr.)
Metropolitan Community Church in the Valley (North Hollywood, Calif.)
Metropolitan Community Church of New York
Metropolitan Community Church (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Perry, Troy D.
Metropolitan Community Church (Santa Monica, Calif.)
UFMCC Series 1.
1969-2003
Physical Description: 1.3 Linear Feet
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains materials relating to the activities of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC),
the governing body of the Metropolitan Community Church. The series is arranged in 4 subseries: (1) Corporate Records, which
contains copies of corporate records such as the 1969 Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, and papers and meeting records of
the Board of Elders; (2) Boards / Committees / Departments / Ministries / Task Forces, which contains materials relating to
the Fellowship's various central administrative units, in particular the Elders' Task Force on Inclusive Language, the Board
of Institutional (later Prison) Ministry, Samaritan Theological Institute (now Samaritan College), and the Washington, DC,
Office; (3) General Files, which comprises administrative, educational, liturgical, and publicity materials created or collected
by the Fellowship, including records of Holy Unions performed by individual pastors, various editions of
Homosexuality: What the Bible does and does not say, and pastoral letters from the Rev. Troy Perry; and (4) Districts, consisting of materials relating to the districts into
which the Fellowship was divided, in particular communications from District Coordinators and documents relating to the annual
district conferences.
Corporate Records Subseries 1.1.
1969-1994
Physical Description: 2.5 Linear Feet
Subseries Scope and Content Summary
This subseries contains copies of the corporate records of the UFMCC. The records include the 1969 Articles of Incorporation
of the Metropolitan Community Church, various editions of the denomination's bylaws, papers and meeting records of the Board
of Elders, and records of the 1994 meeting of the General Council, a body formed by the Elders and District Coordinators.
For additional minutes of Board of Elders meetings, see Series 2 below.
box-folder 1 : 1
Articles of Incorporation
1969
Board of Elders
1975-1991
Physical Description: 4 folders.
box-folder 1 : 3
Papers
1975-1991
General note
File created by: MCC in the Valley
Meetings
1978-1979
Physical Description: 3 folders.
box-folder 1 : 4
1978-1979
General note
File created by: Fred Bradford/Chuck David
box-folder 1 : 5
1981-1982
General note
File created by: MCC in the Valley
box-folder 5 : 1 (Oversize)
1983-1985
General note
File created by: MCC in the Valley
Boards / Committees / Departments / Ministries / Task Forces Subseries 1.2
1974-1997
Physical Description: 3 Linear Feet
Subseries Scope and Content Summary
This subseries contains materials relating to the Fellowship's various boards, committees, departments, ministries, and task
forces. The materials are for the most part quite fragmentary, and several files contain no more than one or two pages. The
larger files are those relating to the Elders' Task Force on Inclusive Language; Institutional (later Prison) Ministry; Samaritan
Theological Institute (now Samaritan College), whose papers include syllabi and course descriptions; and the Washington, DC,
Office, established to track legislation and other developments in the national capital that affect the GLBT community.
box-folder 1 : 7
AIDS Ministry
circa 1983-1990
box-folder 1 : 9
Chemical Dependency Task Force
1977
box-folder 1 : 10
Christian Social Action
1976-1977, n.d.
box-folder 5 : 2 (Oversize)
Church Services
circa 1983
box-folder 1 : 11
Clergy Credentials & Concerns
1983-1984
box-folder 1 : 12
Evangelism & World Missions
1975
box-folder 1 : 13
Fellowship, Faith & Order
1975
box-folder 1 : 14
Hispanic American Ministry
1979-1986
box-folder 1 : 15
Inclusive Language, Elders' Task Force on
1981
box-folder 1 : 16
National Association of Deacons
circa 1977
box-folder 5 : 3 (Oversize)
Institutional/Prison Ministry
1974-1977
box-folder 1 : 19
Religious Institutes
1976-1977
General note
File created by: Chuck David
Samaritan Educational Ministries
1976-1984
Physical Description: 3 folders.
box-folder 5 : 4 (Oversize)
Samaritan Theological Institute/College
1976-1984
box-folder 5 : 5 (Oversize)
box-folder 1 : 20
Samaritan Extended Studies
1983-1984
box-folder 5 : 6 (Oversize)
Washington, DC, Office
1976-1980
box-folder 5 : 7
(Oversize)
World Church Extension
circa 1978-1987
General Files Subseries 1.3.
1969-2003
Physical Description: 0.75 Linear Feet
Subseries Scope and Content Summary
This subseries contains administrative, educational, liturgical, and publicity materials created or collected by the Fellowship.
Many of these files are quite fragmentary. The chronological files, which form half of the bulk of the subseries, contain
general communications from the Fellowship to the congregations at large, including financial and statistical reports, calendars,
news releases and other publicity materials; materials relating to fundraising events benefiting the Fellowship as a whole
(rather than individual congregations); concerts, anniversaries, and other events sponsored by the Fellowship as a whole;
and pastoral letters and other communications from the founder, the Rev. Troy Perry. The subseries also includes directories
of congregations and clergy for the years 1974-1983; as files on the 1980 Cuban Refugee Relief Project (to aid the lesbians
and gays among the Cubans expelled from their country that year); records of Holy Unions performed by various congregations
between 1970 and 1987; materials on Operation Resurrection, a program for spiritual renewal within the church; brochures containing
general information on the Fellowship and its congregations; and various editions of "Homosexuality: What the Bible does and
does not say". The file on Troy Perry contains materials relating to his activities outside his role as founder and moderator
of the Fellowship.
Brochures
1969-1994
Physical Description: 2 folders.
box-folder 5 : 8 (Oversize)
box-folder 5 : 9 (Oversize)
Homosexuality: What the Bible does and does not say
1969-1990
Chronological Files
1970-2003
Physical Description: 23 folders.
box-folder 5 : 10 (Oversize)
box-folder 5 : 11 (Oversize)
box-folder 1 : 45
Coors Truck
1979-1983
General note
File created by: MCC in the Valley
box-folder 1 : 46
Cuban Refugee Relief Project
1980
Directories
1974-1983
Physical Description: 6 folders.
box-folder 1 : 55
Internal Revenue Service
1976
box-folder 1 : 56
Liturgical Materials
n.d.
box-folder 5 : 12 (Oversize)
box-folder 5 : 13 (Oversize)
National Council of Churches
1981-1992
box-folder 5 : 14-15 (Oversize)
Newspaper Clippings
1970-1998
Physical Description: 2 folders.
box-folder 1 : 57
Operation Resurrection
1976-1980
box-folder 5 : 16 (Oversize)
Other Denominations
1969-1994
box-folder 1 : 60
Silent Harvest Ministries
1986
Districts Subseries 1.4.
1973-1988
Physical Description: 2 Linear Feet
Subseries Scope and Content Summary
This subseries contains materials relating to the districts into which the Fellowship was divided. The records are miscellaneous
and fragmentary. The majority of the documents comprise communications from the District Coordinators concerning the implementation
of Fellowship policies and directives, and materials relating to the annual district conferences. Other materials include
occasional publications, bylaws, and a grant proposal to the 1987 National March on Washington to fund an AIDS housing and
service ministry. Seventy-five percent of the documents relate to the Southwest District, headquartered in Los Angeles.
box-folder 5 : 17 (Oversize)
Northeast
1973-1978
General note
File created by: Chuck David
box-folder 5 : 18 (Oversize)
Southwest
1974-1985
Physical Description: 10 folders.
box-folder 5 : 19 (Oversize)
box-folder 1 : 74
District Conference
May 1984
General Conferences Seeries 2.
1970-1997
Physical Description: 0.75 Linear Feet
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains the records of General Conferences, at which general policy of the Fellowship is determined. General
Conferences were originally held annually, but since 1979 they have been held biannually. The records of the General Conferences
include reports by each congregation as well as by officers and departments of the Fellowship, Board of Elders meeting minutes
and supporting materials, budgets, long-range plans, position papers, bylaw revisions, programs, and studies. The materials
prior to 1985 are considerably more extensive than those from 1985, which are quite fragmentary. For additional Board of Elders
meeting minutes, see Subseries 1.1 above.
box-folder 1 :
75
General Conference 1. Los Angeles
September 25-27, 1970
box-folder 1 :
76
General Conference 2. Los Angeles
September 3-5, 1971
box-folder 1 :
77
General Conference 3. Los Angeles
September 1-3, 1972
box-folder 1 : 78
General Conference 4. Atlanta
1973
box-folder 5 : 20
(Oversize)
General Conference 6. Dallas
July 29-August 3, 1975
General note
File created by: Jim Kepner
box-folder 1 :
79
General Conference 7. Washington, D.C.
August 10-15, 1976
box-folder 1 : 80-82
General Conference 8. Denver, Colorado
August 1-7, 1977
Physical Description: 3 folders.
box-folder 1 :
83
General Conference 9. Los Angeles
August 13-19, 1979
General note
File created by: Fred Bradford
box-folder 2 : 1-2
General Conference 10. Houston, Texas
August 3-9, 1981
Physical Description: 2 folders.
box-folder 5 : 21
(Oversize)
General Conference 11. Toronto, Canada
July 11-17, 1983
box-folder 2 :
3
General Conference 12. Sacramento, California
June 30-July 7, 1985
box-folder 2 : 4
General Conference 13. Miami, Florida
July 19-26, 1987
box-folder 2 : 5
General Conference 15. Phoenix, Arizona
July 14-21, 1991
box-folder 2 : 6
General Conference 18. Sydney, Australia
July 20-25, 1997
Congregations Series 3.
1969-2004 (bulk 1970-1985)
bulk
Physical Description: 6.5 Linear Feet
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains brochures, bylaws, calendars, circulars, congregation meeting minutes, correspondence, financial papers,
flyers, handbills, installations of pastors, invitations, news releases, newspapers clippings, orders of worship, pastoral
letters, programs, sermons, and other materials relating to individual Metropolitan Community Church congregations. The series
is arranged in 5 subseries: (1) General, (2) Beach Cities (formerly West Bay; Santa Monica, California), (3) Los Angeles,
(4) New York City, and (5) MCC in the Valley (North Hollywood, California).
General Subseries 3.1.
1970-2004 (bulk 1970-1985)
bulk
Physical Description: 11.5 Linear Feet
Subseries Scope and Content Summary
This subseries contains materials relating to individual Metropolitan Community Church congregations other than the four represented
by Subseries 3.2 through 3.5 below. The materials are quite fragmentary and for many congregations consist of only one or
two items. The most substantial files are those for All Saints MCC/First MCC of West Hollywood/MCC Silverlake (Los Angeles,
California); Auckland, New Zealand; Boston; Cincinnati; Long Beach, California; Pomona Valley, California; San Diego; San
Francisco; and Washington, DC. The materials for the Chicago congregation include a cookbook; those for the Long Beach congregation
include the first Register of Baptisms, Holy Unions and Members from 1972 (the original volume, as a sacramental record, has
been returned to the Fellowship; the Archive retains a photocopy).
box-folder 2 : 8
Albany, New York
1976, 1979
box-folder 2 : 9
Albuquerque, New Mexico
n.d.
box-folder 5 : 22
(Oversize)
All Saints MCC / First MCC of West Hollywood / MCC Silverlake, California
1977-circa 1995
box-folder 2 : 10
Anchorage, Alaska
1974, n.d.
box-folder 5 : 23 (Oversize)
Atlanta, Georgia
1974-1981
box-folder 5 : 24 (Oversize)
Auckland, New Zealand
1988-1991
General note
File created by: Rev. Richard Mickley
box-folder 2 : 11
Australia & New Zealand
n.d.
box-folder 2 : 12
Bakersfield, California
1987
box-folder 2 : 13
Baltimore, Maryland
1974-1980
box-folder 5 : 25 (Oversize)
Boston, Massachusetts
1973-1988
box-folder 5 : 26 (Oversize)
Brooklyn, New York City
1975-1985
box-folder 2 : 16
Charlotte, North Carolina
2003
box-folder 5 : 27 (Oversize)
Chicago, Illinois
1977-1984
box-folder 5 : 28 (Oversize)
Christ Chapel (Costa Mesa / Santa Ana, California)
n.d.
box-folder 5 : 29 (Oversize)
Cincinnati, Ohio
1981-1984
box-folder 2 : 19
De Colores (Eagle Rock, California)
1981-1984
box-folder 2 : 22
Detroit, Michigan
1974-1984
box-folder 5 : 30 (Oversize)
East Bay, MCC of the (Oakland, California)
1976-1978
box-folder 5 : 31 (Oversize)
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
1980-1985
box-folder 2 : 24
Glendale, California
1998-2004
box-folder 2 : 25
Glendale, California. Divine Redeemer MCC
1982-1988
box-folder 2 : 26
Hartford, Connecticut
1974-1979
box-folder 2 : 27
Hawaii (Honolulu)
1971-1974
box-folder 2 : 28
Hi Desert, MCC of the (Palm Springs, California)
1987-1989
box-folder 2 : 30
Johnson County (Shawnee, Kansas)
1994-1995
box-folder 2 : 32
Liverpool, United Kingdom
1985
box-folder 5 : 32 (Oversize)
London, Ontario, Canada
n.d.
box-folder 2 : 33
London, Ontario, Canada. Holy Fellowship MCC
n.d.
Long Beach, California
1970-1997
Physical Description: 2 folders.
box-folder 5 : 33 (Oversize)
box-folder 7 : 14
(Oversize)
Register of Baptisms, Holy Unions, & Members
February 1972-April 1975
Physical Description: Photocopy; original register returned to UFMCC.
box-folder 2 : 34
Long Beach, California. Maranatha
n.d.
box-folder 2 : 36
Minneapolis, Minnesota
1983
box-folder 5 : 34 (Oversize)
box-folder 2 : 38
Nashville, Tennessee
1978-1981
box-folder 5 : 35 (Oversize)
New Covenant (Anahem / Garden Grove, California)
1982-1988
box-folder 2 : 40
New Jersey
1975
General note
File created by: Chuck David
box-folder 2 : 41
New Orleans, Louisiana
1975
box-folder 2 : 42
New Orleans, Louisiana. Vieux Carre
n.d.
box-folder 5 : 36 (Oversize)
New York. MCC Hispana
1978
box-folder 2 : 44
Ocean of Life (Costa Mesa, California)
1984, n.d.
box-folder 5 : 37 (Oversize)
Oceanside, California
1976-1981
box-folder 2 : 45
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1974-1987
box-folder 5 : 38 (Oversize)
Phoenix, Arizona. Casa de Cristo
1984-1985
box-folder 2 : 47
Phoenix, Arizona. A Gentle Shepherd
1996
box-folder 5 : 39 (Oversize)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1974-1988
box-folder 5 : 40 (Oversize)
box-folder 6 : 1 (Oversize)
Portland, Oregon
1977-1980
box-folder 2 : 48
Riverside, California. Good Shepherd
1987
box-folder 2 : 49
Rockies, MCC of the (Denver, Colorado)
1977, n.d.
box-folder 2 : 50
Sacramento, California
1971-1977
box-folder 6 : 2 (Oversize)
Salt Lake City, Utah
1978
box-folder 6 : 3 (Oversize)
San Diego, California
1970-1980
box-folder 2 : 52
San Francisco, California
1970-2003
box-folder 2 : 53
San Gabriel Valley, California
1982
box-folder 6 : 4 (Oversize)
San Jose, California
1973-1982
box-folder 2 : 54
Santa Barbara, California
1981-1983
box-folder 2 : 56
Syracuse, New York
1977-1978
box-folder 6 : 5 (Oversize)
box-folder 2 : 58
Trinity MCC (San Bernardino / Pomona / Riverside, California)
1977-1980
box-folder 2 : 60
Twin Cities MCC (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
n.d.
box-folder 2 : 61
Van Nuys, California
1983
box-folder 2 : 62
Ventura, California
1980-1994, n.d.
box-folder 6 : 6 (Oversize)
box-folder 6 : 7 (Oversize)
Westchester, New York
1976
box-folder 2 : 63
Worcester, Massachusetts
n.d.
box-folder 2 : 64
Unidentified Congregations
n.d.
Beach Cities (formerly West Bay; Santa Monica, California) Subseries 3.2.
1971-1983
Physical Description: 23.5 Linear Feet
Subseries Scope and Content Summary
This subseries comprises the records of the MCC congregation in Santa Monica, founded in 1973. The congregation was incorporated
in 1977 as the West Bay MCC; the corporation was dissolved in 1980, when the congregation was reconstituted as the Beach Cities
MCC. The congregation was always small, and appears to have dissolved some time shortly after the resignation and withdrawal
of its treasurer and vice-moderator, Walter Crosley, in 1983. The bulk of the records appear to come from Crosley. The materials
include a photocopy of the original 1972 petition to form the congregation, articles of incorporation for the West Bay MCC,
minutes and notes of Board of Directors and congregational meetings, financial records, membership records, pastoral letters
and personal correspondence of the pastor, records of social and fundraising activities, a
curriculum vitae of John Barbone prior to his calling to the pastorate, evaluations of pastoral staff, and papers of the Pulpit Committee
relating to searches for pastors in 1977 and 1983. (An audiocassette of sermons submitted in 1983 by the Revs. Richard A.
Matera and Rev. Phillip Eberle, as part of their application is cataloged in Series 5, below.)
box-folder 2 : 65
[West Bay MCC] Articles of Incorporation / Franchise Tax Board / Dissolution
1977-1980
Board of Directors
1975-1983
Physical Description: 9 folders.
box-folder 6 : 8 (Oversize)
box-folder 2 : 70-71
Binder
1982
Physical Description: 2 folders.
Financial Records
1973-1983
Physical Description: 22 folders.
box-folder 6 : 9 (Oversize)
box-folder 6 : 10 (Oversize)
box-folder 6 : 11 (Oversize)
box-folder 6 : 12 (Oversize)
box-folder 10 : 1-6 (Oversize) ; 11 :
1-7
Banking Records
1974-1983
Physical Description: 13 folders.
box-folder 10 : 1-6 (Oversize)
1974-1983
Physical Description: 6 folders.
box-folder 11 : 1-7
1975-1981
Physical Description: 7 folders.
box-folder 2 : 78
[West Bay MCC] Treasurer's Report
1973-1980
box-folder 2 : 79
Alcoholism Resources
1971-1981
Chronological Files
1974-1983
Physical Description: 3 folders.
box-folder 6 : 13 (Oversize)
box-folder 6 : 14 (Oversize)
box-folder 2 : 84
Congregational Meetings
1976-1977, 1979, 1981
box-folder 2 : 86
Fellowship & District Tithes
1977-1983
box-folder 2 : 87
[West Bay MCC] General Service Materials
1976-1977
Membership
1979-1983
Physical Description: 3 folders.
box-folder 2 : 89
Letters of Transfer & Membership Certificates
1979-1980, 1983
box-folder 2 : 91
Membership Lists
1981-1983
box-folder 2 : 93
[West Bay MCC] Orders of Worship
1975
box-folder 2 : 94
Pastoral Letters
1974-1981
Personnel
1979-1981
Physical Description: 9 folders.
box-folder 3 : 1
Banner, Richard
1979-1981
box-folder 3 : 2
[West Bay MCC] Barbone, John (Pastor)
1978
box-folder 3 : 4
Dearth, Bill (Pastor)
1982-1983
box-folder 3 : 7
McCormick, Jeri
1980-1981
box-folder 3 : 10
Petition to form MCC Mission in Venice
1972
Pulpit Committee
1977-1983
Physical Description: 2 folders.
box-folder 6 : 15 (Oversize)
Social Action Committee
1979-1981
box-folder 3 : 13
South Bay Parish
1971-1973
Southwest District Conference
1981, 1983
Physical Description: 2 folders.
box-folder 3 : 16
[West Bay MCC] Stationery
n.d.
Los Angeles Subseries 3.3.
1969-1994 (bulk 1969-1981)
bulk
Physical Description: 10.5 Linear Feet
Subseries Scope and Content Summary
This subseries contains materials relating to the Los Angeles MCC, the "Mother Church" of the Fellowship, founded by the Rev.
Troy Perry in October 1969. The records derive from a number of sources-the handwriting of J. J. Bertrund Belanger, Jim Kepner,
Morris Kight, John O'Brien, and Johan Vessup can be recognized on various documents-and are very incomplete. The majority
of the documents date from the pastorships of Troy Perry (1968-1973), Lee Carlton (1973-1975), James Sandmire (1975-1977),
Donald Pederson (1977-1978), and the first years of the pastorship of Jeri Ann Harvey (1978-1985). Half the materials by bulk
consists of the Chronological Files, which contain correspondence, administrative papers, financial reports, congregational
meeting minutes, resumes for candidates for the Board of Directors and for delegates to the annual District Conference, flyers
and handbills, programs, pastoral letters, and news releases. The earliest files also include mimeographed news sheets (printed
newsletters have been transferred to the Archives' Periodicals and Newsletters collection). The flyers and programs document
the extensive social programs of the congregation, including the annual May Festival, and various concert and theatrical performances,
the latter, in the earliest years, often held in cooperation with Pat Rocco and the Society of Pat Rocco Enlightened Enthusiasts
(SPREE). A large number of the social events were held to benefit the Building Fund, first for the church at 2201 South Union
St. (dedicated in 1971), and then, after its destruction by fire in January 1973, for the building at 1050 South Hill St.
(dedicated in 1974). The congregation also held elaborate annual celebrations on the anniversary of its founding. Orders of
Worship files contain printed programs for the Sunday worship services. The Ecumenical Construction Company files document
the congregation's response to Operation Resurrection, a program for spiritual renewal within the Fellowship (see Subseries
1.3 above). The Gospel Ministry of Music files reveal the significant role that music played in the life of the congregation,
while the Police Relations folder documents the congregation's involvement in the struggle to end police harassment of gays
and lesbians. The Holy Unions file supplements the Holy Unions file among the Fellowship records (see Subseries 1.3 above).
Of particular interest, veteran activist and writer Jim Kepner's notes on weekly services and congregational meetings provide
insights into events and personalities not available elsewhere.
box-folder 3 : 17
Board of Directors
1975-1982
box-folder 3 : 18
Christian Women's Association
n.d.
Chronological Files
1969-1994
Physical Description: 29 folders.
box-folder 6 : 16 (Oversize)
box-folder 6 : 17 (Oversize)
box-folder 6 : 18 (Oversize)
box-folder 6 : 19 (Oversize)
box-folder 6 : 20 (Oversize)
box-folder 6 : 21 (Oversize)
box-folder 6 : 22 (Oversize)
box-folder 6 : 23 (Oversize)
box-folder 6 : 24 (Oversize)
Council on Christian Growth
1975-1976
box-folder 3 : 40
Crisis Intervention Center
n.d.
box-folder 3 : 41
Delegates Report & Report of General Conference
1979
box-folder 3 : 42
Ecumenical Construction Company
1980-1981
box-folder 6 : 25 (Oversize)
Gospel Ministry of Music
1977-1980
box-folder 3 : 43
Growing American Youth
circa 1975
History
1971-1989
Physical Description: 2 folders.
box-folder 9 : 1 (Oversize)
box-folder 3 : 46
Kepner, Jim. Notes
1970-1975
box-folder 3 : 48
Letterhead & Envelopes
n.d.
Orders of Worship
1969-1987
Physical Description: 18 folders.
box-folder 4 : 8
Police Relations
1974-1977
box-folder 6 : 27 (Oversize
Vessup, Johan B.
1972-1976
New York City Subseries 3.4.
1973-1979, 1984-1988, 2004
Physical Description: 14 Linear Feet
Subseries Scope and Content Summary
This subseries contains records of the MCC of New York City. The bulk of the materials dates from the period 1973-1978, and
comes from the papers of Fred Bradford and Chuck David, at that time partners, and both at one time or other during the period
members of the congregation's Board of Directors. The Board of Directors materials include minutes of Board and Congregation
meetings, correspondence with various UFMCC boards and officers, congregation administrative documents, and extensive handwritten
notes, primarily by Chuck David. The chronological files for 1973-1979 contain correspondence, financial documents, flyers,
and other materials relating to all aspects of the life of the congregation during the period. The chronological files for
1984-2004 contain miscellaneous materials, primarily flyers, circulars, brochures, and routine correspondence from the subject
files at ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives. The Self Study files contain materials produced and collected in the process
of a self-evaluation carried out by the congregation in 1976. The Orders of Service/Worship files contain printed programs
for the Sunday worship services; the documents include a number of orders of worship for the Metropolitan-Duane United Methodist
Church, at 13th Street and 7th Avenue, whose facilities were also used by the MCC congregation.
Board of Directors
1975-1978
Physical Description: 4 folders.
box-folder 4 : 9
August-December 1975
General note
File created by: Chuck David / Fred Bradford
box-folder 6 : 28 (Oversize)
1976
General note
File created by: Chuck David
box-folder 4 : 10
1977
General note
File created by: Chuck David
box-folder 6 : 29 (Oversize)
1978
General note
File created by: Chuck David
Chronological Files
1973-1979, 1984-1988, 2004
Physical Description: 13 folders.
box-folder 6 : 30
(Oversize)
Chronological File
circa 1973-1978
box-folder 6 : 31 (Oversize)
1973
General note
File created by: Fred Bradford
box-folder 6 : 32 (Oversize)
box-folder 6 : 33-34 (Oversize)
1975
Physical Description: 2 folders.
box-folder 6 : 35-36 (Oversize)
Chronological File (2 folders)
1976
Physical Description: 2 folders.
box-folder 7 : 1-2 (Oversize)
Chronological File (2 folders)
1977
Physical Description: 2 folders.
General note
File created by: Chuck David
box-folder 7 : 3 (Oversize)
1978
General note
File created by: Chuck David
Orders of Service (from 1976, Worship)
1974-1979
Physical Description: 6 folders.
box-folder 7 : 4 (Oversize)
box-folder 7 : 5 (Oversize)
box-folder 4 : 18-20
Self Study
1976-1977
Physical Description: 3 folders.
MCC in the Valley (North Hollywood, California) Subseries 3.5.
1970-1994
Physical Description: 7.5 Linear Feet
Subseries Scope and Content Summary
This subseries contains documents relating to the MCChurch in the Valley, in North Hollywood, California. The materials are
quite miscellaneous and fragmentary. Some of the documents derive from the collections of Jim Kepner, others from an individual
who was possibly a member of the congregation's staff or Board of Directors. The Adult Christian Training files contain papers
relating to the congregation's "program of education for spiritual growth and ministry". The chronological files include announcements,
brochures, bylaws, correspondence, flyers, news releases, pastoral letters, programs, and solicitations. The Freedom Center
file contains correspondence in 1987 with Walter Williams, President of the International Gay & Lesbian Archives (predecessor
to ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives), on the possibility of housing the Archives in the congregation's new facility. The
Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Religious Coalition file includes agenda, bylaws, and correspondence relating to the Coalition,
while the Social Action, Women, and Women's Issues files document the congregation's political activity in pursuit of social
justice. The Orders of Worship files contain printed programs for the Sunday worship services, as well as weekly news of congregation
activities.
box-folder 7 : 6 (Oversize)
Adult Christian Training
1988-1990
Chronological Files
1970-1994
Physical Description: 14 folders.
box-folder 7 : 7 (Oversize)
box-folder 7 : 8 (Oversize)
box-folder 7 : 9 (Oversize)
box-folder 4 : 32
Faith, Fellowship & Order / Toward a Theology of Human Sexuality
n.d.
box-folder 4 : 37
Leadership Rap Material
1981
box-folder 7 : 10 (Oversize)
Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Religious Coalition
1980-1983
box-folder 4 : 39
Newspaper Clippings
1998-1999
Orders of Worship
1973
Physical Description: 8 folders.
Social Action
n.d.
Physical Description: 6 folders.
box-folder 7 : 11 (Oversize)
box-folder 7 : 12 (Oversize)
box-folder 7 : 13
(Oversize)
Women's Issues
circa 1977-1982
Photographs Series 4.
circa 1956-1990
Physical Description: 5 folders.
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains photographs found within the collection.
Box 8, Folder 1
General
circa 1956-1990
Physical Description: 25 Photographic Prints
Scope and Contents
The folder contains photographs of clergy, including Troy Perry, Wally Lanchester, Bill Quesinberry, Robert Sirico, and Willie
Smith, and a worship service held at Christ Church MCC, Miami, by Don Hoffman (Fort Lauderdale), Edler John Gill (Atlanta),
Keith Davis (Miami), Frank Crouch (Nashville) and Edith Allen Perry and her husband (Troy's parents.)
Box 8, Folder 2
Long Beach, California. Church
circa 1972
Physical Description: 6 Photographic Prints
Scope and Contents
The folder contains color Polaroid photographs of MCC Long Beach's first church, found inserted in the congregation's first
church register (see Series 3.1 above).
Box 8, Folder 3
Los Angeles
1969-1975
Physical Description: 13 Photographic Prints
Scope and Contents
The folder includes photographs of church picnics, demonstrations, Troy Perry and Tom Bradley, a property at 35th and Normandie
being considered in September 1973 as a replacement for the Mother Church at 2201 South Union which was destroyed by fire
in January 1973, and a police van outside the church at 1050 South Hill St. in 1975.
Box 9, Folder 2
Oceanside, California. [oversize]
September 23, 1979
Scope and Contents
The folder contains photographs of the installation of the Reverend Flo Fleischman as pastor of the congregation.
Box 8, Folder 4
San Francisco
1970-1973
Physical Description: 5 Photographic Prints
Scope and Contents
The San Francisco folder contains photographs of a "spiritual renewal" in September 1970, and of the aftermath of the fire
that destroyed the San Francisco church in July 1973.
Audio Series 5.
1983
Physical Description: 1 audiocassette.
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series consists of a single audiocassette submitted in 1983 to the Pulpit Committee of MCC Beach Cities (See Subseries
3.2 above) by the Revs. Richard A. Matera and Rev. Phillip Eberle, as part of their application for the position of pastor
to the congregation.
box-folder 9 : 3 (Oversize)
MCC Beach Cities. Pulpit Committee. Audiocassette of sermons by Rev. Richard A. Matera and Rev. Phillip Eberle
1983
Physical Description: 1 audiocassette : analog ; 60 minutes.
Memorabilia Series 6.
circa 1990
Physical Description: 2 items.
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series consists of two plastic frisbees, circa 1990, imprinted with the logo of MCC Long Beach, address and contact information,
times of church services, and the phrase "Jesus is an equal opportunity savior".
box-folder 9 : 4-5 (Oversize)
MCC Long Beach. Frisbees, "Jesus is an equal opportunity savior"
circa 1990
Physical Description: 2 frisbees : diameter 9 inches ; white with red lettering.