This collection contains administrative materials, convention documents, and publications by Christian Endeavor organizations in San Diego County from the late-1800s to mid-1900s.

The Christian Endeavor Society was an international Protestant youth organization. It was formed in 1881 in Portland, Maine, when a local minister, Francis E. Clark, decided to form a group for the young people of his congregation. The object of this group was to “promote an earnest Christian life among its members, to increase their mutual acquaintance, and to make them more useful in the service of God.” As the number of regional societies increased, the United Society was formed in 1885 with headquarters in Boston. Each Christian Endeavor Society was tied to a local church, which determined theology and activities for the group. Individual societies were linked by County Unions, and County and District Unions were in turn linked by State, International, and World Unions. The Christian Endeavor Society was referred to as an “Inter-racial, Inter-denominational and Inter-national fellowship.” There is evidence in these records of the earliest Christian Endeavor group in San Diego in 1891 at the First Congregational Church of San Diego at Fourth and Date Streets.

4.5 Linear feet (8 boxes)

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

This collection is open for research.