Guide to the San Diego County Christian Endeavor Collection
MS 293
Finding aid prepared by Samantha Mills
San Diego History Center Document Collection
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA, 92101
619-232-6203
January 5, 2017
Title: San Diego County Christian Endeavor Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS 293
Contributing Institution:
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
4.5 Linear feet
(8 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1890-1967
Abstract: This collection contains administrative materials, convention documents, and publications by Christian Endeavor organizations
in San Diego County from the late-1800s to mid-1900s.
creator:
San Diego Christian Endeavor Society.
creator:
San Diego County Christian Endeavor Union.
Biographical / Historical Notes
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.
Scope and Content
This collection contains administrative materials, convention documents, and publications by Christian Endeavor organizations
in San Diego County from the late-1800s to mid-1900s. Administrative materials include minutes, attendance records, and reports,
and pertain to both the Christian Endeavor Society based at the First Congregational Church of San Diego and the San Diego
County Christian Endeavor Union covering all societies in the county. Convention documents include programs for annual county
conventions between 1894 and 1967 as well as planning documents for the California State convention held in San Diego in 1939.
Finally, publications include the “Breezes” newsletter, pamphlets, and books.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in four series:
Series I: Administration: San Diego Christian Endeavor Society;
Series II: Administration: San Diego County Christian Endeavor Union;
Series III: Conventions and Activities;
Series IV: Publications.
Preferred Citation
San Diego County Christian Endeavor Society Collection, MS 293, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Frank Sweeney in December 2011.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
First Congregational Church of San Diego..
United Society of Christian Endeavor .
Christian youth
Christianity
San Diego (Calif.)
San Diego (Calif.) -- Church history
San Diego County (Calif.)
San Diego County (Calif.) -- Church history
Series I:
Administration: San Diego Christian Endeavor Society
Box-folder 1:1
Secretary Book,
1891-1892
Scope and Content
Small ledger including meeting minutes, attendance, membership, and constitution.
Box-folder 1:2
Attendance Book,
1892-1898
Scope and Content
Small ledger including constitution, membership list, attendance records.
Box-folder 1:3
Secretary Book,
1894
Scope and Content
Small ledger including meeting minutes, membership list, attendance records.
Box-folder 1:4
Attendance Book,
1895-1897
Series II:
Administration: San Diego County Christian Endeavor Union
Box-folder 1:5
Meeting Minutes,
1896-1897
Box-folder 1:6
Executive Committee Minutes,
1931-1932
Box-folder 1:7
Meeting Minutes,
1932-1933
Box-folder 1:8
Meeting Minutes,
1948-1962
Includes:
Monthly and executive minutes. Attachments include correspondence, meeting notices, constitution and by-laws, in memoriam
notices.
Box-folder 1:9
President’s Reports,
1932-1936
Box-folder 2:1
Congregational and Presbyterian Intermediate Societies: Meeting Minutes,
1900-1903
Series III:
Conventions and Activities
Box-folder 2:2
Annual County Convention: Programs,
1894-1929
Box-folder 2:3
Annual County Convention: Programs,
1925-1943
Box-folder 2:4
Annual County Convention: Programs,
1930-1941
Box-folder 2:5
Annual County Convention: Programs,
1942-1952
Box-folder 3:1
Annual County Convention: Programs,
1953-1967
Box-folder 3:2
Annual County Convention: Committee Report (East San Diego Presbyterian Church),
1938
Box-folder 8:1
Annual County Convention: Poster (48th Annual County Convention),
1941
Box-folder 3:3
California State Christian Endeavor Convention: Committee Records,
1939
Box-folder 3:4
California State Christian Endeavor Convention: Committee Records,
1939
Box-folder 3:5
California State Christian Endeavor Convention: Committee Records,
1939
Box-folder 4:1
California State Christian Endeavor Convention: Committee Records,
1939
Box-folder 4:2
California State Christian Endeavor Convention (wooden binder cover),
1939
Box-folder 4:3
International Convention on Christian Education,
1938
Box-folder 8:2
Scrapbook,
1944-1946
Includes:
Flyers, programs, photographs, clippings, and other documentation of Christian Endeavor activities.
Box-folder 4:4
Christian Endeavor Activities,
1948-1949
Box-folder 4:5
Miscellanea,
1937-1945 and undated
Includes:
57th anniversary program, event calendar, decals, membership/pledge cards, and a report on the Wartime Union Leaders’ Conference.
Box-folder 4:6
Pamphlets and Publication List,
1890-1931
Includes:
Informational pamphlets and handbooks to aid in starting a society, running it, and answering common questions.
Box-folder 4:7
Pamphlets,
1894-1957
Includes:
Informational pamphlets, especially focusing on committee work and recommendations for programming.
Box-folder 4:8
Pamphlets,
1899-1951
Includes:
Informational pamphlets on recommendations for meetings and song collections.
Box-folder 5:1
Book
1892
Includes:
“Bible Readings for the Home”
Box-folder 5:2
Books,
1891-1896
Includes:
“Christian Endeavor Edition of Gospel Hymns No. 6” by Ira D. Sankey; “A Decade of Christian Endeavor” by Wayland Hoyt; “Social
to Save” by Amos R. Wells; “Christian Endeavor Hymns” by Ira D. Sankey; “Our Unions” by Amos R. Wells.
Box-folder 5:3
Books,
1896-1903
Includes:
“Prayer Meeting Methods” by Amos R. Wells; “The Pledge of Endeavor” by William M. Campbell; “Into All the World” by Amos R.
Wells; “The Missionary Manual” by Amos R. Wells.
Box-folder 6:1
Books,
1911-1913
Includes:
“The Officers’ Handbook” by Amos R. Wells; “Expert Endeavor” by Amos R. Wells; “Fuel for Missionary Fires” by Belle M. Brain;
“Pledge Promptings” by Fifteen Christian Endeavor Leaders; “Service Songs” by William Shaw and John R. Clements.
Box-folder 6:2
Book,
1924
Includes:
“The Evolution of an Endeavorer, an autobiography by William Shaw”
Box-folder 6:3
Books,
1921-1925
Includes:
“Methods with Beginners” by Frances Weld Danielson; “Bible Autobiographies” by Mrs. Francis E. Clark; “Progressive Endeavor”
by Amos R. Wells.
Box-folder 7:1
Books,
1925-1931
Includes:
“Progressive Endeavor” by Amos R. Wells; “Successful C.E. Prayer-Meetings” by James DeForest Murch; “Leadership through Christian
Endeavor” by Bert H. Davis.
Box-folder 7:2
“San Diego Christian Endeavor Breezes” Newsletter,
1925-1932
Box-folder 7:3
“San Diego Christian Endeavor Breezes” Newsletter,
1932-1949
Box-folder 7:4
“San Diego Christian Endeavor Breezes” Newsletter,
1949-1952
Box-folder 7:5
“San Diego Christian Endeavor Breezes” Newsletter,
1953-1956
Box-folder 7:6
“San Diego Christian Endeavor Breezes” Newsletter,
1958-1966
