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

box-folder 1 : 2

Bylaws 1977-1981

 

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
box-folder 1 : 6

General Council 1994

 

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 : 8

Campus Ministry 1977

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 1 : 17

Pensions 1983

box-folder 5 : 3 (Oversize)

Institutional/Prison Ministry 1974-1977

box-folder 1 : 18

Publications 1974-1997

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)

Excel Movement 1980-1984

box-folder 1 : 20

Samaritan Extended Studies 1983-1984

box-folder 1 : 21

Special Ministries 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.
box-folder 1 : 22

Alcoholics Together n.d.

box-folder 1 : 23

Bible study n.d.

 

Brochures 1969-1994

Physical Description: 2 folders.
box-folder 5 : 8 (Oversize)

General 1972-1994

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 1 : 24

1970

box-folder 1 : 25

1971

box-folder 1 : 26

1973

box-folder 1 : 27

1974

box-folder 1 : 28

1975

box-folder 5 : 10 (Oversize)

1976

box-folder 1 : 29

1977

box-folder 1 : 30

1978

box-folder 1 : 31

1980

box-folder 1 : 32

1981

box-folder 1 : 33

1982

box-folder 1 : 34

1983

box-folder 1 : 35

1984

box-folder 1 : 36

1985

box-folder 1 : 37

1986

box-folder 5 : 11 (Oversize)

1987

box-folder 1 : 38

1988

box-folder 1 : 39

1991

box-folder 1 : 40

1994

box-folder 1 : 41

1995

box-folder 1 : 42

1997

box-folder 1 : 43

1999

box-folder 1 : 44

2003

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 : 47

1974, 1976

box-folder 1 : 48

1980

box-folder 1 : 49

1981

box-folder 1 : 50

1982

box-folder 1 : 51

1983

box-folder 1 : 52

Southern California 1980

box-folder 1 : 53

Forms & Stationery n.d.

box-folder 1 : 54

Holy Unions 1970-1987

box-folder 1 : 55

Internal Revenue Service 1976

box-folder 1 : 56

Liturgical Materials n.d.

box-folder 5 : 12 (Oversize)

Ministers 1974-1981

box-folder 1 : 56a

Music circa 1991

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 : 58

Pamphlets 1976-1985

box-folder 1 : 59

Perry, Troy 1970-1988

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 1 : 61

Australasia 1975

box-folder 1 : 62

Great Lakes n.d.

box-folder 1 : 63

Mid-Atlantic 1988

box-folder 5 : 17 (Oversize)

Northeast 1973-1978

General note

File created by: Chuck David
box-folder 1 : 64

Northwest 1981

box-folder 1 : 65

South-Central 1974

box-folder 5 : 18 (Oversize)

Southeast 1974, 1980

 

Southwest 1974-1985

Physical Description: 10 folders.
box-folder 1 : 66

1974

box-folder 5 : 19 (Oversize)

1975

box-folder 1 : 67

1976

box-folder 1 : 68

1979

box-folder 1 : 69

1980

box-folder 1 : 70

1981

box-folder 1 : 71

1983

box-folder 1 : 72

1985

box-folder 1 : 73

n.d.

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 : 7

Adelaide, Australia 1975

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 2 : 14

Birmingham, Alabama 1985

box-folder 2 : 15

Boise, Idaho n.d.

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 : 17

Cleveland, Ohio n.d.

box-folder 2 : 18

Dallas, Texas 1974-1986

box-folder 2 : 19

De Colores (Eagle Rock, California) 1981-1984

box-folder 2 : 20

Decatur, Georgia n.d.

box-folder 2 : 21

Denver, Colorado 1971

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 : 23

Fort Worth, Texas n.d.

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 : 29

Houston, Texas 1980-1987

box-folder 2 : 30

Johnson County (Shawnee, Kansas) 1994-1995

box-folder 2 : 31

Kansas City, Kansas 1979

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)

General Papers 1970-1997

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 : 35

Miami, Florida 1972-1978

box-folder 2 : 36

Minneapolis, Minnesota 1983

box-folder 2 : 37

Modesto, California n.d.

box-folder 5 : 34 (Oversize)

Montreal, Canada n.d.

box-folder 2 : 38

Nashville, Tennessee 1978-1981

box-folder 2 : 39

Nebraska (Omaha) 1974

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 : 43

Newark, Delaware 1980

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 2 : 46

Phoenix, Arizona 1970

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)

Pomona Valley 1977-1989

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 2 : 51

St. Louis, Missouri 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 : 55

Seattle, Washington 1975

box-folder 2 : 56

Syracuse, New York 1977-1978

box-folder 2 : 57

Tampa, Florida 1974-1978

box-folder 6 : 5 (Oversize)

Toronto, Canada n.d.

box-folder 2 : 58

Trinity MCC (San Bernardino / Pomona / Riverside, California) 1977-1980

box-folder 2 : 59

Tucson, Arizona n.d.

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)

Washington, DC 1970-1993

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 2 : 66

[West Bay MCC] 1975

box-folder 2 : 67

[West Bay MCC] 1976-1977

box-folder 2 : 68

[West Bay MCC] 1978-1979

box-folder 2 : 69

[West Bay MCC] 1980

box-folder 6 : 8 (Oversize)

1981

box-folder 2 : 70-71

Binder 1982

Physical Description: 2 folders.
box-folder 2 : 72

1982

box-folder 2 : 73

1983

 

Financial Records 1973-1983

Physical Description: 22 folders.
box-folder 2 : 74

[West Bay MCC] 1977-1980

box-folder 6 : 9 (Oversize)

[West Bay MCC] 1977

box-folder 2 : 75

[West Bay MCC] 1978

box-folder 6 : 10 (Oversize)

[West Bay MCC] 1979

box-folder 6 : 11 (Oversize)

[West Bay MCC] 1980

box-folder 6 : 12 (Oversize)

1981

box-folder 2 : 76

1982

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 : 77

Taxes 1977-1982

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 2 : 80

[West Bay MCC] 1974-1980

box-folder 2 : 81

1981-1982

box-folder 6 : 13 (Oversize)

1983

box-folder 6 : 14 (Oversize)

Church Clerk n.d.

box-folder 2 : 82

Church Development n.d.

box-folder 2 : 83

Church Inventory 1982

box-folder 2 : 84

Congregational Meetings 1976-1977, 1979, 1981

box-folder 2 : 85

Correspondence 1974-1983

box-folder 2 : 86

Fellowship & District Tithes 1977-1983

box-folder 2 : 87

[West Bay MCC] General Service Materials 1976-1977

box-folder 2 : 88

Holy Unions n.d.

 

Membership 1979-1983

Physical Description: 3 folders.
box-folder 2 : 89

Letters of Transfer & Membership Certificates 1979-1980, 1983

box-folder 2 : 90

Membership Class n.d.

box-folder 2 : 91

Membership Lists 1981-1983

box-folder 2 : 92

Miscellaneous n.d.

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 : 3

Brend, Carol 1981

box-folder 3 : 4

Dearth, Bill (Pastor) 1982-1983

box-folder 3 : 5

Malloy, William 1981

box-folder 3 : 6

May, David 1981

box-folder 3 : 7

McCormick, Jeri 1980-1981

box-folder 3 : 8

Montague, Ann 1981

box-folder 3 : 9

Pennington, Sylvia 1981

box-folder 3 : 10

Petition to form MCC Mission in Venice 1972

 

Pulpit Committee 1977-1983

Physical Description: 2 folders.
box-folder 3 : 11

Papers 1977-1983

box-folder 3 : 12

Questionnaires n.d.

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 : 14

1981

box-folder 3 : 15

1983

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 3 : 19

1969-1970

box-folder 3 : 20

1969

box-folder 6 : 16 (Oversize)

1970

box-folder 3 : 21

1971-1973

box-folder 3 : 22

1971

box-folder 6 : 17 (Oversize)

1972

box-folder 3 : 23

1973-1975

box-folder 6 : 18 (Oversize)

1973-1974

box-folder 6 : 19 (Oversize)

1973

box-folder 3 : 24

1974-1987

box-folder 3 : 25

1974-1975

box-folder 6 : 20 (Oversize)

1974

box-folder 3 : 26

1975-1977

box-folder 6 : 21 (Oversize)

1975

box-folder 6 : 22 (Oversize)

1976

box-folder 3 : 27

1977-1978

box-folder 3 : 28

1977

box-folder 3 : 29

1978-1985

box-folder 3 : 30

1978

box-folder 3 : 31

1979

box-folder 3 : 32

1980

box-folder 3 : 33

1981

box-folder 3 : 34

1982

box-folder 3 : 35

1983

box-folder 3 : 36

1984

box-folder 3 : 37

1985

box-folder 3 : 38

1986-1989

box-folder 3 : 39

1991-1994

box-folder 6 : 23 (Oversize)

n.d.

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 3 : 44

1971-1987

box-folder 9 : 1 (Oversize)

1989

box-folder 3 : 45

Holy Unions 1975-1979

box-folder 3 : 46

Kepner, Jim. Notes 1970-1975

box-folder 3 : 47

Lenten Series 1976

box-folder 3 : 48

Letterhead & Envelopes n.d.

 

Orders of Worship 1969-1987

Physical Description: 18 folders.
box-folder 3 : 49

1969

box-folder 3 : 50

1970

box-folder 3 : 51

1971

box-folder 3 : 52

1972

box-folder 3 : 53

1973

box-folder 3 : 54

1974

box-folder 3 : 55

January-June, 1975

box-folder 3 : 56

July-December, 1975

box-folder 3 : 57

January-June, 1976

box-folder 3 : 58

July-December, 1976

box-folder 3 : 59

1977

box-folder 4 : 1

1978

box-folder 4 : 2

1979

box-folder 4 : 3

1980

box-folder 4 : 4

1981

box-folder 4 : 5

1982

box-folder 4 : 6

1983-1987

box-folder 4 : 7

n.d.

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)

1974

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
box-folder 4 : 11

1979

box-folder 4 : 12

1984-1988

box-folder 4 : 13

2004

 

Orders of Service (from 1976, Worship) 1974-1979

Physical Description: 6 folders.
box-folder 4 : 14

1974

box-folder 4 : 15

1975

box-folder 7 : 4 (Oversize)

1976

box-folder 7 : 5 (Oversize)

1977

box-folder 4 : 16

1978

box-folder 4 : 17

1979

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 4 : 21

1970

box-folder 4 : 22

1972

box-folder 4 : 23

1973

box-folder 4 : 24

1974

box-folder 4 : 25

1975

box-folder 7 : 7 (Oversize)

1976

box-folder 7 : 8 (Oversize)

1977

box-folder 4 : 26

1978-1979

box-folder 4 : 27

1980

box-folder 4 : 28

1981-1982

box-folder 7 : 9 (Oversize)

1983

box-folder 4 : 29

1984-1989

box-folder 4 : 30

1990-1994

box-folder 4 : 31

n.d.

box-folder 4 : 32

Faith, Fellowship & Order / Toward a Theology of Human Sexuality n.d.

box-folder 4 : 33

Freedom Center 1987

box-folder 4 : 34

Gayfaire 1978

box-folder 4 : 35

Graphics (decals) n.d.

box-folder 4 : 36

Kuell, Charles 1977

box-folder 4 : 37

Leadership Rap Material 1981

box-folder 7 : 10 (Oversize)

Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Religious Coalition 1980-1983

box-folder 4 : 38

Membership 1976-1980

box-folder 4 : 39

Newspaper Clippings 1998-1999

 

Orders of Worship 1973

Physical Description: 8 folders.
box-folder 4 : 40

1973

box-folder 4 : 41

1975

box-folder 4 : 42

1976

box-folder 4 : 43

1978

box-folder 4 : 44

1979

box-folder 4 : 45

1980

box-folder 4 : 46

1981

box-folder 4 : 47

1982-1987

 

Social Action n.d.

Physical Description: 6 folders.
box-folder 4 : 48

n.d.

box-folder 4 : 49

1975

box-folder 4 : 50

1976

box-folder 4 : 51

1977

box-folder 7 : 11 (Oversize)

1979

box-folder 7 : 12 (Oversize)

1983

box-folder 4 : 52

Women 1974-1984

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.