Bordoville [Enosburgh], Vermont Church Records

Content Description

The church record book for each church was where the church clerk kept the membership record and the minutes of the church board meeting. Often, other information was also kept there. In addition to the church record book, churches kept record books for finances, for the Sabbath school, and for other groups or functions, such as the Tract and Missionary Society. This collection includes the official church record books, and date from the founding of the church in 1861 to 1950. The books contain a list of members--when added, and when taken "off the books." They also contain the minutes of church board meetings. Another book is the Society Record book. This book contains the minutes of all meetings of the society, that apparently held ownership of the land in the early days of the church. This record exists for the years 1865 to 1949. Systematic Benevolence (S.B.) was the equivalent of the current Adventist practice of tithing. A record of who committed a certain amount of “S.B.” and when they paid it is recorded in one book. There is also a cash account book. Besides the S.B. record, there are books from the church treasurer in the 20th century as well as receipts and other financial records. The Sabbath school was a vital part of the church. It met typically before the worship service on Sabbath. Twenty Sabbath School Record and Register books record the minutes of the weekly meetings, and provide attendance and financial statistics. The Tract and Missionary (T and M) Society was responsible for literature distribution. Members would distribute literature and attempt to secure subscriptions to denominational publications. Two books record the financial aspects of these endeavors. One book records the minutes and other records of the T and M Society. Each church viewed their local area as a mission field to be evangelized for Christ. Four Church Missionary Secretary record books record the extent and results of that effort. There are several other record books or other types of records from Bordoville Church. Originally included in this collection was a church record book from the Richford, Vermont, Church for the years 1916 to 1952. In 1952 this church voted to disband with a number of its members joining the Bordoville Church. After disbanding, the last church record book for this church was apparently kept at the Bordoville Church. That record book was removed from this collection and is kept separately at the Center for Adventist Research.

Acquisition Type

Gift

Provenance

This collection was donated to the Adventist Heritage Center by the Bordoville, Vermont, Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1991. Andrews University history professor, Brian Strayer, was invited to speak at the church in the spring of 1991. At that time church members showed him the church records stored in a cupboard near the wood burning stove. Dr. Strayer suggested these records ought to be preserved in a safer location, and suggested the Andrews University Center for Adventist Research. The head elder arranged for the transfer of the records.

Restrictions Apply

Yes

Use Restrictions

All users of this collection will be required to complete the “Application to Use Unpublished Records,” and to observe the regulations specified in the “Patron Agreement” and “Researcher’s Code of Conduct.” All records in this collection are open and available for research. Citation for this collection: Box ___, folder ____, Bordoville [Enosburgh] ,Vermont Church Records (collection 175), Center for Adventist Research, James White Library, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan.