UCC Archives

What does the UCC archives do?

  • Collects, preserves, and provides access to the records of the UCC from around the time of the creating Union in 1957 onward. 
  • Acts as the office of records management for the national setting of the denomination.
  • Provides guidance for how to manage current and historical records to all settings of the denomination.

What is in the UCC archives?

The records, photographs, resources, and objects from around the time of the creating Union in 1957 onward.

A selection of a few of the vast resources include:

  • Records from the national offices
    • UCC Yearbooks
    • General Synod Minutes
    • Executive Council Minutes
    • Resources developed by the national offices
    • Documentation about the formation of the UCC
    • Records of projects and initiatives
  • Collections from national UCC organizations, committees, councils and groups
    • Council for Health and Human Services
      • UCC Historical Council
  • Personal papers of people involved in the work of the national setting of the denomination
    • Rev. Arthur Clyde’s collection of hymnals
    • Rev. Harold Wilke’s papers documenting his work in the UCC
  • Conference publications and newsletters
  • Written histories of local churches, associations, conferences, and other UCC-related ministries

Online Resources

Archival Finding Aids

Electronic versions of General Synod Minutes, The Constitution and Bylaws and New Conversations are now available at rescarta.ucc.org.

All documents are searchable by keyword, and are complete to present. 

Partnerships with other Historical Organizations

The UCC Archives works closely with other archives that hold the records of the denominations that united to form the UCC. Please visit the Historical Council page to find more information about those institutions. 

The United Church of Christ Archives welcomes researchers of all types. Due to limited staffing, the Archives is only able to spend ½ an hour on research requests.

If your requests require more in-depth research and you are unable to come to the Archives in person, we recommend you contract with a professional researcher in the area. Arrangements for research must be made directly with the researcher. The UCC Archives is not involved in, nor does the Archives have any responsibility for the work performed by the researcher. A listing of professional researchers can be located at the Ohio Historical Society Researcher List web site.

We strongly recommend scheduling an appointment for research at the Archives at least three weeks in advance so we can provide you the best assistance during your visit.

Conducting research at the UCC archives

The United Church of Christ Archives welcomes researchers of all types. Due to limited staffing, the Archives is only able to spend ½ an hour on research requests.

If your requests require more in-depth research and you are unable to come to the Archives in person, we recommend you contract with a professional researcher in the area. Arrangements for research must be made directly with the researcher. The UCC Archives is not involved in, nor does the Archives have any responsibility for the work performed by the researcher. A listing of professional researchers can be located at the Ohio Historical Society Researcher List web site.

We strongly recommend scheduling an appointment for research at the Archives at least three weeks in advance so we can provide you the best assistance during your visit.

Contact:
Edward Cade
Associate for Historical Preservation and Archivist
700 Prospect Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115
216-736-2111
cadee@ucc.org