Network of Religious Communities Collection 1857-present, 1863 - 2020, bulk 1920 - 2020

Summary

Creator:
Network of Religious Communities
Abstract:
The Network of Religious Communities (NRC) is a consolidation and expansion of the former Buffalo Area Council of Churches (1857) and the Buffalo Area Metropolitan Ministries (1975). Members include denominations/faith coordinating bodies, religious organizations and congregations serving Western New York and the Niagara Peninsula of Southern Ontario, Canada. Individuals supportive of the mission and purpose of the Network may become an auxiliary members. The archival collection of the NRC begins in 1863 and includes materials such as Board Minutes, Annual Reports, Annual Awards programs, Special Projects, Newsletters, publications, and other materials that document the NRC and its predecessor organizations, Erie County Sabbath School Association/Erie County Sunday School Association, Buffalo Federation of Churches, Buffalo Council of Churches, the Inter Church Council of Church Women, Council of Churches of Buffalo & Erie County, Buffalo Area Council of Churches, and the Buffalo Area Metropolitan Ministries. The collection also contains ephemeral materials such as nationally produced record albums, locally produced television programs, photographs and other various items.
Extent:
150 cubic feet
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains by-laws and constitutions, directories, minutes from the Annual Meeting, monthly Board of Governors, Board of Directors, Board of Trustees, Executive Committees meetings, additional committee reports (e.g. Religious Education, Social Services) and miscellaneous information (e.g. printing samples) beginning with the establishment of the Sabbath School Association in the Buffalo NY area in 1857 (although the collection doesn't start until 1863). Materials include handwritten journals, bound books, locally produced VHS and DVDs, and file folders with information from the predecessor organizations of the Network of Religious Communities (NRC). Erie County Sabbath School Association (1857-1863), Erie County Sunday School Association (1863- 1872), Buffalo Federation of Churches (1913-1930), The Inter Church Missionary Union (Related to Church Women) (1911-1930), Buffalo Council of Churches (1923-1930) Council of Churches of Buffalo and Erie County (1930-1971) Buffalo Area Council of Churches (1971 -1989) Buffalo Area Metropolitan Ministry (1975-1989), Network of Religious Communities (1989-current time). Please refer to the inventory for more specific information.

Biographical / historical:

The Network of Religious Communities (NRC) is a consolidation and expansion of the former Buffalo Area Council of Churches (1857) and the Buffalo Area Metropolitan Ministries (1975).

The archival collection of the NRC includes materials such as Board Minutes, Annual Reports, Annual Awards programs, Special Projects, Newsletters, publications, media and other materials that document the NRC and its predecessor organizations, Erie County Sabbath School Association/Erie County Sunday School Association, Buffalo Federation of Churches, Buffalo Council of Churches, the Inter Church Council of Church Women, Council of Churches of Buffalo & Erie County, Buffalo Area Council of Churches, and the Buffalo Area Metropolitan Ministries.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Researchers are able to access selected digitized materials on New York Heritage website (www.nyheritage.org)

The media collection will be described in a separate finding aid here on EAD).

Please contact the organization for further details about the physical collection.

Terms of access:

Some items in the collection are under copyright. Educational use permitted. Please credit: Network of Religious Communities Archives (http://www.religiousnet.org/)

Location of this collection:
1272 Delaware Ave
Buffalo, NY 14209, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
716-882-4793