| Dates: | 1952-2002 |
| Size: | 3 linear feet |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature, 9525 S. Halsted Street, Chicago, Illinois 60628 |
|
Collection Number: |
1996/03 |
| Provenance: | Donated by Carrie McMorris [longtime member of the church] in 1996 |
| Access: | No restrictions |
| Citation: |
When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Carter Temple C.M.E. Church, [Box #, Folder #], Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature |
| Processed by: | Beverly A. Cook, April 2021 |
Historical Note
After the end of the Civil War, the Methodist Episcopal Church acceded to the wishes of those Blacks that had supported them during the war and formed a separate organization, the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in 1870. The church’s growth spread all over the United States. It changed its name to the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CMEC) in 1954. CMCE has nine permanent Episcopal districts. Illinois is part of the Third Episcopal District.
Carter Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (C.M.E.C.) was founded in the home of Mrs. Lula Wheeler in 1921. Bishop Randall Carter (1867-1954) arranged the purchase of the original property for $21,000. Carter Temple officially opened on July 17, 1921 at 4310 S. Champlain Avenue. The church later moved in 1965 to 7841 S. Wabash, its present location. Carter Temple has had an impressive list of pastors:
Rev. JA Stout, 1921-1924
Rev. Prentice A. Bryson, 1924-1928
Rev. Dr. I.C. Nicholson, 1928-1932
Rev. John W. Jacobs, 1932-1935
Rev. T. C. Lightfoot, 1935-1940
Rev. EW Walker, 1940-1949
Rev. Shelby J. Laws, 1949-1963
Rev. Leonard L Barnes, 1963-1978
Rev. L.L. Reddick, 1978-1982
Rev. L.L. Craig, 1982-1986
Rev. Henry M Williamson, 1986-2002
Rev. Sylvester Williams, 2002-2010
Rev. Allen Page III, 2010-2014
Rev. Dr. Joseph B. Gordon, 2014-
Reverend Henry M. Williamson’s administration was important to Carter Temple in that membership and programs grew. Williamson was born in Arkansas and reared in Tennessee and Gary, Indiana. He was educated at Roosevelt High School in Gary and called to the ministry in 1967. He pastored at several churches before assuming the mantle of leadership at Carter Temple in 1986. During his years there, he initiated a weekly Bible Ministry and made community outreach part of the church’s mission. He developed the prayer ministry and more programs to encourage youths. Williamson was elected and installed as the 52nd bishop in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in 2002.
Sources
- Best, Wallace, Passionately Human, No Less Divine: Religion and Culture in Black Chicago, 1915-1952. Princeton University Press, 2005.
- Ferguson, Margaret. The History of St. Paul C.M.E. Church, Chicago, Illinois, 1907-2007 Revised. Ferguson Publication, 2007.
- Phillips, C.H. The History of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America. Arno Press, 1972.
Scope and Content
The bulk of this collection covers the tenure of Rev. Henry M. Williamson, who pastored Carter Temple from 1986 to his elevation as CMEC Bishop in 2002. He was President of Operation Push from 1991-1993 and initiated the “One Church One School” (OCOS) program in 1992. OCOS has developed and directed hundreds of church school partnerships across the nation with a mission to enhance school academic achievement.
Arrangement
There are 5 series in this collection: Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Carter Temple Church History, Carter Temple Committees, Carter Temple Programs and Other Churches.
Series 1: Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 1970-1995
This series is divided into two subseries: National Conferences and Chicago District.
Series 1: Subseries A, National Conferences, 1970-1995
CMEC outlines the national church convocations and breakdowns. It contains the Quadrennial Assembly of The Women’s Missionary Society from Atlanta, Georgia in 1991. It is arranged in alphabetical order.
Series 1: Subseries B, Chicago District, 1988-1992
The Lay Ministry and the Missionary Society started combining their activities in the 1980s. Lay Ministry is responsible for Christian stewardship while the Missionary Society is responsible for promoting the missionary activities of the General Church. This series is arranged
chronologically.
Series 2: Carter Temple CMEC History, 1971-2002
This series is divided into three subseries: Church Bulletins (Sentinel); Newsletters and Church and Pastor Anniversaries.
Series 2: Subseries A, Church Bulletins (Sentinel), 1984-2002 are arranged chronologically.
Series 2: Subseries B, Newsletters, 1987-1994 are arranged alphabetically.
Series 2: Subseries C, Church and Pastor Anniversaries (1971-2001) are arranged chronologically. It includes the 50th anniversary and the 8 year steward report that has a detailed history of the church. Rev. Williamson’s work as a teacher is visible in his weekly Bible Study reports.
Series 3: Carter Temple CMEC Committees, 1977-2003
This series has three subseries: Missionary Society, 1989-2001; Senior Usher Board, 1977-2003; and the Youth Ministry, 1979-1993. All the sub-series are arranged in chronological order.
Series 4: Carter Temple Programs, 1979-2002
This series has five subseries: Family Reunion Tea, 1985-2002; Handel’s Messiah, 1985-1990; Men’s Day, 1979-2000; Women’s Day, 1989-1999; General programs, 1976-2000. Each sub-series is arranged chronologically.
Series 4: Subseries A, Family Reunion Tea, 1985-2002
The Family Reunion tea anniversary was started by Rev. Shelby Laws in 1961. Each year had a special theme and an invited guest speaker.
Series 4: Subseries B, Handel’s Messiah, 1985-1990
The music department was led by Mrs. Dolores Mercer Chandler who had been the organist for Metropolitan Baptist Church from 1962-1981. She worked with gospel choirs all over the country including the Thompson Community Singers.
Series 4: Subseries C, Men’s Day, 1979-2000
Series 4: Subseries D, Women’s Day, 1989-1999
Series 4: Subseries E, General Programs, 1976-2000, undated
Series 5: Other Churches, 1982-2000
This series shows the relationship Carter Temple had with other churches in the Chicago area. It is arranged alphabetically.
Related Materials
Related materials at the Chicago Public Library include
- Coalition to Save the ‘Met’ Archives
- Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church Archives
- Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church Archives
- St. Edmund's Episcopal Church Archives
Container List
Series 1: Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 1970-2002, undated
Subseries A, National Conferences, 1970-1995
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | Bishop James Oglethorpe Patterson Day, 1986 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | First annual C.M.E. convocation, 1987 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Third Episcopal District convocation, 1995 |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | Southeast Missouri and Illinois annual conference, 1970 |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | Southeast Missouri and Illinois annual conference, 1971 |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 | Southeast Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin annual conference, 1989 |
| Box 1 | Folder 7 | Southeast Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin annual conference, 1992 |
| Box 1 | Folder 8 | Women’s Missionary Council quadrennial assembly, 1991 |
| Box 1 | Folder 9 | Third Episcopal District Quadrennial luncheon celebration, 2002 |
| Box 1 | Folder 10 | Ordination of Deacons and Elders for 3rd Episcopal District, undated |
Subseries B, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church: Chicago District, 1988-1992
| Box 1 | Folder 11 | Annual Laymen and Missionary banquet, 1988 |
| Box 1 | Folder 12 | Chicago District Board of Evangelism, Missions and Human Concerns, 1990 |
| Box 1 | Folder 13 | Annual Laymen and Missionary banquet, 1991 |
| Box 1 | Folder 14 | Annual Laymen and Missionary banquet, 1992, February |
| Box 1 | Folder 15 | Annual Laymen and Missionary banquet, 1992, November |
| Box 1 | Folder 16 | Chicago District Choir of the CMEC, 1993 |
Series 2: Carter Temple Church History, 1952-2002
Subseries A, Bulletins, 1984-2002
| Box 2 | Folder 1 | Carter Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME)-Sentinel, 1984-1987 |
| Box 2 | Folder 2 | Carter Temple CME-Sentinel, 1989, January-August |
| Box 2 | Folder 3 | Carter Temple CME-Sentinel, 1989, September-December |
| Box 2 | Folder 4 | Carter Temple CME-Sentinel, 1990, January-June |
| Box 2 | Folder 5 | Carter Temple CME-Sentinel, 1990, July-December |
| Box 2 | Folder 6 | Carter Temple CME-Sentinel, 1991, January-June |
| Box 2 | Folder 7 | Carter Temple CME-Sentinel, 1991, July-December |
| Box 2 | Folder 8 | Carter Temple CME-Sentinel, 1992, January-June |
| Box 2 | Folder 9 | Carter Temple CME-Sentinel, 1992, July-December |
| Box 3 | Folder 1 | Carter Temple CME-Sentinel, 1993, January-June |
| Box 3 | Folder 2 | Carter Temple CME-Sentinel, 1993, July-December |
| Box 3 | Folder 3 | Carter Temple CME-Sentinel, 1994 |
| Box 3 | Folder 4 | Carter Temple CME-Sentinel, 1995, January-June |
| Box 3 | Folder 5 | Carter Temple CME-Sentinel, 1995, July-December |
| Box 3 | Folder 6 | Carter Temple CME-Sentinel, 1999 |
| Box 3 | Folder 7 | Carter Temple CME-Sentinel, 2001 |
| Box 3 | Folder 8 | Carter Temple CME-Sentinel, 2002 |
Subseries B, Newsletters, 1987-1994
| Box 3 | Folder 9 | Abundant Life, 1987-1994 |
| Box 3 | Folder 10 | Daily, Index, 1994 |
| Box 3 | Folder 11 | Senior Happenings, 1991-1992 |
Subseries C, Church and Pastor Anniversaries, 1952-2001
| Box 3 | Folder 12 | Stokes, Mack B. Major Methodist Beliefs, 1952 |
| Box 3 | Folder 13 | Beasley, Zephyr, Your Church, 1961 |
| Box 3 | Folder 14 | Souvenir program of 50th anniversary of Carter Temple, 1971 |
| Box 3 | Folder 15 | Pastor Henry Williamson bible study, 1987-1991 |
| Box 3 | Folder 16 | Pastor Henry Williamson and family anniversary, 1989 |
| Box 3 | Folder 17 | Pastor Henry Williamson and family anniversary, 1994 |
| Box 3 | Folder 18 | Carter Temple stewardship report, circa 1994 |
| Box 3 | Folder 19 | Carter Temple Business and Services Directory, 1994-1995 |
| Box 3 | Folder 20 | Silver wedding anniversary of Pastor and Mrs. Williamson, 1998 |
| Box 3 | Folder 21 | Pastor Henry Williamson and family anniversary, 1999 |
| Box 3 | Folder 22 | Pastor Henry Williamson and family anniversary, 2000 |
| Box 3 | Folder 23 | 14th Pastoral Anniversary of Rev. Henry Williamson concert, 2000 |
| Box 3 | Folder 24 | Pastor Henry Williamson and family anniversary, 2001 |
Series 3: Carter Temple Committees, 1977-2003
Subseries A, Missionary Society, 1989-2001
| Box 4 | Folder 1 | Carter Temple’s Missionary Society annual day, 1989 |
| Box 4 | Folder 2 | Carter Temple’s Missionary Society annual day, 1994 |
| Box 4 | Folder 3 | Carter Temple’s Missionary Society annual day, 1995 |
| Box 4 | Folder 4 | Carter Temple’s Missionary Society annual day, 1998 |
| Box 4 | Folder 5 | Carter Temple’s Missionary Society notes, 1999-2001 |
Subseries B, Senior Usher Board, 1977-2003
| Box 4 | Folder 6 | Forty-first annual State Convention of the Unit Ushers League of Illinois, Inc., 1977 |
| Box 4 | Folder 7 | Carter Temple’s Senior Usher Board 44th anniversary, 1978 |
| Box 4 | Folder 8 | Carter Temple’s Senior Usher Board 55th anniversary, 1989 |
| Box 4 | Folder 9 | Carter Temple’s Senior Usher Board 57th anniversary, 1981 |
| Box 4 | Folder 10 | Carter Temple’s Senior Usher Board newsletter, 1994 |
| Box 4 | Folder 11 | Carter Temple’s Senior Usher Board annual tea, 1995 |
| Box 4 | Folder 12 | Carter Temple’s Senior Usher Board annual tea, 2000 |
| Box 4 | Folder 13 | Carter Temple’s Senior Usher Board 70th annual tea, 2003 |
Subseries C, Youth Ministry, 1979-1993
| Box 4 | Folder 14 | Carter Temple’s Youth Pageant, 1979 |
| Box 4 | Folder 15 | Carter Temple’s Youth Cotillion, 1987 |
| Box 4 | Folder 16 | Carter Temple Beautillion ’88, 1988 |
| Box 4 | Folder 17 | Carter Temple’s Rite of Passage for African American youth, 1989 |
| Box 4 | Folder 18 | Carter Temple’s Rite of Passage for African American youth, 1993 |
| Box 4 | Folder 19 | National Children’s Day, 1990 |
Series 4: Carter Temple Programs, 1979-2002
Subseries A, Family Reunion Tea, 1985-2002
| Box 4 | Folder 20 | Carter Temple Silver Anniversary, Family Reunion Tea 1985 |
| Box 4 | Folder 21 | Carter Temple 29th Family Reunion Tea anniversary, 1989 |
| Box 4 | Folder 22 | Carter Temple 30th Family Reunion Tea anniversary, 1990 |
| Box 4 | Folder 23 | Carter Temple 31st Family Reunion Tea anniversary, 1991 |
| Box 4 | Folder 24 | Carter Temple 32nd Family Reunion Tea anniversary, 1992 (2) |
| Box 4 | Folder 25 | Carter Temple 33rd Family Reunion Tea anniversary, 1993 |
| Box 4 | Folder 26 | Carter Temple 34th Family Reunion Tea anniversary, 1994 |
| Box 4 | Folder 27 | Carter Temple 35th Family Reunion Tea anniversary, 1995 |
| Box 4 | Folder 28 | Carter Temple 41st Family Reunion Tea anniversary, 2001 |
| Box 4 | Folder 29 | Carter Temple 42nd Family Reunion Tea anniversary, 2002 |
Subseries B, Handel’s Messiah, 1985-1990
| Box 4 | Folder 30 | Sanctuary Choir’s Handel’s Messiah, 1985 |
| Box 4 | Folder 31 | Abundant Life and Friends in Handel’s Messiah, 1986 |
| Box 4 | Folder 32 | Abundant Life and Friends in Handel’s Messiah, 1989 |
| Box 4 | Folder 33 | Abundant Life and Friends in Handel’s Messiah, 1990 |
Subseries C, Men’s Day, 1979-2000
| Box 5 | Folder 1 | Carter Temple’s annual Men’s Day, 1979 |
| Box 5 | Folder 2 | Carter Temple’s annual Men’s Day, 1988 |
| Box 5 | Folder 3 | Carter Temple’s annual Men’s Day, 1992 |
| Box 5 | Folder 4 | Carter Temple’s annual Men’s Day, 1993 |
| Box 5 | Folder 5 | Carter Temple’s annual Men’s Day, 1994 |
| Box 5 | Folder 6 | Carter Temple’s annual Men’s Day, 1995 |
| Box 5 | Folder 7 | Carter Temple’s annual Men’s Day, 1998 |
| Box 5 | Folder 8 | Carter Temple’s annual Men’s Day, 2000 |
Subseries D, Women’s Day, 1989-1999
| Box 5 | Folder 9 | Carter Temple’s annual Women’s Day, 1989 |
| Box 5 | Folder 10 | Carter Temple’s annual Women’s Day, 1992 |
| Box 5 | Folder 11 | Carter Temple’s annual Women’s Day, 1993 |
| Box 5 | Folder 12 | Carter Temple’s annual Women’s Day, 1994 |
| Box 5 | Folder 13 | Carter Temple’s annual Women’s Day, 1995 |
| Box 5 | Folder 14 | Carter Temple’s annual Women’s Day, 1999 |
Subseries E, General Programs, 1976-2000, undated
| Box 5 | Folder 15 | Altgeld Gardens Oldtimers Reunion, 1976 |
| Box 5 | Folder 16 | Carter Temple annual Christmas program, 1981 |
| Box 5 | Folder 17 | Lane College Concert Choir, 1986 |
| Box 5 | Folder 18 | Wedding ceremony of Uzee Payton and Robin Ross, 1988 |
| Box 5 | Folder 19 | Mississippi Club, 1989 |
| Box 5 | Folder 20 | J. Claude Allen Youth choir annual choir, 1989-1990 |
| Box 5 | Folder 21 | S.J. Laws Clubs 41st annual tea, 1989 |
| Box 5 | Folder 22 | Board of Education graduation class, 1989-1995 |
| Box 5 | Folder 23 | Birthday festival and conference claims drive, 1991 |
| Box 5 | Folder 24 | Twentieth year anniversary of Rev. Clay Evans, 1991 |
| Box 5 | Folder 25 | Chandler Christian Chorale scholarship benefit, 1992 |
| Box 5 | Folder 26 | Chandler Christian Chorale scholarship presentation, 1994 |
| Box 5 | Folder 27 | Discipleship, stewardship, leadership and fellowship, 1994 |
| Box 5 | Folder 28 | Miles College Gospel Choir, 1994 |
| Box 5 | Folder 29 | Carter Temple birthday festival and conference claim, 1995 |
| Box 5 | Folder 30 | New Members recognition/commencement service, 1995 |
| Box 5 | Folder 31 | Dorothy and Lemuel Prescott Johnson Sr. 50th wedding anniversary, 1998 |
| Box 5 | Folder 32 | Commission on Evangelism and the early morning prayer ministry, 2000 |
| Box 5 | Folder 33 | One Church, One School, undated |
| Box 5 | Folder 34 | Carter Temple programs, undated |
Series 5: Other Churches, 1982-2000
| Box 5 | Folder 35 | Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Morgan Park, 1989 |
| Box 5 | Folder 36 | Bethany Baptist Church of Christ, 1995 |
| Box 5 | Folder 37 | Bethel AME Usher Board’s 77th anniversary, 1989 |
| Box 5 | Folder 38 | First Immanuel Lutheran Church obituary of Tia Evison, 1988 |
| Box 5 | Folder 39 | Gammon United Methodist Church, 1989 |
| Box 5 | Folder 40 | Israel C.M.E. Church, 1995 |
| Box 5 | Folder 41 | King of Glory Tabernacle Church 50th anniversary, 1989 |
| Box 5 | Folder 42 | Light of the World Christian Church, 1988 |
| Box 5 | Folder 43 | Mt. Zion Baptist Church celebrates Reverend Eleanor Miller’s 9th anniversary, 1995 |
| Box 5 | Folder 44 | Ruby Memorial AME Church, 1995 |
| Box 5 | Folder 45 | St. Matthew CME, 2000 |
| Box 5 | Folder 46 | Vernon Park Church of God 27th anniversary, 1982 |
| Box 5 | Folder 47 | Walls Memorial CME Church, 1988 |
