Christian Fellowship Church Collection

Dates: 1927-1990
Size: 1.5 linear feet in 2 boxes, includes 20 photographs
Repository: Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection, 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625
Collection Number: nnhc.cfc
Immediate Source of Acquisition: Donated by Mark Dawson on behalf of the Christian Fellowship Evangelical Free Church in October 1990.
Conditions Governing Access: Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use: Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection.
Preferred citation: When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Christian Fellowship Church Collection, [Box #, Folder #], Northside Neighborhood History Collection, Chicago Public Library.
Finding Aid Author: Processed by Becky Haglund Tousey, 1990. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Allyson Smally, 2021.

Abstract

Conrad and Martha Wendtland founded the Christian Fellowship Church in their home in 1926. The activities of the church are documented in minutes from committee meetings, financial and membership ledgers, and photographs.

Biographical/Historical

In 1926, a group of German immigrants gathered in the home of Conrad and Martha Wendtland to study the Bible and pray. They took out an ad in a local German newspaper to attract newcomers to the group. Carl Ickes, a Christian businessman who came to America in 1896 and had studied under the second president of the Moody Bible Institute, advised the group to purchase a house at 1938 West Waveland Avenue, and they did so. They renovated the first floor for worship and study, drew up a constitution, and held a dedication service in 1930. They were officially called "Christian Fellowship."

They had no full time pastor, but Liberty Corner Mission sent a deaconess, Sister Anna, to help them. She led meetings, trained lay people, and started the Tract Mission Society. Through her efforts the church continued to grow within the German community. In 1950 they moved to 3425 N. Damen Avenue, and in the 1950s they began holding services in both English and German. In 1980 the Christian Fellowship joined with the Evangelical Free Church of America and became Christian Fellowship Evangelical Free Church.

Scope and Contents

This small collection contains membership, financial, program, and business information for the Christian Fellowship Church. It also includes two historical sketches and photographs. The manuscript material, with the exception of the historical sketches, is mostly handwritten in German. The photographs depict Sunday school classes and gatherings of adults and young people, including a youth conference, anniversary dinner, and guitar choir.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in two series:

Series 1: General Historical Files, 1928-1990

Series 2: Photographs, 1927-1951

Subject Headings

  • German Americans -- History.
  • Church records and registers.

Collection Inventory

Series 1: General Historical Files, 1928-1990

Scope and Contents

Contains financial and membership ledgers, minutes of business meetings, and a small amount of additional material.

Arrangement

Alphabetically.

Box 1 Folder 1 Baptismal certificate, 1928
Box 1 Folder 2 Financial ledger, income and expenses, 1945-1966
Box 1 Folder 3 Financial ledger, income, 1948-1971
Box 1 Folder 4 Financial ledger, income and expenses, 1951-1971
Box 1 Folder 5 Historical sketches, 1990, undated
Box 1 Folder 6 Membership ledger, 1931-1939
Box 1 Folder 7 Minutes, business meeting, 1929-1930
Box 1 Folder 8 Minutes, business meeting, 1931-1952
Box 2 Folder 1 Minutes, business meeting, 1953-1969
Box 2 Folder 2 Programs and announcements, 1929-1990, undated

Series 2: Photographs, 1927-1951

Scope and Contents

The photographs depict Sunday school classes and gatherings of adults and young people, including a youth conference, anniversary dinner, and guitar choir.

Arrangement

Chronological, with undated material at the end.

Photograph 1.8 Secretary of Christian Endeavor, visiting from Germany, 1927
Photograph 1.17 Visit by the Secretary of the German Christian Endeavor from Karlsruhe - group photograph, 1927
Photograph 1.20 Adults pose with Christmas trees at St. Paul's Church, 1929
Photograph 1.19 Picnic at Schiller Park Woods, 1930
Photograph 1.7 First Sunday School class, outside of Ickes home, circa 1930
Photograph 1.14 Youth conference group photograph, 1931
Photograph 1.15 Youth conference cooking staff, 1931
Photograph 1.2 Sunday School group picture, circa 1932
Photograph 1.1 Sunday School group picture, circa 1935
Photograph 1.3 Sunday School group picture, with sign in German in background, 1937
Photograph 1.6 Sunday School group picture, circa 1940
Photograph 1.9 Conrad Wendlandt, circa 1940
Photograph 1.4 Sunday School group picture, sign in German in foreground, 1946
Photograph 1.5 Sunday School group picture, 1949
Photograph 1.18 Group of young people in the snow, circa 1950
Photograph 1.12 Conrad and Martha Wendlandt’s 25th wedding anniversary, group seated at a table, 1951
Photograph 1.13 Conrad & Martha Wendlandt’s 25th wedding anniversary, group seated at a table, 1951
Photograph 1.16 Guitar choir marching in the street, undated
Photograph 1.10 Two unidentified people, undated [image blurry]
Photograph 1.11 Two unidentified people, undated [image blurry]
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