Houston and Cora Bowman Papers

Dates: circa 1961-2008
Size: .5 linear foot in 1 box
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:

 2009/03
Immediate source of acquisition: Donated by Mark Bowman in August 2009
Conditions governing use: Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection
Conditions governing access: Materials are open without restrictions
Citation:

When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is:

Houston and Cora Bowman Papers, [Box #, Folder #], Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature
Finding aid author: Elizabeth Loch, Archival Specialist, October 2021

Abstract

Houston and Cora Bowman were founding members of Trinity United Church of Christ, a large and influential church on Chicago’s South Side. Their papers include the early history of Trinity, church newsletters, event programs and organizational records.

Biographical/Historical

Houston and Cora Bowman were both born in the southern United States and moved to Chicago during the period known as the Great Migration. Both were active members of Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ.

Trinity United Church of Christ was founded in December 1961 with a membership of twelve Black families. The church followed the beliefs of the United Church of Christ Congregation with a strong commitment to justice and equality. Members fundraised to build their first church at 532 W. 95th Street in 1966. In the 1970s, Trinity United Church of Christ adopted the motto “Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian.” Membership skyrocketed between the 1970s and 1990s, creating the need for a larger meeting space. In December 1994, the congregation moved to a new worship center at 400 W. 95th Street.

Houston Bowman passed away on August 16, 1995. Cora Davis Bowman died in 2002.

Sources:

Scope and Contents

This collection partially documents the history of Trinity United Church of Christ from 1962 to 1998. Of special note is the church’s 1962 constitution and proposed changes. The majority of this collection consists of photocopies of original manuscripts held by Houston and Cora Bowman.

Arrangement

Materials are arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Related Collections

Related collections at the Chicago Public Library include:

Collection Inventory

Box 1 Folder 1 Church budget/financials, reports, and meeting minutes 1962-1989
Box 1 Folder 2 Church directories and membership lists 1962-1986, undated
Box 1 Folder 3 Church events/service programs 1962-1998, undated
Box 1 Folder 4 Constitution of Trinity United Church of Christ and proposed changes 1962, undated
Box 1 Folder 5 Correspondence between the Bowmans [Houston and Cora] and Trinity United Church] 1962, 1976, 1984, 1994
Box 1 Folder 6 “Gathered Churches – News from the Local Scene,” Illinois Conference News [includes images of Trinity United Church of Christ pastors 1963 February
Box 1 Folder 7 Men’s Fellowship meeting minutes and documents 1983-1988
Box 1 Folder 8 Northeast Association [of the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ] by-laws undated
Box 1 Folder 9 Preservation of the Black Religious Heritage Project, instructions and guidelines undated
Box 1 Folder 10 “Ten Talks on Paster Wright’s Ten-Point Program for the 80’s” 1986 March
Box 1 Folder 11 Trinity Trumpet church newsletters 1980, 1995, 1997
Box 1 Folder 12 Trinity Trumpet newspapers [partial editions, pages missing] 1986, 1989, 1994
Box 1 Folder 13 Trinity United Church of Christ monthly outline for Chicago Congregational Christian Association circa 1961
Box 1 Folder 14 Women’s Guild of Trinity United Church of Christ by-laws 1992
Box 1 Folder 15 “Your Membership in a Congregational Christian Church” by Robert C. Dodds undated
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