Congregational Library & Archives

As war began 250 years ago, Massachusetts’ Congregational meetinghouses played host to a common debate: was the Revolution a morally justified, sacred rebellion? Visit our new exhibition to consider this and other revolutionary ideas about liberty and loyalty.

The West Medway Community Church Records include this lock of hair, possibly from Dr. Jacob Ida or Rev. Jacob Ida, attached to a poem, which reads (in part): So take this lock, I tender thee It will survive this poetry and by it you will remember he That is here no more

Samuel Ives Curtiss was an Old Testament scholar at Chicago Theological Seminary from 1874-1904. We are thankful to Ken Sawyer of McCormick Theological Seminary, who recently donated these travel journals documenting Curtiss’ Middle East travels in 1904, months before his death.

This month, we’ve welcomed Anne Woodrum to 14 Beacon as our new Historic Connecticut Conference Project Archivist. She comes to us with a range of archival experience from work in libraries, universities, and nonprofits, and we’re so pleased to have her on the CLA team!

We had a fantastic time at 14 Beacon last Friday with this year's Archives Edit workshop participants. Thanks to everyone who spent the day learning more about archiving church records with Zachary and Billy!

We are thrilled to add five new members to our Board of Directors this month. Learn more about the wealth of experience and love for religious history these individuals bring to the CLA at congregationallibrary.org/blog/cla-welco…

Today is your last chance to register for this Friday’s Archives Edit workshop at 14 Beacon with the CLA’s archivists, Zachary and Billy. There are only a few tickets left, so learn more and register soon at congregationallibrary.org/events/archive…

Last week we were pleased to welcome Davida Foy Crabtree, Barbara Gerlach, and Sandy Sorensen (pictured L to R with CLA Archivist Billy McCarthy) to 14 Beacon to tour our "Sacred Rebellion" exhibition and view materials they have donated to the CLA's collection.

At @UnitedChurch Synod this weekend? Drop by the UCC Historical Council Booth (#1131) for one of these short talks and learn more about the 400+ year Congregational story. (And don’t forget to grab your CLA swag while you’re there!)

We’re looking forward to seeing many of you at the @UnitedChurch ’s General Synod in Kansas City, MO this weekend. Drop by to say hello to Kyle Roberts at the UCC Historical Council Booth (#1131) Friday- Sunday and take home some of our new stickers and bookmarks!

Congregational church records hold a wealth of information for anyone fascinated by the past. Learn how to search & interpret them in a workshop with Dr. Tricia Peone at 14 Beacon this Friday. Registration closes today, so learn more and save your seat at congregationallibrary.org/events/voices-…

May your 4th be filled with fireworks, fun, and a few Fourth of July sermons! (We have a whole box of them if you're looking for one.)

You have two weeks left to register for this summer’s in-person church archives workshop with the CLA’s archivists on July 18th, and only a few spots remain. Learn more and save your seat today at congregationallibrary.org/events/archive…

Congratulations to Dr. Gloria McCahon Whiting on winning the 2025 Winthrop Prize from the Colonial Society of Massachusetts. Learn more about her award-winning book “Belonging” in the video from her March 2025 Congregational Library & Archives book talk at youtu.be/5QmNMdFF-iw

Our “Researching the Revolution” online class begins next week, and today is your last chance to register for one of the few remaining seats. Learn more and sign up today via our website at congregationallibrary.org/events/researc…