Central United Methodist Church (Milwaukee, Wis.).

ABSTRACT: Records of a Milwaukee Methodist church formed in the 1969 from two urban Methodist congregations: the First Methodist Church which dated to 1836 and the Wesley Methodist Church which was formed in 1883. Records of First Methodist date to 1844 and include sacramental records (1892-1933), minutes of the board (some available only on microfilm), financial records, committee files, records of the Milwaukee Missionary Society, information on various remodeling efforts, and miscellaneous historical materials. Notable are extensive files of church bulletins (1900-1973), and microfilmed sermons of Ensworth Reisner (1943-1973). For Wesley Methodist there are sacramental records (1883-1922), collected historical materials, and some ministerial subject files from the 1960s.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

SCOPE AND CONTENT: The records of the Central United Methodist Church document the two congregations which merged in 1969, although there is little concerning the united church itself. Included are minutes, sacramental records, financial records, committee reports and records, sermons, bulletins, published historical materials and photographs, and some ministerial correspondence and subject files. The majority of the files concern First Methodist, the older congregation, and a number of these files are particularly notable because of their rarity or completeness when compared with the records of other churches held by the Archives. Among these are long runs of administrative minutes, financial records, bulletins, and sermons. The records of the Wesley Church, although much less complete, do include basic sacramental records.

The First Methodist Church historical files include published histories, anniversary booklets, and commemorative materials such as George W. Young and Rees Powell's Historical Review of Grand Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, 1836-1916 (1916), John G. Gregory and Rees Powell's Century Survey: First Methodist Episcopal Church, Milwaukee, 1836-1936 (1936), and A. W. Kellogg's A Brief Historical Sketch of...Grand Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church (1904). Also included are Powell's correspondence and notes collected in the preparation of these works, pages from a historical scrapbook pertaining to concerts held in the church building before the turn of the century (donated by Powell), and some miscellaneous historical clippings.

While the First Methodist minutes are not complete, they document some aspects of official congregation proceedings as early as 1853. This section is, without doubt, the single most important source on the history of the congregation. Also among these early records are pastor's summary reports to the Quarterly Conference. Beginning in the 1920s the definition of minutes was expanded so that the records include reports, correspondence, and some financial records as well as official proceedings. The minutes are supplemented by microfilmed records of special meetings of the board (Milwaukee Micro 3) loaned for filming by Albert B. Houghton.

Sacramental records, which are recorded in specially printed volumes, document only the middle period of the church's history (1892-1933). Included are lists of members and probationers, baptisms, and marriages. Related membership records also filed here include a register of people joining First Methodist, (1954-1964) and microfilmed correspondence (1928-1944), which indicates the churches which departed members joined.

The financial records for this church date to 1844, although documents that can be considered true ledgers actually begin only in 1857. In addition to the account books maintained by the congregation treasurer (1857-1955), there are reports to the board, financial committee and budget material, and the aforementioned financial records in the minutes. Also included here is a volume entitled "Subscription book" which recorded individuals' collection plate offerings. This detailed volume has been retained chiefly because it documents the 1930s, a period when patterns of charitable giving are of special interest to historians.

Committee records include miscellaneous lists, minutes, publications, and information on various anniversaries and fund raising efforts. Several files concern the activities of the Epworth League during the 1930s and 1940s and the Milwaukee Missionary Society, an organization of Milwaukee businessmen which made possible the construction of several Methodist congregations during the nineteenth century.

Probably the weakest and most incomplete section of the First Methodist records include the documentation on the many ministers who served the congregation. Best represented is Ensworth Reisner, minister from the 1940s through the 1970s, for whom the collection includes a long run of sermons. These sermons, which were broadcast over the radio, are available only on microfilm. They are of interest not only for their theological content but also for the degree to which the minister referred to contemporary events and concerns.

Congregational publications include two issues of Good News, the church newsletter, and a very extensive run of church bulletins. Although sometimes recording only the order of the service, the file has been retained because many programs provide information on the activities of congregation groups and committees.

Wesley Methodist Church documented by sacramental record books which cover the period 1883-1922, a file of collected historical materials, and a subject file probably created by Rev. David G. Owen during the early 1960s. Although quite fragmentary, the subject file hints at the congregation's involvement in contemporary social problems. Also here are some minutes and correspondence pertaining to Methodist Missioners and the Central Milwaukee Methodist Parish Council.

The Miscellaneous Records includes data publications pertaining to various Methodist churches and organizations in Milwaukee and a xeroxed scrapbook on Welsh Methodists in Wisconsin apparently compiled by someone in Rees Powell's family.

In addition, the Wisconsin Historical Society's Visual and Sound Archives holds related photographs including portraits of many ministers and interior and exterior views of the First Methodist and Wesley Church buildings.

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY: Methodism in Milwaukee, Wisconsin had its beginnings in May 1835, when Reverend John Clark, a circuit rider sponsored by the New York Conference, formed the Milwaukee Mission. A year later a church was formed with Mark Robinson as the first minister and a congregation of over fifty members. In subsequent years that church underwent several location and name changes. In 1837 the church adopted as its name, the Methodist Episcopal Church of Milwaukee. Its second building was constructed in 1845 on the northwest corner of West Water and Spring Streets; two years later the church was renamed the Spring Street Methodist Church to distinguish it from other Methodist churches being formed in Milwaukee. In 1870 a new building was constructed on the corner of Spring and Fifth Streets; seven years later the name of the church was changed to the Grand Avenue Methodist Church in order to conform with the renaming of Spring Street as Grand Avenue. The congregation built a new church on Grand Avenue between Tenth and Eleventh Streets in 1908. In 1927 the congregation's name was changed to the First Methodist Church, although the official name was the First Methodist Church of Spring Street Station.

The Wesley Methodist Church had its origins in missionary activities among Milwaukee Methodism. In September, 1883 the City Missionary and Church Extension Society purchased a lot on Washington Avenue and in the following year the Washington Avenue Church was dedicated. This congregation was tied to the Grand Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church as eighteen members (out of a total of nineteen members) transferred from the older congregation. Due to increases in membership a larger church was needed within twenty years. This building, which was named the Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church, was dedicated in 1905.

By the 1960s, however, both congregations had begun to suffer a loss of membership due to the movement of many of their members to the suburbs. In June 1969 First Methodist and Wesley Church met this problem by merging, with Ensworth Reisner of First Methodist serving as pastor of the new church. Prior to the merger a portion of the first Methodist building was torn down to accommodate some expressway construction, and ultimately the entire building was razed. As a result the merged church worshipped in the Wesley Church building. In 1981 the Wesley building was destroyed and a new building constructed on the original site, 639 North 25th Street.

Both of these Methodist congregations exhibited considerable interest in their history, and the collection contains several histories and anniversary publications for researchers needing more detailed information.

Central United Methodist Church (Milwaukee, Wis.). Records, 1844-1973. Milwaukee Manuscript Collection AT, Milwaukee Micro Collection 3, and Milwaukee Micro Collection 56. Wisconsin Historical Society. Milwaukee Area Research Center. UWM Libraries. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

ACQUISITION: Presented by the Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with portions via Ensworth Reisner and Mrs. Milton Sutton from 1965-1973. Portions loaned for filming, August 17, 1966 by Albert B. Houghton (accession numbers M65-417, M66-294, M68-44, M72-138, M73-221).

PROCESSING: Processed, original collection reprocessed, and portions prepared for microfilming by CJM in 1987.

MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:

• Church records and registers--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
• First Methodist Church (Milwaukee, Wis.).
• Grand Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church (Milwaukee, Wis.).
• Methodist church buildings--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
• Methodist Church--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
• Milwaukee City Missionary Society.
• Milwaukee (Wis.)--Church history.
• Milwaukee (Wis.)--History--Sources.
• Reisner, Ensworth.
• Spring Street Methodist Church (Milwaukee, Wis.).
• Washington Avenue Methodist Church (Milwaukee, Wis.).
• Wesley Methodist Church (Milwaukee, Wis.).

MILWAUKEE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION AT. Wesley Methodist Church.	BOX	FOLDER
Historical Material, undated	6	2
Sacramental Records, Church Records, 1883-1892	6	3
Sacramental Records, Church Records, 1895-1917	7	2
Sacramental Records, Church Records,1918-1922	6	4
Sacramental Records, Transfer Register, 1955-1966	6	5
Sacramental Records, Miscellaneous Membership Lists, 1926, 1960-1961	6	6
Sacramental Records, Miscellaneous Bulletins, 1924-1959	6	7
Ministerial Subject Files, Barksdale Memorial Fund, undated	6	8
Ministerial Subject Files, Blendinger, John, 1965-1966	6	9
Ministerial Subject Files, Capital Funds, 1966	6	10
Ministerial Subject Files, Civil Rights, ca. 1963	6	12
Ministerial Subject Files, Covenant Community, undated	6	13
Ministerial Subject Files, Ecumenical Institute, undated	6	14
Ministerial Subject Files, Emphasis, 1964	6	15
Ministerial Subject Files, Fund Raising, 1961-1962	6	16
Ministerial Subject Files, Indianapolis Consultantship, undated	6	17
Ministerial Subject Files, Insurance, 1957	6	18
Ministerial Subject Files, Membership Analysis, 1959-1961	6	19
Ministerial Subject Files, Methodist Missioners, 1963-1965	6	20
Ministerial Subject Files, Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1959-1960, undated	6	21
Ministerial Subject Files, Quarterly Reports, 1965	6	22
Ministerial Subject Files, Restoration Project, 1959	6	23
Ministerial Subject Files, Subscriptions, 1962-1963	6	24
Ministerial Subject Files, Summer Projects, 1965	6	25
Ministerial Subject Files, Young Adults, 1959-1962	6	26

MILWAUKEE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION AT. Miscellaneous Records.	BOX	FOLDER
Milwaukee Methodism, 1935-1966	6	27
Powell Scrapbook on Welsh Methodism in Wisconsin, undated	6	28

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Last edited on Wednesday, February 19, 2003.
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