The Lawrence History Center is proud to announce three new collections that are available for research: the Church of the Good Shepherd Unitarian Universalist Collection, 1847-1980; the First Universalist Society of Methuen Collection, 1924-1959; and the First Spiritual Church of Methuen Collection, 1887-1974.
The First Spiritual Church of Methuen was called the First Progressive Society of Lawrence until the Society built a church in Methuen and changed their name. As defined by the Society, “Spiritualism is the science, philosophy and religion of continuous life, based upon the demonstrated fact of communication, by means of mediumship, with those who live in the Spirit World.” The records of the First Spiritual Church of Methuen go until 1974. It is unclear what became of the Church and Society.
The Church of the Good Shepherd Unitarian Universalist Collection includes the records of the First Unitarian Society, Church of the Good Shepherd Universalist, and the First Universalist Society, all of Lawrence. In the 1940s and 1950s, these three churches combined to make the Church of the Good Shepherd Unitarian Universalist, located at 201 Haverhill Street. In 1996, the Unitarian Universalist Church moved to Andover.
The First Universalist Society of Methuen Collection contains the records of the First Universalist Society of Methuen. The church was originally from Methuen, however in 1934, due to dwindling membership, the church disbanded. Many of the members became new members of the Universalist churches in Lawrence. In 1944, the members decided to give part of their church property to the First Universalist Society in Lawrence. In the late 1950s, the money from the various funds of the First Universalist Society in Methuen were given to the Church of the Good Shepherd Unitarian Universalist. It is unclear when the First Universalist Society of Methuen disbanded, however it is likely that it was around this time.
These records detail Unitarianism, Universalism, and Spiritualism in and around Lawrence. There are many different types of records in these collections, including the meeting minutes of the church’s governments, clubs, and organizations, the original constitutions and bylaws of the various churches, member lists and vital records, pew deeds, and information regarding church events. If you are interested in local or regional religious history, you should definitely take a look at these collections. The finding aids can be found on our Collection Guides page here. If you would like more information, you can contact us at 978-686-9230 or research@lawrencehistory.org.