Blacksburg Baptist Church Records

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Blacksburg Baptist Church Records Collection, 1894 - 2007, Ms2014-001, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
18 Cubic Feet 11 boxes and 1 oversize folder
Abstract:
The collection consists of records from the Blacksburg Baptist Church, currently known as Church on Main in Blacksburg. The boxes contain materials related to financial records, minutes, church history, scrapbooks, photographs, ledger books, cassette tapes, correspondence, and more. The collection is organized based on organizations and types of records. This includes the Baptist Young People's Union, Church Building Committee, Church Bulletins, Correspondences, Financials, Leadership, Manuscripts, Membership, Photographs, Women's Missionary Society, and Women's Missionary Union. There are also printed out copies of microfilm pages which have been sorted into the "microfilm copies" and "permanent file copies." Many of the documents in these two series are duplicates of the original materials found in the other series. Some of the materials in the microfilm and permanent file copies are not found in the originals.
Language:
Materials in this collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Blacksburg Baptist Church Records Collection, 1894 - 2007, Ms2014-001, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of records from the Blacksburg Baptist Church, currently known as Church on Main in Blacksburg. The boxes contain materials related to financial records, minutes, church history, scrapbooks, photographs, ledger books, cassette tapes, correspondence, and more. The collection is organized based on organizations and types of records. This includes the Baptist Young People's Union, Church Building Committee, Church Bulletins, Correspondences, Financials, Leadership, Manuscripts, Membership, Photographs, Women's Missionary Society, and Women's Missionary Union. There are also printed out copies of microfilm pages which have been sorted into the "microfilm copies" and "permanent file copies." Many of the documents in these two series are duplicates of the original materials found in the other series. Some of the materials in the microfilm and permanent file copies are not found in the originals.

Series I: Baptist Young People's Union contains the records of the organization. Materials consists of items in the 1930s.

Series II: Church Building Committee contains records related to the construction of the church and rooms. Materials are organized by the type of material. There are architectural documents with designs for a new church building. There are building codes, contracts, plans and studies. The correspondences consist of letters regarding the church construction, including the architect. Film strips, micro slide films, and photographs include architectural designs and photographs of completed construction. The notes and reports explain plans for the construction.

Series III: Church Bulletins contains the church service bulletins. The bulletins contain the church service dates and order of worship. This includes information on the order of events, music, prayers, scripture readings, communion, and more. Bulletins also list upcoming events during the week and other announcements. They also list the church's leadership members.

Series IV: Correspondences contains correspondences related to church activities. Some correspondences have been separated into other series, including Series II: Church Building Committee. The series is organized based on the author of the letter. Some authors only wrote one or two letters, and they have been organized into the bulk "Multiple Authors" sub-series. There are also copied duplicates of letters.

Series V: Financials consists of all documents related to financial information. This includes annual reports, bank deposit books, checkbooks, ledger books, memorials record books, and treasurer's book. There are also multiple years of reports documents that discuss quarterly and yearly finances at the church and the church's organizations. The series also contain bills, checks, coal tickets, and freight bills. Finally, there are finance committee minutes books that provide information on the committee's discussions.

Series VI: Leadership contains documents about and from the church's leaders. This includes Constitutions and By-Laws for the church. The deacons minutes books provide details on deacons meetings. There are also sermon outlines and reverend papers. Finally, reports include documents on pastor searches and current leadership. There are some financial reports directly related to the leadership.

Series VII: Manuscripts consists of drafst of short stories and the history of Blacksburg Baptist Church. The History of Blacksburg Baptist Church is the primary work in the series, and includes documents related to revisions.

Series VIII: Membership consists of multiple documents related to the members of the church. This includes attendance and registration records. There are church directories of the membership and leadership. The Church Dismissal Letters contain letters for people joining the church or leaving to attend a different church. The newsletters contain documents related to the church news and events. A scrapbook and wedding newspaper clippings are also found in this series.

Series IX: Photographs contains film strips, micro slide films, negatives, and photographs. The photographs were separated into buildings and people sections. Some photographs were placed in Series II: Church Building Committee because they were directly related to construction of the church.

Series X: Women's Missionary Society contains documents related to the women's organization. These include meeting minutes, membership records, pamphlets, record book, and reports for the organization.

Series XI: Women's Missionary Union consists of documents for the women's organization. There are certificates, memorial documents, a ledger book, reports, and yearbooks. There are multiple notebooks for the organization. The scrapbook in box 10 includes magazine and newspaper clippings that discuss the War on Terror and missionary work in the Middle East and South Asia. The clippings provide a fascinating glimpse into the Baptist Church and War on Terror.

Series XII: Microfilm Copies contains printed microfilm documents. These contain documents that are located in the other series along with copies of documents not in the other series.

Series XIII: Permanent File Copies contains printed document copies. These contain documents that are located in the other series along with copies of documents not in the other series. These documents are the same as the ones in Series XII, but includes two additional years worth of documents.

Acquisition information:
The collection was donated to Special Collections in May 2015.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Blacksburg Baptist Church Records Collection was completed in May 2024.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged based on the types of materials and organizations. All materials are organized chronologically within the sub-series.