Archives of St. John's Episcopal Church, 1873-1994
COLL MSS 77
Historical Note:
On January 31, 1873, Episcopal Bishop Daniel S. Tuttle arrived in Logan riding on the first railroad train to reach the town. His mission was to establish a new Episcopal parish, St. John’s, as a northern outpost in Utah. Despite initial hostility from the dominant Mormon population the church was established along with a school. (Prior to Utah’s statehood in 1896 there was no public school system.) While the Episcopal congregation remained small the school did quite well, and eventually a majority of the students attending came from Mormon homes. In 1876, three years after its founding, the church purchased property on Center Street at 300 West, although a permanent building was not erected until 1888.
The church moved again to its current location (85 East 100 North) in 1909 when a new church building was completed. This move coincided with the active and high profile ministry of the Rev. Paul Jones and the Rev. Donald Johnson. The two young priests were active proponents of the Social Gospel movement as well as Progressive Era reforms. They did extensive public outreach, including establishing the first lending library in Logan along with a smoker’s lounge. (Other notable first included the first indoor shower and first tennis court.) During their tenure in Logan, Jones and Johnson published a journal called The Portal (Special Collections call # 979.26 P831), which contained articles on a variety of literary, theological, community and social reform issues. Following Johnson’s departure to Pennsylvania in 1911 and Jones’s move to Salt Lake City in 1913 (where he subsequently served as Bishop of Utah until being forced to resign for his pacifist views during World War I) St. John’s entered a prolonged period of decline. This eventually resulted in the discontinuance of regularly scheduled church services (and the absence of a resident clergy) from 1927 to 1942.
St. John’s resurrection occurred with the on-set of World War II and the influx of military personnel at the Utah Agricultural College (now USU). Major Ben B. Blair spearheaded the renewal with help from Walter P. Cable, a licensed lay-reader from Ogden who was assigned to St. John’s by the Diocese of Utah. In 1945 a permanent priest was once again assigned to the Logan church. Although the fortunes of St. John’s continued to wax and wane during the next several decades by the 1980s the church entered a period of relative stability and gradual growth. This growth eventually resulted in a massive renovation and expansion of the church as well as the construction of a new social hall/classroom wing (replacing the earlier parish house), which was dedicated in October 2004.
Sources of Information:
Building the “Goodly Fellowship of Faith,” by Frederick Quinn (Main stacks: BX 5917 .U8 Q85 2004)
“The Reopening of St. John’s Church,” by Sandy Hays (Spec. Coll.: Pam C 219)
Provenance:
The first batch of records for St. John’s Church was transferred to USU in 1981 (Boxes 1-16). A subsequent transfer occurred in 1992. A handful of additional materials were donated by third parties.
Scope & Content Note:
This collection includes parish registers (1873-1968), guest books (1954-1982), record of services (1947-1968), general and treasurer's correspondence (1943-1993), parish reports (1945-1978), seminarians and ordinands records (1974-1980), vestry minutes (1947-1985), and miscellaneous budget and financial records. Also includes the records of the Episcopal Church Women of St. John's (1951-1970)
Note for Researchers:
Also see P0164 for a photograph of the interior of St. John's Episcopal Church, ca. 1910.
Special Collections has a number of publications and additional photographs pertaining to St. John's. Please consult with the appropriate curator for more information.
A scrapbook of photos and newspaper clippings for the Girls Friendly Society, a 1950s group affiliated with St. John's, has been transferred to the Photo Archives.
Inventory:
Box 1. Parish Registers, 1873-1968, Letters of Transfer, 1960-1975
Book 1 Register, 1873-1899
Book 2 Register, 1906-1944
Book 3 Register, 1945-1966
Folder 1 Letters of Transfer, 1960-1975
Box 2. Guest Books, 1954-1982, Registers of Services, 1947-1968, Seminarian's Day Book, 1978-1979
Book 1 Guests, 1954-1973
Book 2 Guests, 1973-1982
Book 3 Register of Services, 1947-1956
Book 4 Register of Services, 1957-1968
Book 5 Seminarian's Day Book, 1978-1979
Folder 1 Record of Activities (Lay Reader in Charge), 1943
Folder 2 Record of Activities (Lay Reader in Charge), 1944
Box 3. Treasurer's Record, 1927, 1953-1962 (collections)
Box 4. Correspondence, 1943-1979 (see also Box 10, Correspondence of Treasurer F. P. Champ)
Folder 1 General Correspondence, 1943 F.P. Champ, Waiter Preston Cable
Folder 2 General Correspondence, 1944 Ven. W.F. Bulkley, Fr. Geo. Argyle, F.P. Champ, Walter Preston Cable
Folder 3 Rt. Rev. Arthur W. Moulton, 1944
Folder 4 General Correspondence, 1945 Col Ben B. Blair, Fr. George Argyle
Folder 5 Rt. Rev. Arthur W. Moulton, 1945
Folder 6 Treasurer's Correspondence, 1945 F.P. Champ
Folder 7 Joseph E. MacGinnis, Lay Reader-in-Charge, 1946
Folder 8 Joseph E. MacGinnis, Lay Reader-in-Charge, 1947
Folder 9 General Correspondence, 1947
Folder 10 General Correspondence, 1954 F.P. Champ, Fr.. Alvin P. Lafon, Diocese
Folder 11 Fr. Norman W. Riebe, 1962
Folder 12 Fr. Norman W. Riebe, 1967-1963
Folder 13 General Correspondence, 1969
Folder 14 General Correspondence, 1970
Folder 15 Rt. Rev. Richard S. Watson, 1964-1971
Folder 16 Rt. Rev. E. Otis Charles, 1971
Folder 17 Fr. Paul J. Habliston, 1971
Folder 18 General Correspondence, 1973 Fr. David W. Schmidt
Folder 19 General Correspondence, 1974 Bishop Charles, Fr. Winder, K. Kaisch
Folder 20 General Correspondence, 1975 Diocese, Sue Reed, Logan Assembly of God
Folder 21 General Correspondence, 1976 Sue Reed, Treasurer; Robert M. Gordon
Folder 22 General Correspondence, 1977 Sue Reed, Bp., Charles, A.J. Simmonds
Folder 23 General Correspondence, 1978 Sue Reed, Bp. Charles, A.J. Simmonds
Folder 24 General Correspondence, 1979 B.E. Norton, Robert M. Gordon, Barbara Crookston
Box 5. Parochial Reports, 1947-1978; Vestry minutes, 1947-1977
Folder 1 Parish Report, 1945-1946
Folder 2 Parish Report, 1947-1949
Folder 3 Parish Report, 1950-1951
Folder 4 Parish Report, 1958-1959
Folder 5 Parish Report 1960
Folder 6 Parish Report 1961
Folder 7 Parish Report 1962
Folder 8 Parish Report 1963
Folder 9 Parish Report 1964
Folder 10 Parish Report 1965
Folder 11 Parish Report 1966
Folder 12 Parish Report 1967
Folder 13 Parish Report 1969
Folder 14 Parish Report 1970
Folder 15 Parish Report, 1972
Folder 16 Parish Report, 1974-1975
Folder 17 Parish Report, 1976-1978
Folder 18 Vestry Minutes, 1947-1955
Folder 19 Vestry Minutes, 1955
Folder 20 Vestry Minutes, 1956
Folder 21 Vestry Minutes. 1957
Folder 22 Vestry Minutes. 1958
Folder 23 Vestry Minutes. 1959
Folder 24 Vestry Minutes. 1961
Folder 25 Vestry Minutes 1967
Folder 26 Vestry Minutes. 1969
Folder 27 Vestry Minutes. 1970
Folder 28 Vestry Minutes, 1971
Folder 29 Vestry Minutes, 1972
Folder 30 Vestry Minutes, 1976
Folder 31 Vestry Minutes, 1974-1977
Box 6. Episcopal Church Women of St. John's, 1951-1970
Folder 1 ECW Minutes, 1951-1952
Folder 2 ECW Minutes, 1953
Folder 3 ECW Minutes, 1954
Folder 4 ECW Minutes, 1955
Folder 5 ECW Minutes, 1960
Folder 6 ECW Minutes, 1961
Folder 7 ECW Minutes, 1962
Folder 8 ECW Minutes, 1963
Folder 9 ECW Minutes, 1966-1967
Folder 10 ECW Minutes, 1968
Folder 11 ECW Minutes, 1970
Folder 12 ECW Membership, 1962-1963
Folder 13 ECW Dues, 1960-1966
Folder 14 Constitution and By-Laws of ECW
Folder 15 ECW Annual Reports
Folder 16 Annual Committee Reports
Folder 17 ECW Report
Folder 18 ECW Correspondence, 1957
Folder 19 ECW Correspondence, 1968-1969
Folder 20 ECW Finance and Budget
Box 7. Seminarians and Ordinands, 1974-1980 Restricted until 2016
Folder 1 Bryan Jones
Folder 2 Patricia O' Reilly
Folder 3 Christopher Sterry
Folder 4 Seminarians, 1977
Folder 5 Seminarians, 1978
Folder 6 Lance Eagleman
Folder 7 David Robinson
Folder 8 Seminarians' Contracts
Folder 9 Seminarian Search Committee, 1979
Folder 10 Seminarian Search Committee, 1980
Folder 11 Bishop's Correspondence re: Seminarians
Box 8. Stewardship and Every-Member Canvass Pledges, 1951-1979
Folder 1 Pledges, 1951
Folder 2 Pledges, 1952
Folder 3 Pledges, 1953
Folder 4 Pledges, 1954
Folder 5 Pledges, 1955
Folder 6 Pledges, 1970
Folder 7 Pledges, 1973
Folder 8 Pledges, 1974
Folder 9 Pledges, 1976
Folder 10 Pledges, 1979
Folder 11 Pledge Records, 1967-1969
Folder 12 Pledge Records, 1970
Folder 13 Pledge Records, 1971
Folder 14 Pledge Records, 1972
Folder 15 Pledges and Reports, 1970, 1975
Folder 16 Pledge Cards and List, 1969
Folder 17 Pledge Cards and List, 1970
Folder 18 Pledge Cards, 1971
Folder 19 Pledge Sheets and Card, 1975
Folder 20 Pledge Cards, 1977
Folder 21 Pledge Statements, 1977
Folder 22 Pledge Drive, 1977
Folder 23 Stewardship, general material
Box 9. Budget and Budget Projection Papers, 1946-1983
Folder 1 Budget, 1945-1955
Folder 2 Budget, 1957
Folder 3 Budget, 1967-1969
Folder 4 Budget, 1970
Folder 5 Budget, 1971
Folder 6 Budget, 1972
Folder 7 Budget, 1973-1974
Folder 8 Budget, 1974-1975
Folder 9 Budget, 1974-1975
Folder 10 Budget, 1976
Folder 11 Budget, 1977
Folder 12 Miscellaneous budgetary papers, 1976-1981
Folder 13 Diocesan Budget, 1974-1979
Folder 14 Budget Summaries, 1975-1977
Folder 15 Budget Summaries, 1978
Folder 16 Budget Summaries, 1979
Folder 17 Budget Projections, 1975-1983
Box 10. Treasurer F.P. Champ's Correspondence, 1964-1974 (see also Box 4)
Folder 1 Correspondence, 1964
Folder 2 Correspondence, 1967
Folder 3 Correspondence, 1968
Folder 4 Correspondence, 1969
Folder 5 Correspondence, 1969
Folder 6 Correspondence, 1970
Box 11. Check Stubs, 1954-1976
Box 12. Cancelled Checks and Bank Statements, 1959 - 1969
Folder 1 1959
Folder 2 1960
Folder 3 1961
Folder 4 1962
Folder 5 1963
Folder 6 1964
Folder 7 1965
Folder 8 1966
Folder 9 1967
Folder 10 1968
Folder 11 1969
Box 13. Cancelled Checks and Bank Statements, 1969-1974
Folder 1 Cancelled Checks, 1969-1970
Folder 2 Bank Statements, 1970
Folder 3 Cancelled Checks, 1971
Folder 4 Bank Statements, 1971
Folder 5 Cancelled Checks, 1972
Folder 6 Bank Statements, 1972
Folder 7 Cancelled Checks, 1973
Folder 8 Bank Statements, 1973
Folder 9 Cancelled Checks, 1974
Folder 10 Miscellaneous Bank Statements, 1973-1977
Folder 11 Checkbooks, 1943-1975
Folder 12 Bank Account Papers, 1977
Folder 13 Interest Received on Bank Accounts, 1970, 1975-1976
Box 14. Receipt and Deposit Records, 1957-1977 (Treasurer)
Box 15. Receipts for Bills Paid, 1969-1977
Folder 1 1969
Folder 2 1970
Folder 3 1971
Folder 4 1972-1973
Folder 5 1974
Folder 6 1975
Folder 7 1976
Folder 8 1977
Box 16. Miscellaneous Papers
Folder 1 St. John's House, 1946-1947
Folder 2 Open Letters to the Congregation, 1971 (Habliston)
Folder 3 Parish List, 1972-1974, 1976
Folder 4 Memberships, 1974
Folder 5 St. John's Newsletters, 1974-1975
Folder 6 Sunday Bulletins, 1977-1978
Folder 7 Aaron DeWitt Letter, 1975 (1980 copy)
Folder 8 Convention, 1976
Folder 9 Convention, 1977
Folder 10 Parish Notes, 1976
Folder 11 Parish Notes, 1977
Folder 12 Hymns Used
Folder 13 Altar Guild
Folder 14 Building Plans
Folder 15 Church Bulletins
Folder 16 Parish Goals
Folder 17 Parish Administration: Vestry Job Descriptions
Folder 18 Memorials
Folder 19 Seabury Press
Folder 20 St. John's College Work
Folder 21 Parish Program and Goals Report
Addendum to the Archives of St. John’s Church, 1909-1994 (Processed 2006)
Box 17. Misc. Records (Minutes, Financial Statements, Diocesan Announcements), 1975-1985
Folder 1 Savings Account Book, 1975-1979
Folder 2 Financial Records, 1984, Unidentified survey results
Folder 3 Organ Fund Contribution List, 1975-1979, 1984
Folder 4 Misc. Parish and Diocesan Documents, 1980-1985
Folder 5 Vestry Records, 1981
Folder 6 Vestry Records, 1982
Folder 7 Vestry Records, 1983
Folder 8 Vestry Records, 1984
Folder 9 Vestry Records, 1985
Folder 10 Needs Assessment Survey, 1985
Box 18. Monthly Financial Statements, 1977-1982
Folder 1 Misc. Logan Savings & Loan statements, 1981-1984 (partial)
Folder 2 Misc. bills and receipts, 1981-1982
Folder 3 Bank statements (quarterly), Jan. 1980 to June 1981 (partial)
Folder 4 Notes from Diocesan Budget Workshop, 1980
Folder 5 Diocesan Base Budget for St. John’s, 1981
Folder 6 Monthly financial statements, 1977
Folder 7 Monthly financial statements, 1978
Folder 8 Monthly financial statements, 1979
Folder 9 Monthly financial statements, December 1980
Folder 10 Monthly financial statements, 1981
Box 19. Cancelled checks, 1977-1980
Box 20. Financial Records, 1978-1980
Folder 1 Financial statements, 1978
Folder 2 Pledge tracking sheets, 1978
Folder 3 Pledge sheets, 1978
Folder 4 Paid bills, 1978
Folder 5 Financial statements, 1979
Folder 6 Pledge tracking sheets, 1979
Folder 7 Paid bills, 1979
Folder 8 Monthly budget reports, 1980
Folder 9 Paid bills, 1980
Folder 10 Diocesan budget forms
Box 21. Misc. Records (Vestry Notes, Financial Statements, Diocesan Information), 1979-1985
Folder 1 Misc. documents, 1979
Folder 2 Misc. documents, 1980
Folder 3 Misc. documents, 1981
Folder 4 Financial Summaries, 1981-1987
Folder 5 Misc. documents, 1982
Folder 6 Misc. documents, 1983
Folder 7 Misc. documents, 1983 (continued)
Folder 8 Misc. documents, 1984
Folder 9 Misc. documents, 1985
Box 22. Correspondence, 1981-1983
Folder 1 Correspondence and reports (Misc.), 1974-1980
Folder 2 Correspondence 1981
Folder 3 Correspondence 1982
Folder 4 Correspondence 1982 (continued)
Folder 5 Correspondence 1983
Box 23. Financial Records, 1986 & 1988 Restricted until 2016
Folder 1 Financial Records, January & February 1986
Folder 2 Financial Records, March 1986
Folder 3 Financial Records, March & April 1986
Folder 4 Financial Records, May 1986
Folder 5 Financial Records, June 1986
Folder 6 Financial Records, July 1986
Folder 7 Financial Records, August 1986
Folder 8 Financial Records, September 1986
Folder 9 Financial Records, October 1986
Folder 10 Financial Records, November 1986
Folder 11 Financial Records, December 1986
Folder 12 Annual Report, 1986
Folder 13 Receipts, 1986