Congregational Library & Archives
@congrelib.bsky.social
The Congregational Library & Archives is an independent research library founded in 1853. We are dedicated to preserving and promoting the more than 400 year history of Congregationalism.
In 1776, Israel Heald, a Minuteman from Acton, MA, wrote out this 44-word prayer on a small slip of paper and gave it to his Congregational church minister. It is one of only a few surviving “prayer bills” from a veteran of the American Revolution.
November 11, 2025 at 12:34 PM
In 1776, Israel Heald, a Minuteman from Acton, MA, wrote out this 44-word prayer on a small slip of paper and gave it to his Congregational church minister. It is one of only a few surviving “prayer bills” from a veteran of the American Revolution.
How much do you know about Squanto, the man behind the Thanksgiving myths? Take a new look at this old story in the video and transcript from our 2024 “Squanto: A Native Odyssey” book talk at congregationallibrary.org/video/squanto
November 10, 2025 at 5:33 PM
How much do you know about Squanto, the man behind the Thanksgiving myths? Take a new look at this old story in the video and transcript from our 2024 “Squanto: A Native Odyssey” book talk at congregationallibrary.org/video/squanto
Take a look a few of our new library acquisitions that are available for anyone to use in our reading room alongside our collection documenting the 400+ year history of Congregationalism.
Ready to make an appointment? Find all the info you need at https://congregationallibrary.org/visit
Ready to make an appointment? Find all the info you need at https://congregationallibrary.org/visit
November 7, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Take a look a few of our new library acquisitions that are available for anyone to use in our reading room alongside our collection documenting the 400+ year history of Congregationalism.
Ready to make an appointment? Find all the info you need at https://congregationallibrary.org/visit
Ready to make an appointment? Find all the info you need at https://congregationallibrary.org/visit
We hope you will make plans to join us December 3rd for a virtual book talk with former CLA Research Fellow Dr. Edward Andrews on the remarkable life of Occramer Marycoo, an enslaved African who became one of early America's most important Black leaders.
November 6, 2025 at 2:46 PM
We hope you will make plans to join us December 3rd for a virtual book talk with former CLA Research Fellow Dr. Edward Andrews on the remarkable life of Occramer Marycoo, an enslaved African who became one of early America's most important Black leaders.
Visit our new digital exhibition, "NEHH@20: Re-Examining Stories from New England Communities," to commemorate the New England’s Hidden Histories project’s 20th anniversary and explore overlooked stories from Congregational church records: ow.ly/YXNY50Xn5ou
November 5, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Visit our new digital exhibition, "NEHH@20: Re-Examining Stories from New England Communities," to commemorate the New England’s Hidden Histories project’s 20th anniversary and explore overlooked stories from Congregational church records: ow.ly/YXNY50Xn5ou
Early Congregational church records preserve stories that capture the rich complexity of community life, from the milestones of birth and death, to impassioned fights for justice, the anxieties of tragedy and war, and the many celebrations and controversies of everyday life.
November 5, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Early Congregational church records preserve stories that capture the rich complexity of community life, from the milestones of birth and death, to impassioned fights for justice, the anxieties of tragedy and war, and the many celebrations and controversies of everyday life.
Mark your calendars to join us at 14 Beacon or on Zoom for a lunch and learn program on December 15th with Project Archivist Anne Woodrum, who will share takeaways from her first six months of work with the Historic Connecticut Collection, given to the CLA by @sneucc.org.
November 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Mark your calendars to join us at 14 Beacon or on Zoom for a lunch and learn program on December 15th with Project Archivist Anne Woodrum, who will share takeaways from her first six months of work with the Historic Connecticut Collection, given to the CLA by @sneucc.org.
When you’re looking for a home for your church’s archive, will repositories want those digital copies you’ve made of your records? And what should you do with the original items once you’ve made digital copies? (Spoiler: Keep them!)
October 31, 2025 at 7:32 PM
When you’re looking for a home for your church’s archive, will repositories want those digital copies you’ve made of your records? And what should you do with the original items once you’ve made digital copies? (Spoiler: Keep them!)
A ghost story for Halloween that’s Cotton Mather approved. 👻
Looking for more Mather this spooky season? Explore our CLA Cotton Mather Bibliography at https://congregationallibrary.org/cotton-mather-bib
Looking for more Mather this spooky season? Explore our CLA Cotton Mather Bibliography at https://congregationallibrary.org/cotton-mather-bib
October 31, 2025 at 11:46 AM
A ghost story for Halloween that’s Cotton Mather approved. 👻
Looking for more Mather this spooky season? Explore our CLA Cotton Mather Bibliography at https://congregationallibrary.org/cotton-mather-bib
Looking for more Mather this spooky season? Explore our CLA Cotton Mather Bibliography at https://congregationallibrary.org/cotton-mather-bib
This #archivesmonth we’re also celebrating the CLA's archives interns, who are a key part of our team. One of our current interns, Madison, says she enjoys her work because “each collection is different and brings something new and interesting to the table.”
Keep up the great work, interns! 👏
Keep up the great work, interns! 👏
October 30, 2025 at 7:05 PM
This #archivesmonth we’re also celebrating the CLA's archives interns, who are a key part of our team. One of our current interns, Madison, says she enjoys her work because “each collection is different and brings something new and interesting to the table.”
Keep up the great work, interns! 👏
Keep up the great work, interns! 👏
Did 17th century puritans really hate holiday fun? Join Dr. Tricia Peone at 14 Beacon on December 10th or via Zoom on December 11th to find out and learn more about Christmas in 17th century New England.
Space is limited, so save your seat soon at https://ow.ly/qJKE50Xkg1N
Space is limited, so save your seat soon at https://ow.ly/qJKE50Xkg1N
October 30, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Did 17th century puritans really hate holiday fun? Join Dr. Tricia Peone at 14 Beacon on December 10th or via Zoom on December 11th to find out and learn more about Christmas in 17th century New England.
Space is limited, so save your seat soon at https://ow.ly/qJKE50Xkg1N
Space is limited, so save your seat soon at https://ow.ly/qJKE50Xkg1N
TONIGHT: Join us on Zoom at 7 pm EDT as we launch our new digital exhibition, “NEHH@20: Re-Examining Stories from New England Communities,” that celebrates two decades of our New England’s Hidden Histories project.
Registration is quick and free: https://ow.ly/LhbE50XjSqu
Registration is quick and free: https://ow.ly/LhbE50XjSqu
October 29, 2025 at 5:05 PM
TONIGHT: Join us on Zoom at 7 pm EDT as we launch our new digital exhibition, “NEHH@20: Re-Examining Stories from New England Communities,” that celebrates two decades of our New England’s Hidden Histories project.
Registration is quick and free: https://ow.ly/LhbE50XjSqu
Registration is quick and free: https://ow.ly/LhbE50XjSqu
Is there a better time for some history of 17th century New England witchcraft than Halloween week? We think not. 🎃
October 27, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Is there a better time for some history of 17th century New England witchcraft than Halloween week? We think not. 🎃
“If you could banish one stereotype or misconception about the puritans, just wipe it away so you never had to hear it again. What would that be?”
October 24, 2025 at 6:31 PM
“If you could banish one stereotype or misconception about the puritans, just wipe it away so you never had to hear it again. What would that be?”
We hope you will join us November 19th on Zoom to hear Dr. Jeffrey Griffith, editor of the forthcoming “Papers of John Hancock,” speak about Hancock’s Congregational roots. Registration is free and open to all via our website at congregationallibrary.org/events/just-...
October 24, 2025 at 1:55 PM
We hope you will join us November 19th on Zoom to hear Dr. Jeffrey Griffith, editor of the forthcoming “Papers of John Hancock,” speak about Hancock’s Congregational roots. Registration is free and open to all via our website at congregationallibrary.org/events/just-...
This week, our staff packed up a large donation of materials from the Seafarer’s Friend archives in Chelsea, MA that adds significantly to an initial collection of materials they deposited with us in 1988. Our sincere thanks go to Rev. David Hulse for facilitating this transfer!
October 23, 2025 at 8:04 PM
This week, our staff packed up a large donation of materials from the Seafarer’s Friend archives in Chelsea, MA that adds significantly to an initial collection of materials they deposited with us in 1988. Our sincere thanks go to Rev. David Hulse for facilitating this transfer!
We were pleased to welcome @bostoncollege.bsky.social students from Dr. Seth Meehan and Dean Erick Berrelleza, SJ’s History of Boston class earlier this week for a tour of “Sacred Rebellion” and to see original materials for studying Boston history in the CLA’s collection. Thanks for joining us!
October 22, 2025 at 8:17 PM
We were pleased to welcome @bostoncollege.bsky.social students from Dr. Seth Meehan and Dean Erick Berrelleza, SJ’s History of Boston class earlier this week for a tour of “Sacred Rebellion” and to see original materials for studying Boston history in the CLA’s collection. Thanks for joining us!
Billy McCarthy has been an archivist at the CLA for nearly 10 years. Looking back, he says that this role has provided “ample opportunities to grow and immerse himself in our unbelievable collections.”
October 22, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Billy McCarthy has been an archivist at the CLA for nearly 10 years. Looking back, he says that this role has provided “ample opportunities to grow and immerse himself in our unbelievable collections.”
A piece of “everyday life” in the midst of revolution, 250 years ago today: The parish treasurer promises to pay three shillings and nine pence to Ebenezer Wiswill for “preparing the windos of the meetinghouse” of the Congregational church in Sutton, Massachusetts.
October 20, 2025 at 1:05 PM
A piece of “everyday life” in the midst of revolution, 250 years ago today: The parish treasurer promises to pay three shillings and nine pence to Ebenezer Wiswill for “preparing the windos of the meetinghouse” of the Congregational church in Sutton, Massachusetts.
Help us launch our 2026 Annual Appeal by supporting our work as we begin a new chapter at the CLA, guided by our recently-adopted strategic plan.
Learn more and make your gift today at congregationallibrary.org/donate
Learn more and make your gift today at congregationallibrary.org/donate
October 17, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Help us launch our 2026 Annual Appeal by supporting our work as we begin a new chapter at the CLA, guided by our recently-adopted strategic plan.
Learn more and make your gift today at congregationallibrary.org/donate
Learn more and make your gift today at congregationallibrary.org/donate
250 years ago today, Rev. John Cleaveland gave the sermon noted at the top of this image in Somerville, MA on Mathew 3:10: “And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”
October 15, 2025 at 7:35 PM
250 years ago today, Rev. John Cleaveland gave the sermon noted at the top of this image in Somerville, MA on Mathew 3:10: “And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”
Explore the history and future of Armenian Congregationalism with Rev. Dr. Haroutune Selimian in this virtual program on November 12th, co-sponsored by our friends at the International Congregational Fellowship.
Registration is free and open to all: congregationallibrary.org/events/armen...
Registration is free and open to all: congregationallibrary.org/events/armen...
October 14, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Explore the history and future of Armenian Congregationalism with Rev. Dr. Haroutune Selimian in this virtual program on November 12th, co-sponsored by our friends at the International Congregational Fellowship.
Registration is free and open to all: congregationallibrary.org/events/armen...
Registration is free and open to all: congregationallibrary.org/events/armen...
Today we’re celebrating our Church Stewardship Initiative’s third anniversary! 🎂
So grab a party hat, check out all the previous CSI workshops on our YouTube channel, and join us as we work together to preserve your church’s memories for generations to come: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
So grab a party hat, check out all the previous CSI workshops on our YouTube channel, and join us as we work together to preserve your church’s memories for generations to come: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
October 13, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Today we’re celebrating our Church Stewardship Initiative’s third anniversary! 🎂
So grab a party hat, check out all the previous CSI workshops on our YouTube channel, and join us as we work together to preserve your church’s memories for generations to come: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
So grab a party hat, check out all the previous CSI workshops on our YouTube channel, and join us as we work together to preserve your church’s memories for generations to come: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
If you’re in the area, we hope you’ll join Norumbega Harmony for a (free!) night of post-Revolutionary music tomorrow night in honor of Framingham’s 325th anniversary at Edwards Church UCC in Framingham, MA.
October 10, 2025 at 7:40 PM
If you’re in the area, we hope you’ll join Norumbega Harmony for a (free!) night of post-Revolutionary music tomorrow night in honor of Framingham’s 325th anniversary at Edwards Church UCC in Framingham, MA.
Everyone had a wonderfully spooky time during our Spirits in the Stacks program at 14 Beacon this week, and today is your last chance to register for the Zoom version on October 14th.
Learn more and save your seat at congregationallibrary.org/events/spiri...
Learn more and save your seat at congregationallibrary.org/events/spiri...
October 10, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Everyone had a wonderfully spooky time during our Spirits in the Stacks program at 14 Beacon this week, and today is your last chance to register for the Zoom version on October 14th.
Learn more and save your seat at congregationallibrary.org/events/spiri...
Learn more and save your seat at congregationallibrary.org/events/spiri...