Most Chicago Presbyterian congregations are now part of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (PCUSA).
Entries followed by a call number refer to items in the Newberry Library. Items followed by an FHL film number refer to items held by the Family History Library in Salt Lake City; these items can be loaned to the Newberry for a small fee, or to any LDS Family History Center.
Presbyterian Historical Society
425 Lombard St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147-1516
(215) 627-1852
The Presbyterian Historical Society serves as the archival repository for the Presybterian Church (USA) and its congregations.
Denominational web sites may include historical data and directories of congregations.
Presbyterian Church in America
Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA)
Stevenson, Andrew, et.al. Chicago: Pre-eminently a Presbyterian City. Chicago: Winona Publishing Co., 1907. Includes historical sketches of McCormick Theological Seminary, Lake Forest University and Presbyterian Hospital. Call #F 8962.838
This congregation was founded at Fort Dearborn in 1833. Was at Indiana and 21st from 1871 to 1912. Moved to 41st and Grand Blvd. (Now Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive) in 1912. In 1926, moved to current location at 64th Street and Kimbark Avenue.
The Church on the Frontier: An Historical Discourse Delivered in the First Presbyterian Church, Chicago, Ill. On November 3rd, 1878. Chicago: First Presbyterian Church, 1878. Call # D 28962.58
Choir Journals (church bulletins). The collection covers Jan. 1875-Aug. 1903; Jan 1898-Dec. 1900. Call # Case MS D 28962.16357
Church Programs.Weekly church bulletins spanning Jan 7, 1912-June 27, 1926. Call # D 28962.16362
Curtis, Harvey. Secession Considered as a Means of Reformation: A Sermon Preached in the first Presbyterian Church, Chicago, Illinois, July 13, 1851. Chicago, 1951. Call #Graff 955
Directory of the First Scotch Presbyterian Church…Containing the Reports for the Centennial Year, a Complete List of the Membership, Alphabetically Arranged, A List of All the City Presbyterian Churches, and Other Matters… Chicago: James Barnet, 1877. Includes addresses of members. Call # D 28962.1634
A History of the First Presbyterian Church of Chicago, 1833-1941. Chicago: The First Presbyterian Church of Chicago, 1941. Compiled by workers of the Writer's program of the Work Projects Administration in the state of Illinois. Call # D 28962.985
Jubilee Services, June 24-27, 1883. An Account of the Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Organization of the First Presbyterian Church of Chicago. Chicago: First Presbyterian Church, 1883. Call # D 28962.1636
Otis, Philo Adams. The First Presbyterian Church: A History of the Oldest Organization in Chicago, With Biographical Sketches of the Pastors and Copious Extracts From the Choir Records. Chicago: 1900. Includes photographic portraits, biographies of pastors, some biographical information about members and a name index. Call # D 28962.65
Otis, Philo Adams. The First Presbyterian Church, 1833-1913: A History of the Oldest Organization in Chicago, With Biographical Sketches of the Ministers and Extracts From the Choir Records. 2nd rev. ed. Chicago: F. H. Revell co., 1913. A revision of the 1900 book (see above). Two copies. One copy includes handwritten notes by Philo Otis and correspondence. Call # D 28962.651
Unveiling of Tablet in memory of Rev. John Blatchford, D.D., and Frances Wickes Blatchford, his Wife, October 21, 1905. Chicago: First Presbyterian Church, 1906. Call # D 28962.1627
With These Walls: 50th Anniversary, Men's Bible Class, 1951. Chicago: First Presbyterian Church,1951. Call # D 28962.16372
Parish records. The Newberry Library has a large but unprocessed collection of parish records. Contact Special Collections to view.
This church began in 1851 at Washington and Wabash and has been located at 1936 S. Michigan since 1874.
Manual of the Second Presbyterian Church, Michigan Ave. and Twentieth St., Chicago. Chicago:Second Presbyterian Church, 1894. Two copies. Call # D 28962.1672
The Second Presbyterian Church of Chicago: June 1st, 1842 to June 1st 1892. Chicago: Knight, 1892. Includes an historical sketch and a list of members. Call # D 28962.1674
Washington and Carpenter.
Parish Manuals, 1872 and 1897. The 1872 manual includes a list of current members. The 1897 manual includes lists of members received and dismissed. Call # D 28962.168
Michigan Avenue and Chestnut.
This congregation was created through a merger of Westminster and North Presbyterian Churches. After the Chicago fire it was located at Rush and Superior. It has been at its present location since 1914.
Roll of Members and Adherents, 1896. Chicago: Fourth Presbyterian Church, 1896. Call # D 28962.164
Scroggs, Marilee Munger. A Light in the City: The Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago. Chicago: Fourth Presbyterian Church, 1990. Call # BX9211.C4 S27 1990
Membership records available on microfilm from the Family History Library (See "Chicago Churches and Synagogues-General-Archives" for more information):
FHL #914074 Item 6
Session minutes, 1892-1900
600 E. 35th.
Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.: The 200th Year Anniversary of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Grace Presbyterian Church. Ill.?: Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church, 1988. Call # Folio BX9211.C4 S5 1988
8623 S. Sangemon.
Membership records available on microfilm from the Family History Library (See "Chicago Churches and Synagogues-General-Archives" for more information):
FHL Film #501944 Item 1
Moody's Mission treasurer's record, 1871-1872
Sacramento and Warren (now Thorndale) (1910 Chicago City Directory).
Membership records available on microfilm from the Family History Library (See "Chicago Churches and Synagogues-General-Archives" for more information):
FHL Film #1845438 Item 2
Directory of the Central Park Presbyterian Church, Chicago, 1905.
Some documents from this congregation are held in the unprocessed parish records of First Presbyterian at the Newberry Library.
5916 W. Rice.
Humboldt Park Welsh Union Church merged with this congregation in 1956.
See also: Union--Humboldt Park Welsh Union Church
Dedication 1956 Hebron Welsh Presbyterian Church. Chicago: Hebron Welsh Presbyterian Church, 1956? Call #Folio BX9211.C4 D4 1956
A Brief History of Hebron Presbyterian Church, Chicago, Ill., 1844-1909: And a List of Subscriptions, Gifts and Donations to the Building Fund. Chicago: Hebron Presbyterian Church, 1909? Includes list of contributors to the building fund (some include name of the street of residence). Call #BX9211.C4 H4 1909
Hebron Welsh United Presbyterian Church. Chicago: Hebron Welsh United Presybterian Church, 1987? Brief historical information about the parish and a photo directory of members at the time of publication. Call # Folio BX9211.C4 H43 1987
100th Anniversary Program, Hebron Welsh Presbyterian Church: 1844-1944. Chicago: Hebron Welsh Presbyterian Church, 1944? Includes list of contributors to the centennial fund with addresses. Call #BX9211.C4 O6 1944
1448 E. 53rd.
This congregation is now part of the United Church of Hyde Park.
Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration: Hyde Park Presbyterian Church Golden Jubilee, May First to Eight, Nineteen Hundred and Ten. Chicago: Hyde Park Presbyterian Church, 1910. Call # D28962.1646
Year Book, June 1st, 1908. Chicago: Hyde Park Presbyterian Church, 1908. Call # D 28962.1647
4300 N. Hermitage.
Ravenswood Presbyterian Church, Hermitage and Cullom Avenues, "Sunshine Corner," Chicago, Illinois: A Story of the Church. Chicago: Ravenswood Presbyterian Church Historical Committee, 1939. Includes list of founding and deceased members. Call #D28962.843