Series 4: Parish and ministry records, 1950 -- 2007

Extent:

3.5 linear feet 3.5 linear feet; 7 boxes

Scope and content:

This series contains specific information related to the Churches of the EHPP, as well as Group Ministry which applied to all of the churches. The parishes were the Church of Our Redeemer; Church of the Resurrection; 100th Street Church; Church of the Son of Man; Church of the Ascension; and the Elmendorf Reformed Church. Materials include reports, minutes and committee materials, correspondence, articles, financial records, program information, member lists, and other materials.

Biographical / historical:

Church of the Son of Man at 205 East 102nd Street began at this location in 1950. Projects of Christian Action for this Church included housing, political responsibility, and work among youth gangs. Early Laymen of the Church included Carlos Rios, Carlos Rodriguez, and Rev. Donald L. Benedict. 100th Street Church began in December 1948 and sought to reach out to the hundreds of children, youths and adults in the neighborhood. Other important EHPP groups that began here were the Credit Union, Christian Economics, and the Conservatives Social Club. Rev. Wendell Elmendorf, Rev. Les and Peg Stansbury, and Peg Eddy were active. Church of Our Redeemer began in the summer of 1950 with their official church home opening at 324 East 102nd Street in 1951. Sunday School Classes and Bible Study Groups were an integral part of this church. Their important programs were Parish Acres and Friendly activities. Hugh Hostetler was the first pastor. Church of the Ascension is a Presbyterian Church built in 1908 as a mission church for Italian immigrants. In the early 1950s it became associated with EHPP through the assignment of George Todd, a member of the Group Ministry. Letty Russell later became pastor of this church. The church participated in all Parish-wide activities, and early membership was drawn from the East River Houses. Church of the Resurrection at 325 East 101st Street was also an original member of the EHPP Ministry. In the mid-2000's it was in the news due to the need for a new building. The church outgrew its structure after thirty years and agreed to an air-rights deal with a building developer, who constructed a multi-story apartment on the site with room for a church and learning center at the base. Elmendorf Reformed Church was led by Rev. Donald DeYoung, Rev. Allen Sheldon, and Rev. William C. Bennett from the mid-1940s to 1970s. It is located at 171 East 121st Street.

Arrangement:

This series is arranged by parish site.

Contents

Access and use