Congregational Library & Archives

As we begin a new year, we’re re-focusing our digital efforts to better support our mission. This account is now inactive, but we hope you’ll follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Bluesky for all the latest updates from 14 Beacon. Find all our accounts at linktr.ee/congregational…

Wishing you a very happy 2026 from all of us at the Congregational Library & Archives!

We are grateful for everyone who has partnered with us to preserve and share the Congregational story in 2025. It isn't too late to join us this year. Learn more about making your tax-deductible donation on our website at congregationallibrary.org/donate

Emmanuel UCC, Hanover, PA. The inside of this Christmas card reads, “May god… grant you a year of Christmas days with a blessing in each one.” | 25 Days of Congregational history for Christmas 🎄 Explore our Image Catalog online anytime: ow.ly/NfvT50XLo13

All of us at 14 Beacon wish you and your loved ones peace, joy, and a very Merry Christmas!

Union Church, Berea, KY. The building was constructed in 1922, and text printed on the back says that “1,000 citizens and students gather here regularly.” | 25 Days of Congregational history for Christmas 🎄 Explore our Image Catalog online anytime: ow.ly/bsyF50XLnMw

250 years ago today, Joshua Green took notes on a sermon he heard on Luke 2:9-12: “And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them… And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.”

Sketch of the Mission House, Satara, India. 1851. This print includes a reproduction of ABCFM missionary William Wood’s signature. | 25 Days of Congregational history for Christmas 🎄 Explore our Image Catalog online anytime: ow.ly/2S4L50XLnAy

Members of the National Congregational Council. 1865. This image from their visit to Plymouth Rock was created by combining two photos, taken simultaneously. | 25 Days of Congregational history for Christmas 🎄 Explore our Image Catalog online anytime: ow.ly/7UOm50XLlPi

Five Mile Prairie Congregational Church, Spokane, WA. A handwritten note on the back of the photo tells us the church was organized in 1907, but closed by 1923. | 25 Days of Congregational history for Christmas 🎄 Explore our Image Catalog online anytime: ow.ly/WQvf50XLlvU

Members of the First Church of Christ, Bradford, MA (@fccbradford). This photo was taken on the front steps of the church on June 11, 1944. | 25 Days of Congregational history for Christmas 🎄 Explore our Image Catalog online anytime: ow.ly/TVN850XLkZ5

St. Matthew United Church of Christ, Louisville, KY. This sketch was printed on placemats used during the church’s 100th anniversary celebrations in 1989. | 25 Days of Congregational history for Christmas 🎄 Explore our Image Catalog online anytime: ow.ly/u13U50XLkxa

Learn much more about “Armenian Congregationalism: Past, Present, and Future,” in the video from Rev. Dr. Haroutune Selimian’s virtual talk, now available on our YouTube channel at youtu.be/ESPFNBX54E4

“Wherever we have built a church, we have built a school next to it, because we believe that faith and education, they go hand in hand. And without school, there is no survival for the church.”

Congregational Library, Boston, MA. 1870s-1890s. This photo is of the library’s home before moving to the new Congregational House built at 14 Beacon Street. | 25 Days of Congregational history for Christmas 🎄 Explore our Image Catalog online anytime: ow.ly/mrC450XKLnN

Portrait of “The Congregationalist” staff. c1912-21. Howard Allen Bridgman (back, center) was a Congregational minister and Editor-in-Chief from 1911-1921. | 25 Days of Congregational history for Christmas 🎄 Explore our Image Catalog online anytime: ow.ly/ZZly50XKKY9

National Council of Congregational Churches Conference, Des Moines, IA. 1904. This portrait of attendees was taken in front of Plymouth Congregational Church. | 25 Days of Congregational history for Christmas 🎄 Explore our Image Catalog online anytime: ow.ly/hcwy50XJwJS

Registration is free and open to all via our website: congregationallibrary.org/events/acquisi…

Mark your calendars for the launch of our 2026 Adopt-a-Book campaign with “Acquisitions Afternoon” on January 20th. Join us on Zoom from 1-2 pm EST to hear Dr. Phillip Mead share fascinating stories of uncovering and collecting Revolutionary-era books and manuscripts.

Portrait of Emma Darling Cushman (1863-1931). This was taken in 1927 outside her home near Corinth, Greece where she was a nurse and Congregational missionary | 25 Days of Congregational history for Christmas 🎄 Explore our Image Catalog online anytime: ow.ly/stQY50XJwG7