Exploring the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing Archives: A Treasure Trove of Community History
by Ed Busch
I haven’t had time to investigate a new topic for the archives blog, so I thought I’d share some information about the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing (UU Lansing Archives) and its significance.
What is an archive?
An archive is a collection of historical records, documents, and materials preserved for their long-term value. Archives contain primary sources like letters, minutes from meetings, photographs, manuscripts, videos, and more, which provide insight into the past. A Unitarian Universalist archive documents the history of a church, its values, and how the congregation has contributed to social justice, spirituality, and community-building over time.
What are the UU Lansing Archives?
The UU Lansing Archives contain the records of the UU Lansing church, which are located in two places: at our church building and the Michigan State University (MSU) Archives. In the 1980s, some of the church's oldest records, primarily related to the First Universalist Church of Lansing, were donated to MSU for preservation. Information about these records can be found here.
The archives at the church building are located in a small space in the workshop in the west wing. They offer a unique insight into the life and evolution of this spiritual community. There are approximately 55 cubic feet of processed materials and two file cabinets. These archives preserve over a century of memories, decisions, and actions that have shaped UU Lansing into the welcoming, dynamic place it is today.
What’s in the Archives?
The UU Lansing Archives document the growth and activities of the church from its inception to the present. These records include materials from the First Universalist Church of Lansing, Unitarian Fellowship of East Lansing, All Souls Church of Lansing, and Unitarian Universalist Church of Lansing.
You’ll find everything from historical church records, newsletters, and board minutes to photos of congregational events, sermons, and pledge drives. These documents provide insight into UU Lansing’s history and reflect broader social and cultural shifts within Lansing, Michigan, and the Unitarian Universalist tradition as a whole.
Here are just a few examples of what you can uncover in the archives:
Pledge Drives and Fundraisers: Some of my past blog posts contained information from our archives and documented UU Lansing raising funds during tough economic times and celebrating community success!
Congregational Leadership: Records on how the church’s leadership has evolved through documents like board meeting minutes, which highlight key decisions that helped the church grow, including building expansions, social justice initiatives, and the fostering of inclusive religious programming.
Social Justice Movements: UU Lansing has a long history of advocacy for social justice. Archives detailing the church’s involvement in the civil rights movement, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental sustainability, and interfaith cooperation serve as a reminder of the congregation’s commitment to putting faith into action.
Why Are the Archives Important?
The UU Lansing Archives aren’t just a collection of old papers and photographs—they are a living record of a church that has always sought to align its actions with its values. Historically, they help us understand how the church responded to both local and national events.
For example, the congregation’s early efforts to promote civil rights, advocate for women’s reproductive rights, or support LGBTQ+ individuals offer valuable lessons in persistence, courage, and faith-based activism. By preserving these stories, the archives help inspire future generations of UUs to continue that work.
Additionally, the archives provide members and researchers a way to explore the evolution of church practices, theology, and community engagement over time. It’s a meaningful way to see how UU principles—such as the inherent worth and dignity of every person or the pursuit of social justice—have been applied in different contexts.
How to Access the Archives
Thanks to the dedicated church members and friends, the UU Lansing Archives is mostly processed and can be accessed using finding aids linked at the archives website. Inquiries regarding access to the physical archives, located at the church, can be requested by contacting us at uucgl.archives@gmail.com. Access to materials held by MSU should be directed to archives@msu.edu.
How You Can Help
You can help preserve UU Lansing’s history by donating relevant materials—old programs, letters, photographs, or anything else that helps tell the story of UU Lansing and its members and friends. Whether through committee work, event planning or participation, or your own experience as a member or friend, your contributions help keep the history alive.
Why It Matters
The archives are more than just a collection of documents—they are a testament to the power of community. They remind us that our church is built on the foundation of those who came before us – people who faced their challenges and triumphs and whose commitment to UU values shaped the church we know today 175 years later.
As you reflect on UU Lansing’s journey, take pride in knowing that you are a part of this ongoing story. Whether through attending services, volunteering, or contributing your own experiences, your involvement matters—and it just might find its way into the archives someday.
I hope you enjoyed this post about the archives! I’ve been using the ChatGPT AI tool to help with my posts. For more information about the archives, using AI, corrections, or to suggest a topic for the archives’ blog, feel free to contact uucgl.archives@gmail.com.
Images:
Photos taken by Ed Busch of the current archives space at UU Lansing.
