Unitarian Church of Underwood, Underwood, Minnesota (S860)

1880s-1977 

Historical Sketch

The Unitarian Church of Underwood, Otter Tail County, Minnesota, was founded in 1889 by Kristofer Janson, a Norwegian author and reformer, who immigrated to the United States in 1881. Mr. Janson became a Unitarian missionary to the Scandinavians in the Midwest. He also established Unitarian congregations in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Hanska, all in Minnesota, and also in Hudson, Wisconsin. The Underwood Church immediately affiliated with the American Unitarian Association, Boston, Massachusetts. It was known as the Free Christian Church until 1965, when the congregation changed the name to the Unitarian Church of Underwood.

Church services were originally held in a building called the Union Hall. The congregation purchased this building in 1892 and continues to use it.

Collection Description

The collection consists of two reels of microfilm. The secretary’s record books contain lists of trustees or directors in addition to minutes and reports. Many of the reports are in Norwegian 

Inventory

Reel 1

• Correspondence and Miscellaneous Papers. 1948-49, 1956-65, undated
• Volume 1 Union Hall Record Book. 1880s-1904
• Volume 2 Church Register
• Baptisms. 1906, 1920-38
• Burials. 1906, 1910s, 1921-38
• Confirmations. 1920s-30s
• Day Register. 1906, 1919-28
• Marriages. 1924-35
• Volume 3 Membership Record Book. 1944-45, 1959, 1971-77
• Volumes 4-7 Secretary’s Record Books. 1889-1976
• Volumes 8-9 Treasurer’s Record Books. 1892-1916, 1922-70 

Reel 2

• Volume 10 Treasurer’s Record Book. 1969-77
• Volume 11 Treasurer’s Annual Financial Statements. 1945-77
• Volumes12-13 Young People’s Religious Union Minute Books. 1923-45
• Volume 14 Young People’s Religious Union Treasurer’s Record Book. 1923-45
• Volume 15 Religious Education [Sunday School] Minute Book. 1940-44
• Volume 16 Women’s Alliance Minute Book. 1911-21
• Volume 17 Junior Alliance Minute Book. 1934-35