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Local History and Special Collections Branch, Alexandria Library
717 Queen StreetThe records are available on microfilm.
[Item identification], Roberts United Methodist Church Records, MS048, Alexandria Library, Local History/Special Collections, Alexandria, Va.
In 1830, African American members of the Trinity Methodist Church decided to form their own congregation. They formed the Methodist Episcopal Church which became more firmly established with the building of a chapel in 1834. This chapel, named the Davis Chapel, after a white minister, was renamed the Roberts Chapel in 1844 giving the congregation its current name. Until the Civil War, white ministers led the church, but after 1866 African Americans have filled the pulpit.
The original collection consisted of a variety of record books and other loose materials. The books recorded the attendance at the Sunday School as well as more general church events, such as a list of contributors or the events of the quarterly conferences on the condition of the church. Of particular interest to historians of the church may be the notes of the pastors in the front of the Comprehensive Church Record (folder 6) which record some of the financial and congregational struggles of the church between 1893 to 1905. Genealogists may well want to search the same Record for the names of members during this same period.
The records are divided into two series: I. Sunday School Records, arranged chronologically. II. Other Church Records and Miscellaneous Materials, arranged chronologically.
Originals are still held at the Roberts United Methodist Church.
Attendance Records; Minutes; Register of Officers, Male and Female Scholars, and Teachers; Financial Account; and Historical Account, 1887
Attendance Records
Attendance Records and Minutes
Attendance Records, Part 1 (Pages 1-77)
Attendance Records, Part 2 (pages 78-117)
Includes Historical Records with entries by pastors from 1893, 1891, 1895, 1900, 1905; Pastoral Records (1894-1906), Records of Officers (1899-1901), Probationer's Records (1894-1909), and Members in Full Connection with notes on expulsions, deaths, etc.
Includes "Official Roll of 1900-1901"; Reports from the Sunday School, the Epworth League, Junior League, Methodist Brotherhood, and the Ladies' Aid mostly from 1911; Financial Reports from 1913; Letters from 1889 to 1911.
Includes Minutes from May 3, 1911 through January 18, 1912, a letter from the president, G.N. Preston, March 7, 1913 complaining of the inactivity of the group, and a copy of the By-Laws of the District Epworth League.
No year appears in this record book. Using a perpetual calendar based on the dates of the Sundays for each month, it appears likely that these contributions came in the years 1921 and 1922. Since the record book itself appeared in 1918 as indicated by the words "1918 Edition" on the cover, it seemed likely that it was used sometime soon after that. The years 1921 and 1922 were the first possible. Other possible years included 1938/1939, 1949/1950, and 1960/1961, but it did not seem likely that the record book dates from those years. Researchers may want to verify this by checking the addresses of the members in city directories or other sources during the years 1921 and 1922.
"Heavenward"
"Welcome Songs for Sabbath Schools "(1880), "De Gospel Train" (1940), "Hide My Soul "(1943)