Mesilla Valley Christian Church papers
Collection
Identifier: Ms-0115
Scope and Content
Although there are a few items from the Mesilla Valley Christian Church's predecessor churches, most of the collection items are from after the church's 1960 establishment. The bulk of the items cover Lee G. Hobert's ministry from 1960-1976, including correspondence pertaining to some of Hobert's personal activities. A large portion of the collection is church financial records, although there are also correspondence files, Sunday School attendance books, bulletins and newsletters. Included in the organizational papers series are the by-laws of the church as well as brief histories of the First Christian and the Community Christian Churches. Also included in this series are meeting minutes and yearbook from 1961-1962 and 1965 and 1968. Correspondence is largely from Lee G. Hobert's ministry, although there are a number of items from previous years. Most documents preceding Hobert's arrival are membership transferral letters and other church roll related business. A substantial part of the later correspondence is Hobert's and although related to his ministry not necessarily specifically involving the Mesilla Valley Christian Church. As a former evangelist, Hobert made yearly evangelic trips and considerable correspondence documents preparation for such crusades. Hobert was also active in ecumenical activities in New Mexico, so there is correspondence between him and clergy of other denominations concerning common goals. Being an active minister within his own denomination, the Disciples of Christ, Hobert exchanged numerous letters with fellow ministers about developments and policy decisions within the sect. Of particular importance is the 1968 conflict on restructure that arose as a result of resolutions passed at the 1967 Atlanta convention. Besides ministerial activities, Hobert was involved in several community action groups. In addition to the East Las Cruces Community Center, Hobert was actively involved in H.E.L.P. and the Postal Academy, Inc. Little correspondence in the collection is from after Hobert's resignation of the church's ministry. Most of the church correspondence, not specifically relating to Hobert's activities, is financial correspondence and is contained in the financial records series. (Vena Cronwell, the church secretary wrote most of these letters). Besides business correspondence, the bookkeeping records of the church have been retained. Payments were recorded on Account Payable Vouchers and Petty Cash envelopes. These have been preserved but the accompanying invoices and receipts have been examined for importance and removed from the collection because of limited long term research value. Both the business correspondence and the account sheets and ledgers basically cover Hobert's ministry. Further documentation of the church's financial situation are contained in budgetary reports, dating from 1956-1976. Specific items contained in the financial records series include insurance policies, tax records and payroll deduction plans, plus paving receipts and items from the Southwestern Abstract and Title Company concerning title changes of church property. Not all materials in the financial series is open to researchers. Stewardship records and other items referring to individuals contributions are restricted materials and not available for general use. Additionally, recent financial records, including bank statements, receipts ledgers, and deposit books (1974-present) have been restricted until no longer current. (Beyond the 7 year liability period). Sunday School attendance records are included in the Sunday School and Program series. Other programs, filed by name in this segment include the accredited kindergarten program, church program evaluation surveys, items from the 1950 state convention held in Las Cruces and correspondence relating to the East Las Cruces Community Center, 1965-1973. Included in this series is the preliminary correspondence and final program of "One Man's Ministry," the church's celebration in 1970 of Lee Hobert's twenty hears in the ministry and ten years of services to the Mesilla Valley Church. Significant correspondence in the file include important church officials and fellow clergy, as well as important civic leaders like Roger B. Corbett, Hugh Milton II and the Mayor of Las Cruces. There are also files on ministerial recruitment and reconciliation and outreach programs of the church. Weekly Sunday reports from 1960-1967 and from 1964-1965 list Sunday attendance and offerings, significant events, membership additions and transfers, sermon topics, guest speakers and the names of soloists and songs sung during worship services. A final series consists of Sunday bulletins and newsletters. Also included in this series are calendars of events and a guest register. There are a few issues of the "New Mexico Christian" but most of the newsletters were the church's own publication, which was printed sporadically. There is also a sporadic run of Sunday bulletins. In addition to a few surviving bulletins from 1949 and 1956, there is fairly complete run from 1957-1958. After 1958 there is a gap of bulletins until 1968, for which there are several bulletins. In 1970, a continuous run of church bulletins exists until early January 1975.
Dates
- 1946 - 1978
Access and Use Restrictions
This material may be examined by researchers under supervised conditions in the Search Room.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with copyright and other applicable statutes.
Copyrights associated with this collection have not been transferred and assigned to New Mexico State University.
Copyrights associated with this collection have not been transferred and assigned to New Mexico State University.
Historical Sketch
The Mesilla Valley Christian Church was formed by the merger of two earlier Las Cruces Christian churches, the First Christian Church and the Community Christian Church. Founded in 1914, the First Christian Church split in two in 1956 and the Community Christian Church was formed. Reconciliation of the two churches occurred in 1960 and the Mesilla Valley Christian Church was established, with the congregation moving into new building on El Paseo Road in 1960. Following the reconciliation, Reverend Lee G. Hobert became the church's first pastor. Serving in the capacity from 1960-1976, Hobert was the driving force in many church activities. Besides the usual church activities, Mesilla Valley Christian Church was involved in a number of community centered programs, such as the East Las Cruces Community Center, a social center directed toward the Spanish-speaking community. Other programs supported by the Church included the United Campus Ministry at NMSU and the Dona Ana Council of Churches. Reverend George F. Brown succeeded Hobert as the church's pastor in 1976.
Extent
8 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Organizational papers; correspondence; financial records; including financial reports, budgets, insurance records, ledgers, petty cash and accounts payable vouchers, class attendance books from Sunday School and other items from various church programs; bulletins and newsletters from the Mesilla Valley Christian Church in Las Cruces. Includes four boxes of restricted financial records.
Acquisition
- Gift of Monroe Billington, January 1976
- Gift of Monroe Billington, August 1978
- Gift of M.V.C.C., August 1975
- Three items gift of Monroe Billington, April 25, 1977
- Title
- Guide to the Mesilla Valley Christian Church papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Roxanne Merritt and Merleen Dibert
- Date
- 2002
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Repository Details
Part of the New Mexico State University Library Archives and Special Collections Repository