Collection

Metropolitan Community Church of Charleston, South Carolina Records

Span Dates: 1990-2009
Bulk Dates:
Volume: 1 linear foot

Description

Collection consists of the records of the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) of Charleston, a Christian church that welcomes members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community, from 1990-2009. The records include three binders containing monthly board of directors and semi-annual congregational meeting minutes, financial records, bylaws, policies, and correspondence. Materials have been removed from their original housings and moved into folders. Original order has been kept and the materials are primarily in reverse chronological order. Meeting minutes often discuss church activities like the 25th anniversary celebration in 2006, operation of the ongoing church food bank, and fundraisers for Lowcountry AIDS Services (now known as Palmetto Community Care) through 2005. There is also significant discussion of the church's purchase of the property at 7860 Dorchester Road in North Charleston, South Carolina, in 1997. Congregational meeting minutes contain significant documentation of the disaffiliation from UFMCC vote in June 2003, including ballots and persuasion papers. Also included are assorted photographs of church activities and a 25th anniversary program.

Hist/Bio Note

The Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) of Charleston was founded in 1981 as a mission of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC). UFMCC was founded in 1968 as a Protestant church that fully welcomes LGBTQ members. In its history, MCC Charleston has had several pastors and periods of lay leadership. Rev. Stan Harris was the first pastor, from 1981 to 1985. Other pastors include: Rev. Frank Lail (1985-1987), Rev. Jim Martin (1987-1989), Rev. Mary Moore (1990-1998), Rev. Wilhelmina Hein (2000-2003), Rev. Tommy Hutson (2003-2006), and Rev. Terri Steed (2007). Since its foundation the church has resided in several locations, starting in downtown Charleston in 1981 at the Tango Club, a Society Street bar, before sharing space with the Circular Congregational Church on Meeting Street from 1982 to 1984. The church was then located at 69 Cannon Street from 1984 to 1986. The congregation then moved to North Charleston, where it was located at 4583-F Durant Avenue from 1986 to 1991, and several different suites at 2010 Hawthorne Street from 1991 to 1997. In 1997 the church acquired a permanent home at 7860 Dorchester Road. In June 2003, MCC conducted a vote on whether or not to disaffiliate from UFMCC. The vote did not reach the 80% threshold required for disaffiliation. In October of the same year, many members left to found the Open Door Church.

Finding Aid

An online finding aid is available.
https://findingaids.library.cofc.edu/repositories/2/resources/64

Location

This collection is at College of Charleston - Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library.
https://cofc.edu/academics/libraries/

Tags

MCC | South Carolina