Collection 133 [February 26, 2001]
Chicago Gospel Tabernacle; 1922-1979
Records; 1952-1979
5 Boxes (RC; 5.5 cubic feet), Photographs
Restrictions
There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.
Historical Background
The Chicago Gospel Tabernacle grew out of an evangelistic campaign held by Rev. Paul Rader in 1922 at the corner of Clark, Halstead, and Barry, later moving to 825 Barry Avenue. The campaign drew such enthusiastic response and loyal supporters that the temporary wooden structure the meetings were held in became a permanent church. During Rader's pastorate, the Tabernacle began a very active outreach including radio programs, publications, support of several missions, Bible conferences, and some social work.
Special activities were sponsored by the Tabernacle members such as film showings, missionary speakers, evangelistic services, musical programs, and youth clubs. Designated offerings were also taken for the support of evangelism both at home and abroad.
Some of the men who pastored the Tabernacle included Paul Rader, Clarence Erickson, Wally White, and Douglas R. Fisher. Merrill Dunlop and Melvin W. Johnson also served as associate pastors for a time.
In 1979 the membership of the Tabernacle had dropped to only a handful. By written vote of the
membership it was decided to disband the fellowship permanently. Provisions were made for the
continued support of some missionaries by the terms of a trust fund.
Scope and Content
Materials relating to the Chicago Gospel Tabernacle document part of the church's history from 1954 to 1979. Several types of records are found in the collection such as photographs, negatives, correspondence, financial reports, church bulletins, newspaper clippings, and form letters.
Several folders contain financial records and reports of the congregation. Data may be obtained from accounting records (folders 1-1 to 1-8), bank ledgers and statements (folders 3-34 to 4-19), and receipts from mission organizations (folders 4-26 to 4-39). The weekly cash reports gave detailed accounts of each week's offering with indications of special designated funds.
Tabernacle organizational material may also be found in the collection. Folders 3-3 to 3-5 contain church bond notes; church deeds (folders 3-8 to 3-11); constitution and by-laws (folder 3-14); and the congregation's Declaration of Faith in folder 3-28. Material found in the Declaration of Faith includes a statement of faith, explanation of church doctrine, organization of church government, and responsibilities of church membership.
Another small section of records may be found in folders 3-15 to 3-27 containing correspondence mainly from the 1965-1966 fiscal year. Material includes letters to the pastor, plans for future speakers and events at the Tabernacle, and news from missionaries the Tabernacle supported.
A large portion of Tabernacle records are classified under the monthly miscellaneous series
(folders 3-40 to 5-60). These folders were monthly compilations of church bulletins, newsletters
called Tabernacle Echoes, form letters to church members and workers, announcements of
special events, and scattered sermons. Newspaper clippings (folders 5-61 to 5-76) were gathered
together and refoldered under one general category. Most of the clippings were Tabernacle ads
placed in local newspapers.
*****
Provenance
The materials in this collection were received by the Center in April 1980.
Accession 80-51
September 8, 1980
Mary Ann Buffington
G. Lynch
S. Kouns
LOCATION RECORD
Accession 80-51
Type of material: Negatives
The following items are located in the NEGATIVE FILE. Request by the boldfaced folder
title at the beginning of each entry below.
CHICAGO GOSPEL TABERNACLE. General photographs. 3 b&w.
FISHER, DOUGLAS. 2 b&w.
JOHNSON, MEL. 1 b&w.
JUDSON, REUBEN AND MARY. 1 b&w.
*****
LOCATION RECORD
Accession 80-51
Type of material: Photographs
The following items are located in the PHOTO FILE. Request by the boldfaced folder title
at the beginning of each entry below.
ANTHONY, DICK. 1 b&w.
AVALONE, RONNIE. 1 b&w.
BOMBAY, INDIA. 1 b&w.
CHICAGO GOSPEL TABERNACLE - CHOIR. 1 b&w.
CHICAGO GOSPEL TABERNACLE - GENERAL. 45 b&w.
EVANS, ROBERT P. 1 b&w.
FALKENBERG, DON R. 2 b&w.
FISHER, DOUGLAS. 6 b&w.
GRAHAM, WILLIAM FRANKLIN. 1 b&w.
HAMBLEN, STUART. 1 b&w.
HARDING, BETTE. 1 b&w.
JENKINS, JOE AND MARLENE. 1 b&w.
JOHNSON, ART. 1 b&w.
JOHNSON, ERNEST. 2 b&w.
JOHNSON, MEL. 3 b&w.
JUDSON, REUBEN AND MARY. 2 b&w.
KENBORIZI HOSPITAL. 1 b&w.
KILLMAN, RUSSELL. 2 b&w.
KROH, DEAN F. 2 b&w.
LOPEZ, RAMON. 2 b&w.
MACARIO, ANASTASIA. 1 b&w.
MARSHALL, JACK. 1 b&w.
NADER, ESTHER FAITH. 1 b&w.
OSTERWIND, ED. 1 b&w.
PALERMO BROTHERS. 1 b&w.
PEARCE, BILL. 1 b&w.
PETTICORD, DR. 1 b&w.
PIERCE, BOB 3 b&w.
PLATT, EDITH K. 2 b&w.
RADER, PAUL 1 b&w.
RIVERA, DULCINEA. 1 b&w.
RODRIQUEZ, GABRIEL. 1 b&w.
ROJAS, GUSTAVO. 1 b&w.
ROJAS, JUSTINO. 1 b&w.
ROSELL, MERV. 5 b&w.
SORENSON, ED. 1 b&w.
SWANSON, GORDON. 2 b&w.
WEATHERLY, JOE. 2 b&w.
WHITE, WALLY. 1 b&w.
WOLGEMUTH, SAM. 1 b&w.
CONTAINER LIST
| Box | Folder | Folder title | ||
| Accounting Records | ||||
| 1 | 1 | October 1959 - September 1963 | ||
| 1 | 2 | October 1963 - September 1964 | ||
| 1 | 3 | October 1964 - September 1965 | ||
| 1 | 4 | October 1965 - September 1966 | ||
| 1 | 5 | October 1966 - September 1967 | ||
| 1 | 6 | October 1967 - September 1968 | ||
| 1 | 7 | 1969-1978 | ||
| 1 | 8 | October 1970 - September 1971 | ||
| 1 | 9 | Appraisal Papers for Church Property; 1949-1957 | ||
| 1 | 10 | Attendance Records, Sunday School; November 21, 1965 - January 2, 1966 | ||
| 1 | 11 | Audit Report; 1953 | ||
| 1 | 12 | Auditor's Report; 1955-1957 | ||
| Awana Girls Club | ||||
| 1 | 13 | "One Night In Bethlehem," Program and Music; n.d. | ||
| 1 | 14 | Skit Script; November 1965 | ||
| Awana Youth Clubs | ||||
| 1 | 15 | Equipment List; n.d. | ||
| 1 | 16 | Games; November 1965 | ||
| 1 | 17 | Letterhead; n.d. | ||
| 1 | 18 | Memory Test Sheets; n.d. | ||
| 1 | 19 | Memory Work; n.d. | ||
| 1 | 20 | Reports; September28, 1964 - May 24, 1965 | ||
| Bank Ledgers: Regular Account | ||||
| 1 | 21 | 1954-1956 | ||
| 1 | 22 | 1955-1957 | ||
| Bank Statements | ||||
| 1 | 23 | Building Fund; August 1962 | ||
| 1 | 24 | Missions Account; October 1969 - September 1970 | ||
| 1 | 25 | Board of Trustees Member List; 1959-1980 | ||
| Bulletins | ||||
| 1 | 26 | October 1943 - October 22, 1944 | ||
| 1 | 27 | October29, 1944 - October 21, 1945 | ||
| 1 | 28 | October24, 1948 - October 16, 1949 | ||
| Cash Income | ||||
| 1 | 29 | Weekly Mail Income & Count; October 1, 1962 - February 24, 1963 | ||
| Weekly Reports | ||||
| 1 | 30 | January 1962 | ||
| 1 | 31 | February 1962 | ||
| 1 | 32 | March 1962 | ||
| 1 | 33 | April 1962 | ||
| 1 | 34 | May 1962 | ||
| 1 | 35 | June 1962 | ||
| 1 | 36 | July 1962 | ||
| 1 | 37 | August 1962 | ||
| 1 | 38 | September 1962 | ||
| 1 | 39 | March 1963 | ||
| 1 | 40 | April 1963 | ||
| 1 | 41 | May5, 1963 - September 29, 1963 | ||
| Cash Receipts | ||||
| 2 | 1 | October 1959 - September 1963 | ||
| 2 | 2 | July 1961 - June 1962 | ||
| 2 | 3 | June-October 1962 | ||
| 2 | 4 | October-December 1963 | ||
| 2 | 5 | January-February 1964 | ||
| 2 | 6 | March-May 1964 | ||
| 2 | 7 | June-September 1964 | ||
| 2 | 8 | October-December 1964 | ||
| 2 | 9 | January-March 1965 | ||
| 2 | 10 | April-June 1965 | ||
| 2 | 11 | July-September 1965 | ||
| 2 | 12 | October-December 1965 | ||
| 2 | 13 | January-March 1966 | ||
| 2 | 14 | April-June 1966 | ||
| 2 | 15 | July-September 1966 | ||
| 2 | 16 | October-December 1966 | ||
| 2 | 17 | January-March 1967 | ||
| 2 | 18 | April-June 1967 | ||
| 2 | 19 | July-September 1967 | ||
| 2 | 20 | November 1, 1967 - March 31, 1968 | ||
| 2 | 21 | April 7, 1968 - September 29, 1968 | ||
| 2 | 22 | October-December 1968 | ||
| 2 | 23 | January-March 1969 | ||
| 2 | 24 | April-June 1969 | ||
| 2 | 25 | July-September 1969 | ||
| 2 | 26 | October-December 1970 | ||
| 2 | 27 | January-March 1971 | ||
| 2 | 28 | April-June 1971 | ||
| 2 | 29 | July-September 1971 | ||
| 2 | 30 | Check Receipts; October 1961 - December 1963 | ||
| Check Stubs | ||||
| 2 | 31 | Missions Account; October 1967 - February 1969 | ||
| 2 | 32 | Missions Account; March 1969 - July 1970 | ||
| 2 | 33 | Regular Account; January 1968 - April 1969 | ||
| 2 | 34 | October22, 1956 - April20, 1961 | ||
| 3 | 1 | "Chicago Gospel Tabernacle," by Perry Clark Straw; 1963-1977 | ||
| 3 | 2 | Chicago Park District, Circuit Court Motion; May 1976 | ||
| Church Bonds | ||||
| 3 | 3 | Accounting Sheets and Noteholders; 1958-1960 | ||
| 3 | 4 | Correspondence; 1955-1971 | ||
| 3 | 5 | Ledger; 1940-1960 | ||
| Church Bulletins | ||||
| 3 | 6 | October 14, 1962 - February 1966 (scattered) | ||
| 3 | 7 | Filler Material; 1956-1965, n.d. | ||
| Church Deeds | ||||
| 3 | 8 | 1933-1937 | ||
| 3 | 9 | 1938-1940 | ||
| 3 | 10 | 1946-1958 | ||
| 3 | 11 | 1960-1961 | ||
| 3 | 12 | Church Directory; 1970 | ||
| 3 | 13 | Church Indebtedness: Note and Account; 1961-1968 | ||
| 3 | 14 | Constitution and By-Laws; n.d. | ||
| Correspondence, General | ||||
| 3 | 15 | 1961-1964 | ||
| 1965-1966 | ||||
| 3 | 16 | B | ||
| 3 | 17 | D | ||
| 3 | 18 | E | ||
| 3 | 19 | F | ||
| 3 | 20 | O | ||
| 3 | 21 | R | ||
| 3 | 22 | S | ||
| 3 | 23 | T | ||
| 3 | 24 | T; n.d. | ||
| 3 | 25 | U | ||
| 3 | 26 | W | ||
| 3 | 27 | X,Y,Z | ||
| 3 | 28 | Declaration of Faith; 1947 | ||
| 3 | 29 | Financial Journal; December27, 1955 - November22, 1957 | ||
| 3 | 30 | Forms: Sunday School Attendance Sheets; n.d. | ||
| Internal Revenue Service | ||||
| 3 | 31 | Return; 1963-1971 | ||
| 3 | 32 | Withholding; 1961-1963 | ||
| 3 | 33 | Inventory of Church Band Music; n.d. | ||
| Invoices Paid | ||||
| 3 | 34 | 1961 | ||
| 3 | 35 | 1962 | ||
| 3 | 36 | 1963 | ||
| 3 | 37 | 1964 | ||
| 3 | 38 | 1965 | ||
| 1965-1970 | ||||
| 3 | 39 | A | ||
| 3 | 40 | B | ||
| 4 | 1 | C | ||
| 4 | 2 | Club | ||
| 4 | 3 | G | ||
| 4 | 4 | H | ||
| 4 | 5 | I | ||
| 4 | 6 | Internal Revenue Service | ||
| 4 | 7 | J | ||
| 4 | 8 | L | ||
| 4 | 9 | M | ||
| 4 | 10 | N | ||
| 4 | 11 | P | ||
| 4 | 12 | Petty Cash | ||
| 4 | 13 | Q | ||
| 4 | 14 | R | ||
| 4 | 15 | S | ||
| 4 | 16 | Spanish Church | ||
| 4 | 17 | T | ||
| 4 | 18 | V | ||
| 4 | 19 | W | ||
| 4 | 20 | Letterhead and Envelopes: Miscellaneous Samples; n.d. | ||
| 4 | 21 | Letterhead for Success Motivation Courses; n.d. | ||
| 4 | 22 | Membership Application; n.d. | ||
| 4 | 23 | Membership in the Young People's Department; n.d. | ||
| 4 | 24 | Minutes: Membership and Balloting; 1970 | ||
| 4 | 25 | Missionary Acknowledgements: Correspondence; 1961-1968 | ||
| Missionary Receipts | ||||
| 4 | 26 | Campus Crusade; 1964-1968 | ||
| 4 | 27 | The Christian and Missionary Alliance; 1962 | ||
| 4 | 28 | Conservative Baptist Haiti Mission; 1963-1970 | ||
| 4 | 29 | The Evangelical Alliance Mission; 1963-1969 | ||
| 4 | 30 | Gospel Missionary Union; 1963-1970 | ||
| 4 | 31 | Heaven and Home Hour; 1970 | ||
| 4 | 32 | Hundred Nations Crusade, Inc.; 1969-1970 | ||
| 4 | 33 | Inter-Church Ministries, Inc.; 1965-1970 | ||
| 4 | 34 | Miscellaneous; 1964-1968 | ||
| 4 | 35 | Missionary Aviation Fellowship; 1966-1968 | ||
| 4 | 36 | Pacific Garden Mission; 1970 | ||
| 4 | 37 | Sudan United Missions; 1966-1968 | ||
| 4 | 38 | United World Missions; 1961-1970 | ||
| 4 | 39 | Wycliffe Bible Translators; 1964-1970 | ||
| Monthly Miscellaneous | ||||
| 4 | 40 | June 1954 | ||
| 4 | 41 | July 1954 | ||
| 4 | 42 | August 1954 | ||
| 4 | 43 | September 1954 | ||
| 4 | 44 | October 1954 | ||
| 4 | 45 | November 1954 | ||
| 4 | 46 | December 1954 | ||
| 4 | 47 | January 1955 | ||
| 4 | 48 | February 1955 | ||
| 4 | 49 | March 1955 | ||
| 4 | 50 | May 1955 | ||
| 4 | 51 | June 1955 | ||
| 4 | 52 | July 1955 | ||
| 4 | 53 | August 1955 | ||
| 4 | 54 | September 1955 | ||
| 4 | 55 | October 1955 | ||
| 4 | 56 | November 1955 | ||
| 4 | 57 | December 1955 | ||
| 4 | 58 | January 1956 | ||
| 4 | 59 | February 1956 | ||
| 4 | 60 | March 1956 | ||
| 4 | 61 | April 1956 | ||
| 4 | 62 | May 1956 | ||
| 4 | 63 | June 1956 | ||
| 4 | 64 | July 1956 | ||
| 4 | 65 | August 1956 | ||
| 4 | 66 | September 1956 | ||
| 4 | 67 | October 1956 | ||
| 4 | 68 | November 1956 | ||
| 4 | 69 | December 1956 | ||
| 4 | 70 | January 1957 | ||
| 4 | 71 | February 1957 | ||
| 4 | 72 | March 1957 | ||
| 4 | 73 | April 1957 | ||
| 4 | 74 | May 1957 | ||
| 4 | 75 | June 1957 | ||
| 4 | 76 | July 1957 | ||
| 4 | 77 | August 1957 | ||
| 4 | 78 | September 1957 | ||
| 4 | 79 | October 1957 | ||
| 4 | 80 | November 1957 | ||
| 4 | 81 | December 1957 | ||
| 5 | 1 | January 1958 | ||
| 5 | 2 | February 1958 | ||
| 5 | 3 | March 1958 | ||
| 5 | 4 | April 1958 | ||
| 5 | 5 | May 1958 | ||
| 5 | 6 | June 1958 | ||
| 5 | 7 | July 1958 | ||
| 5 | 8 | August 1958 | ||
| 5 | 9 | September 1958 | ||
| 5 | 10 | October 1958 | ||
| 5 | 11 | November 1958 | ||
| 5 | 12 | December 1958 | ||
| 5 | 13 | January 1959 | ||
| 5 | 14 | February 1959 | ||
| 5 | 15 | March 1959 | ||
| 5 | 16 | April 1959 | ||
| 5 | 17 | May 1959 | ||
| 5 | 18 | June 1959 | ||
| 5 | 19 | July 1959 | ||
| 5 | 20 | August 1959 | ||
| 5 | 21 | September 1959 | ||
| 5 | 22 | October 1959 | ||
| 5 | 23 | November 1959 | ||
| 5 | 24 | December 1959 | ||
| 5 | 25 | January 1960 | ||
| 5 | 26 | February 1960 | ||
| 5 | 27 | March 1960 | ||
| 5 | 28 | April 1960 | ||
| 5 | 29 | May 1960 | ||
| 5 | 30 | June 1960 | ||
| 5 | 31 | July 1960 | ||
| 5 | 32 | August 1960 | ||
| 5 | 33 | October 1960 | ||
| 5 | 34 | November 1960 | ||
| 5 | 35 | December 1960 | ||
| 5 | 36 | January 1961 | ||
| 5 | 37 | February 1961 | ||
| 5 | 38 | March 1961 | ||
| 5 | 39 | April 1961 | ||
| 5 | 40 | May 1961 | ||
| 5 | 41 | June 1961 | ||
| 5 | 42 | July 1961 | ||
| 5 | 43 | August 1961 | ||
| 5 | 44 | September 1961 | ||
| 5 | 45 | October 1961 | ||
| 5 | 46 | November 1961 | ||
| 5 | 47 | December 1961 | ||
| 5 | 48 | January 1962 | ||
| 5 | 49 | February 1962 | ||
| 5 | 50 | March 1962 | ||
| 5 | 51 | April 1962 | ||
| 5 | 52 | May 1962 | ||
| 5 | 53 | June 1962 | ||
| 5 | 54 | July 1962 | ||
| 5 | 55 | August 1962 | ||
| 5 | 56 | September 1962 | ||
| 5 | 57 | October 1962 | ||
| 5 | 58 | November 1962 | ||
| 5 | 59 | December 1962 | ||
| 5 | 60 | April 1963 | ||
| Newspaper Clippings | ||||
| 5 | 61 | October-December 1954 | ||
| 5 | 62 | January-August 1955 | ||
| 5 | 63 | September-December 1955 | ||
| 5 | 64 | January-February 1956 | ||
| 5 | 65 | March-April 1956 | ||
| 5 | 66 | May-September 1956 | ||
| 5 | 67 | October-December 1956 | ||
| 5 | 68 | January-March 1957 | ||
| 5 | 69 | April-June 1957 | ||
| 5 | 70 | July-September 1957 | ||
| 5 | 71 | October-December 1957 | ||
| 5 | 72 | January-April 1958 | ||
| 5 | 73 | May-August 1958 | ||
| 5 | 74 | September-December 1958 | ||
| 5 | 75 | January-December 1959 | ||
| 5 | 76 | 1960-1963 | ||
| 5 | 77 | Pioneer Gospel Broadcasting: Heaven and Home Hour 46th Anniversary Souvenir; 1977 | ||
| Scripts | ||||
| 5 | 78 | Miscellaneous Plays; n.d. | ||
| 5 | 79 | "The Greatest Gift;" n.d. | ||
| 5 | 80 | Station Wagon Papers; 1958-1959 | ||
| Treasurer's Reports | ||||
| 5 | 81 | Annual Report; September30, 1969 | ||
| 5 | 82 | Monthly Report; December 1962 | ||
| 5 | 83 | 1955-1962 | ||
| 5 | 84 | Visitation Lists; n.d. | ||
| 5 | 85 | Visitation Assignment Form; n.d. | ||