Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church (Beavercreek, Ohio) Records

The Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church Records document the inner workings of a church. Through these papers, researchers may gain insight into the activities of church members during the 1950s until 2011.

Series I, Administrative Records, is divided into four subseries. The subseries contain information pertaining to the general operation of the church, from the constitution, financial records, correspondence, and the many board and committee meeting minutes.

Subseries IA, General Information, contains correspondence that led to the formation of the church, the adopted constitution, bylaws, and resolutions. Also included are the church directories that contain the member's photograph, along with other correspondence sent and received. The church's financial information, such as balance sheets, financial summaries, and financial policy handbooks are also included in this series. From 1967, to the 1980s, the financial summaries were published each month. In the 1980s, the financial summaries were replaced by the financial secretary's report, which is located in subseries IB. The annual report details church finances, reports from the various boards and committees, and the goals for the upcoming year. Along with a guest book from 1957, there are assorted items relating to the church's anniversaries.

Subseries IB, Congregational and Annual Congregational Meeting Minutes, are arranged into two categories: Congregational Meeting Minutes and the Annual Congregational Meeting Minutes. The congregational meetings addressed subjects like, but not limited to, issues, goals, building expansions, and budget concerns. There were special meeting throughout the years, mostly concerned with building expansion and budget issues. The annual congregational meeting minutes detail upcoming activities for the year, long range goals, and finances.

Subseries IC, Church Council and Financial Secretary Meeting Minutes, are arranged into two categories: Church Council Meeting Minutes and the Financial Secretaries Meeting Minutes. The church council began meeting with the formation of the church and continued to 2011. The council had a few name changes with different administrations, but are all organized under the heading of church council. The church council oversaw the various boards and committees and reported back to the congregation. The financial secretary reported sporadically in the 1970s, but became regular in the 80s, and ended in 1993.

Subseries ID, Board and Committee Meeting Minutes, detail the many boards and committees. Initially when the church council met, board members attended and gave their report; therefore the council and board minutes were on the same sheets. In the 1980s, board minutes were separated from one report and created separately. The different boards are: Education, Evangelism, Deacon, Property, Community Service, Congregational Care, Fellowship, Lay Ministry, Worship, Stewardship, Youth, and Trustees. Committees were formed for different tasks, such as the call committee, or task forces were created for partnerships, like the Christ-Peace Partnership Task Force. Around 2005, more permanent committees were formed and meet regularly, like the personnel and executive committee.

Series II, Publications, contains church bulletins, newsletters, and church publications. The church printed bulletins alerting members to meeting times, activities, and retreats. There were weekly handouts given to members stating the schedule for the day. From 1960 to 1976 a monthly newsletter, "Tidings of Peace" was published. The church also published outreach material, welcome material, anniversary packets, and dedication flyers.

Series III, Photos and Scrapbook, contains photos from the 1950s to 2011. The photos range from church members, construction, activities, outreach, vacation bible school, camp, Sunday school, and missionary trips. The scrapbook is from 1987 to 1988 and contains pictures of the nursery, Sunday school class, confirmation class, and adult education class.