Tracing Our Roots: What Annual Reports Reveal About Our Church’s Journey
By Ed Busch, Church Archivist
This week, I’m continuing to explore one of our most important historical records—the annual report. More than just numbers and names, these documents offer fascinating glimpses into our evolving community, values, and leadership.
For this post, I’ve pulled three reports from key moments in our past—1933, 1950, and 1958. Together, they show not only how we worshipped, served, and organized ourselves, but also how we grew through times of transition, financial difficulties, and eventual merger.
1933: Weathering the Great Depression
The 1933 report, submitted by Mildred Devis (spelling uncertain), reflects the resilience of our congregation during hard times. Then known as the First Universalist Church of Lansing, we had no permanent building and met in shared spaces like the Lansing Woman’s Club and the YWCA.
Key stats and leadership:
· 160 resident members, with 11 new additions
· 125 families connected to the congregation
· Rev. Roscoe A. Walters (minister since 1932)
· Charles Smith, Chairman of Trustees
Rev. Roscoe Walters, date unknown. bms_1446, Andover-Harvard Theological Library.
Church life included:
· Sunday School with 6 officers and 9 teachers, 90 members of the school led by Superintendent Helen Cawood
· Senior Young People’s Christian Union (Y.P.C.U.). (23 members, led by Keith Nelson)
· Mission Circle (10 members, led by Mrs. W. J. Trachsel)
· Universalist Guild (15 women members)
· Boy Scouts of America troop for boys aged 11–18
Despite limited resources, the report reflects a modest but vibrant church anchored by youth, women’s leadership, and community spirit.
1950: The Creyts House Era
Seventeen years later, the church was still known as the First Universalist Church of Lansing but had found a home at the historic Creyts House, 831 N. Washington Ave. (Still standing today—featured in my June 2024 post.)
Report prepared by: Elizabeth S. Laidlaw, Church Secretary
Leadership and worship:
· Rev. Morley Hartley, minister
· Hymnbook: Hymns of the Spirit
· 125 members across 65 families
· 4 new members, 5 losses, 3 christenings, and 4 weddings
Active groups:
· Universalist Youth Federation (UYF) – 8 members
· Association of Universalist Women (AUW)
Financial highlights:
· Church building valued at $22,000 (deeded to the state convention)
· Minister’s salary: $2,400 + $645 for utilities
· Year-end cash on hand: $568.78
This period shows modest financial security, a steady membership, and an ongoing emphasis on youth and women’s programming.
1958: A New Name, A New Chapter
The 1958 report marks a turning point: the local merger of the First Universalist Church of Lansing and the Unitarian Fellowship of East Lansing, forming the Universalist Unitarian Church of Greater Lansing (a few years ahead of the 1961 national merger).
Report prepared by: Nancy Lovitt, Church Secretary
Snapshot of a growing congregation:
· 281 individuals across 125 families
· Minister: Rev. Gerald K. Wyman (since 1956)
· President: Henry C. Dykema
· Church home: 1229 Prospect St.
· Paid staff: musical director, organist, janitor
Rev. Gerald Wyman, date unknown. bms_1446, Andover-Harvard Theological Library.
Membership details:
· 160 official members (per bylaws)
· 66 children in church school
· 55 additional members connected through other groups
Organizational life:
· AUW: 20 members (President: Miss Bessie McCree)
· Young Adults: 25 members (met at MSU)
· Beacon Fellowship: 4 members
Church property value:
· Main church: $47,200
· Parish house: $2,800
· Parsonage: $15,500
Minister’s compensation:
· Salary: $4,320
· Utilities: $600
· General Assembly: $100
· Transportation: $300
1229 Prospect St., Lansing, MI church building, 1972. UUCGL Archives, 2007.0133.
Life milestones:
· 3 christenings
· 3 weddings
· 5 funerals
Pledging:
· 80 regular contributors
· $10,500 pledged for the year
This report paints a picture of expansion, identity formation, and a more professionalized church—ready to meet the next chapter with purpose and momentum.
Conclusion: Our Legacy in the Details
Annual reports may look like administrative paperwork, but they hold stories of resilience, reinvention, and resolve. From rented space meetings during the Depression to a flourishing merged congregation, these pages show how we’ve shaped—and been shaped by—the times.
Our history reminds us that community isn't just built on shared beliefs, but on the steady efforts of generations. What they recorded, we now reflect on—and continue.
Let me know if you have stories to add or questions about our archives. I’d love to hear from you at uucgl.archives@gmail.com.
[With editing support from ChatGPT AI.]
Sources:
Annual Reports, 1933, 1950, 1958, UU Lansing Archives.
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About the Author
Hi, I’m Ed Busch, the writer behind these blog posts exploring the history of UU Lansing. After retiring in 2023 from a 15-year career as an Electronic Records Archivist at Michigan State University’s Archives & Historical Collections, I’m thrilled to dedicate my time to sharing our church’s rich history.
I hold a Master’s in Library and Information Science, specializing in archival administration, and my academic background also includes a degree in Fisheries and coursework in Computer Science. Before shifting to a career in archives, I worked across diverse fields, including fisheries, aerospace, and IT.
My wife, Leigh White, and I have been part of the UU Lansing community since the early 2000s and became members in 2006. I’ve been actively involved with the church archives since 2007, and both of our daughters enjoyed growing up in UU Lansing’s Religious Education (RE) program.
I look forward to connecting with you through these blog posts as we delve into the stories that have shaped UU Lansing over the years.