Before 1900 the major religious groups in Massachusetts were the Congregationalists, Roman Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, and Episcopalians. The Congregational Church was the predominant church until the end of the 18th century. Many church records were published with the town vital records (see the “Vital Records” section of this outline).

1889 Church Records. There is a list of the churches in each town, the date of organization, kinds of records kept, years covered, and condition of the records as of 1889 in Wright's Report on the Custody and Condition of the Public Records (see the “Archives and Libraries” section of this outline).

The Family History Library has many published and manuscript records of Baptist, Congregational, and Society of Friends congregations. A useful index of marriages recorded by early churches is:

Bailey, Frederic W. Early Massachusetts Marriages Prior to 1800. . . . 3 vols. in one, 1897–1914. Reprint, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1968. (FHL book 974.4 V2b; film 874200; fiche 6051393; computer number 107407.) This book has records of marriages for more than 111 towns.

Many denominations have collected their records into central repositories. You can write to the following addresses to learn where their records are located:

Baptist

American Baptist Historical Society
1106 S. Goodman Street
Rochester, NY 14620
Telephone: 716–474–1740

An informative history is:

Brush, John Woolman. Baptists in Massachusetts. Valley Forge, Pa.: Judson Press, 1970. (FHL book 974.4 K2bj; computer number 228361.)

Congregational

The Congregational Library
14 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02108
Telephone: 617–523–0470
Fax: 617–523–0491

A historical perspective is found in:

Goodwin, John A. The Pilgrim Republic: An Historical Review of the Colony of New Plymouth, with Sketches of Other New England Settlements, the History of Congregationalism, and the Creeds of the Period. Boston: Tickner, 1888. (FHL film 1465570; computer number 413251.)

Episcopal

The Diocesan Library and Archives
The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
138 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02108
Telephone: 617–482–4826, ext. 504
Fax: 617–482–8431

For histories of the Episcopal church see:

Duffy, Mark J., ed. The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts 1784-1984. [Boston]: Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, 1984. (FHL book 974.4 K2e; computer number 302388.)

Tyng, Dudley. Massachusetts Episcopalians, 1607-1957. [Boston]: Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, [1960]. (FHL book 974.4 K2t; computer number 46294.)

Society of Friends (Quakers)

Rhode Island Historical Society
121 Hope Street
Providence, RI 02906
Telephone: 401–331–8575
Fax: 401–751–7930

An informative history of Quakers in Massachusetts is:

Hallowell, Richard P. The Quaker Invasion of Massachusetts. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1883. (FHL book 974.4 K2h; computer number 477766.) Illustrates the persecution the Quakers received from colonial authorities. Has examples of the strength and conviction of the Quakers' religious beliefs.

Jewish

American Jewish Historical Society
2 Thornton Road
Waltham, MA 02154
Telephone: 617–891–8110
Fax: 617–899–9208

Lutheran

New England Lutheran Archives
Trinity Lutheran Church
292 Orange Street
New Haven, CT 06510
Telephone: 203–787–6521

Methodist

Boston University School of Theology Library
745 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
Telephone: 617–353–3034
Fax: 617–353–3061

Presbyterian

Presbyterian Historical Society
425 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Telephone: 215–627–1852
Fax: 215–627–0509

Roman Catholic

Archives of the Archdiocese of Boston
2121 Commonwealth Avenue
Brighton, MA 02135
Telephone: 617–254–0100, ext. 108
Fax: 617–783–5642

Unitarian/Universalist

Harvard Divinity School Library
45 Francis Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
Telephone: 617–495–5770
Fax: 617–495–9489

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