On Sunday, January 28, 2018, Joy Alford Allridge was ordained to the pastoral ministry in the United Church of Christ.  Joy had been in care with CUCC during her time in seminary, and she has been serving as pastor of Prism, a CUCC ministry and new church start in Wake Forest, NC.  The ordination service was held at CUCC and the reception catered jointly by CUCC's members at the Raleigh campus and at Prism.

These photos were taken by Prism member, Nancy Jo (Prism is blessed to have a professional photographer in their midst).

Unfortunately we can't upload the album, but you are welcome to view the photos.

Remembrances (1981)

In the spring of 1981, our CUCC historian Ann Elleman recorded a series of interviews with long time CUCC members. This process lasted for several months, and Susie Sapp put in long ours to transcribe the interviews to text. The result was a 90-page single-spaced typed document that is packed full of first-person accounts of the early years of CUCC and the decades of life at the United Church of Raleigh that preceded formation of CUCC. In September of 2012, Lavon page scanned the report and indexed it so that it can be searched for individual participants. This has become a valuable resource to bring to life some of the names you hear so often when old timers talk about our past.

Remembrances (1981) (91 pages)

Origins of the phrase "Nurturing spiritual growth and working for social justice"

edited by Lavon Page using information provided by Edith Sylla, Marty Lamb, and Jane Smith

The phrase “Nurturing spiritual growth and working for social justice” has been widely used on church publications for many years. Some recall this slogan having been added to the church bulletin and website during the tenure of Rev. Carol Ripley-Moffitt as Interim Pastor (2000-2002). But others remember the phrase itself having originated while Rev. Cally Rogers-Witte was pastor, perhaps around 1990. This article provides an overview to the context out of which this phrase may have arisen. Most of this information was researched by Edith Sylla, church historian.

Marge Eckels and Cy King - March 17, 2013

The Sunday Forum on March 17, 2013, featured a dialog between Marge Eckels and Cy King on their many years of participation in social action initiatives at CUCC. The moderator is Sue Cottle, and the event was filmed by Lavon Page at the request of the Social Justice Ministry.

This video is also available on YouTube.

A Conversation with Cy King

On January 8, 2013, Lavon Page sat down with Cy King in Cy’s apartment, and Cy talked for two hours about his memories of the period from the late 1940s until 1970 in Raleigh’s United Church, the forerunner of Community UCC. The dialog has been edited, and split into three segments totaling about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

A Conversation with Cy King - January 8, 2013 (Part 1 - 29 minutes)

A Conversation with Cy King - January 8, 2013 (Part 2 - 23 minutes)

A Conversation with Cy King - January 8, 2013 (Part 3 - 19 minutes)

Carolyn and Cy King Peace and Justice Award - Inaugural Presentation - June 17, 2012

On June 17, 2012, the 10:30 worship service featured a presentation of a special award to Cy and Carolyn King honoring their many years of effort on behalf of peace and justice issues. Carolyn was unable to attend for medical reasons, but Cy accepted the award and spoke (with his usual modesty) on their behalf. Part of the ceremony included that the award will be a repeating event at CUCC and will be given in honor of the Kings.

Carson Roach Howell - Welcoming Sunday

In September 2011, Carson Roach-Howell produced this short video about Welcoming Sunday. Carson filmed and edited it, and Jackson Kiel interviews Pastor Steve Halsted. The video may also be viewed on YouTube.

Conversations with Cy and Carolyn King

The primary focus of these conversations is on civil rights activities of the 1950s and 1960s. Other topics include the Institute of Religion at Community UCC, Cy's work at NCSU Libraries, and the Martin Luther King march held annually in Raleigh on the MLK Holiday.

These conversations took place in Cy and Carolyn's living room at Whitaker Glen. Robert Parrish is directing the conversation, and Lavon Page is filming and joining in occasionally.

Cy King Talks About World War II

On August 8, 2008, Cy agreed to an interview with the National Veterans History Archival Institute on his experiences in the infantry during the Second World War. This is Cy's story (26 minute video).

A Sacred Conversation on Race: A Bit of Hisotry

In May 2008 Cy King, CUCC's historian and a participant in many of the events described,   presented this ministry moment, A Sacred Conversation on Race:  A Bit of History.  The ministry moment was part of a larger conversation on race initiated by the denomination.

Bernie Brown's Short Stories

Bernie Brown has become a prolific writer of short stories and is presently working on a novel. Here Bernie talks about her writing and reads two of her recent short stories, both of which have appeared in North Carolina journals. Recorded February 9, 2007 in Bernie's home in north Raleigh.

Bernie chats about her writing(12:31)

Everybody Loves Sunflowers (read by Bernie Brown) (11:37)

Just an Ordinary Guy (read by Bernie Brown) (9:22)

Geraldine Bryan - A Children's Christmas

In 2005 "Dreams of Christmas" (available was written by Geraldine as a Christmas narrative for adults. In 2006 Geraldine presented a narrative for children (and all others who appreciate the clarity of childhood). This narrative was the central part of the Children's Christmas Eve service on December 24, 2006. Lavon Page collaborated.

Geraldine Bryan - An Interpretation of Noah

In the fall of 2006, Geraldine constructed an elaborate reflection and meditation on Noah. Lavon Page again collaborated with Geraldine in selecting images and music to fit the theme. The video is one hour long and can be viewed full screen by clicking the expander button near the bottom right of the video.

Lavon Page - Birmingham Summer 1965

A reflection by Lavon Page based on an incident that occurred in the summer of 1965. The setting is Birmingham, Alabama (more specifically the suburb of Fairfield). It was during George Wallace's first term as Governor of Alabama, and while Lavon was teaching at Miles College in Birmingham. (Miles College was where Joan Baez recorded her live version of "We Shall Overcome" which appeared on her second album in the early 1960s.) This reflection was recorded in the summer of 2006.

Receipt for bond money paid to get out of jail

Return of cash bond following acquital

A view of United Church from the Quaker community

An October 10, 1988, oral history interview with Phyllis Tyler provides a view of United Church (Community UCC's predecessor church) in the 1950s and early 1960s from the perspective of a member of the Society of Friends (Quaker).  Most of our documentation of the time describes public events and people, but without providing much insight into what it was like to act publicly for civil rights.  Ms. Tyler's interview includes anecdotes of the risks and consequences of the actions taken by civil rights activists.

The interview does include a few transcription errors or omissions.

Transcription errors or clarifications
The housing development is RICH Park (Raleigh InterChurch Housing), not Ridge Park.  RICH Park Housing Congregations are Community United Church of Christ, Cosmopolitan Baptist Church, Davie Street Presbyterian Church, First Baptist Church (Wilmington Street), Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh.  Read more about RICH Park here.

Method Day Care did expand beyond the space provided by Pullen Memorial Baptist Church; it is now Method Child Development Center on Method Road.

The United Church minister is the Rev. Collins Kilburn, not Carlos.

After United Church moved to the corner of Wade Avenue and Dixie Trail, it merged with First Evangelical and Reformed Congregation and became Community United Church of Christ.

The member exchange was between United Church and First Congregational Church.

The Kings are Cyrus and Carolyn, not Cyress.

Geraldine Bryan - Dreams of Christmas

In 2005 "Dreams of Christmas" was written by Geraldine as a Christmas narrative for adults. The following year 2006 Geraldine presented a narrative for children (and all others who appreciate the clarity of childhood) which was the central part of the Children's Christmas Eve service on December 24, 2006. Lavon Page collaborated with her on these and also on her Noah narrative,  converting them from audio narratives to videos with the addition of music and imagery.

Luis Alvarenga Ordination

Luis Alvarenga returned to CUCC on October 19, 2008 to be ordained into the ministry. Participating in the ceremony were Rev. Vertie Powers of Southern Conference of the UCC, Rev. Steve Halsted, and Rev. Robert Parish. The video below shows the conclusion of the ordination ceremony (19 minute video) . The story of Luis’ work and ministry is told in the newspaper article from 1999 shown below the video.

Did You Ever Know a Bird?

Before I formed you in the womb,

I knew you... -- Jeremiah 1:5

by Lavon Page, April 19, 2002

Have you ever known a bird? I don't mean do you know about "birds". Or even do you know about a specific kind of bird. I'm asking if you've ever known a unique, individual bird. Not a parakeet or some caged bird, but a wild bird free to come and go as it pleases.

This is the story of Pinky.

The Energetic 80s - by Peggy Hoffmann

Peggy Hoffmann wrote a description of activities at CUCC during the decade of the 1980s and named it “The Energetic 80s”.

The Energetic 80s (PDF) (24 pages)

Liberal Tradition (1981)

Newspaper article on CUCC in Raleigh Times from April 25, 1981 entitled "Church Celebrates its Liberal Tradition."

A Peculiar People - By Peggy Hoffmann

In the 1970s Peggy Hoffmann, with help from others, wrote this play to paint an overview of the history and essence of Community UCC.

A Peculiar People (PDF) (15 pages)

Demolition of United Church - 1977

Newspaper coverage from 1977 on demolition of the United Church building in downtown Raleigh. This church was the predecessor to the present CUCC.

Historical Sketch of the United Church of Raleigh

Stuart Noblin was a member of the United Church of Raleigh during the 1960s, as well as a historian at NC State. He wrote two histories of the United Church. The brief one below was written in 1967 as part of a self-study project within the church. The longer one entitled “The United Church of Raleigh: A Case Study” was written two years later and is also available in this archive (link on left).

Historical Sketch of United Church of Raleigh (PDF)

The United Church of Raleigh: A Case Study - By Stuart Noblin

The United Church of Raleigh, A Case Study -- written by Stuart Noblin, North Carolina State University, for the Southern Historical Association, 1969.

A Case Study (PDF) (14 pages)

The E&R Church - Our Present Home

The First Evangelical and Reformed Church of Raleigh was formed in 1954. (See first photo in collection below. This plague is hanging in the CUCC Fellowship Hall.) In 1956 the E&R congregation completed construction of the church building on the corner of Dixie Trail and Wade Avenue. (See second photo in collection. This plaque also hangs in the Fellowship Hall.) The photos in this collection represent the earliest known pictures taken of the new church. One of them pictures the Rev. G. Harold Myers in the pulpit. Rev. Myers served as Pastor at the Evangelical and Reformed church during the 1950s. In 1969, the United Church of Raleigh abandoned its downtown location and moved to the E&R church to merge with the E&R congregation. (The E&R and Congregational-Christian denominations had merged in 1957, so this joining of churches in 1969 was a merger of churches which were already associated with the same denomination). By 1969 the E&R congregation was relatively small, and following the merger few of the E&R members were actually assimilated into the new congregation.

United Church Scrapbook (1923 - 1959)

The United Church scrapbook (192 images) includes program announcements, church bulletins, correspondence, and extensive newspaper clippings from the period roughly from 1923 to 1960. This archived version attempts as much as possible to preserve the scrapbook digitally in the same form as the physical scrapbook.

United Church Scrapbook

Letter from Rev. Allyn Robinson to the congregation - Sept. 30, 1943

Rev. Allyn Robinson came to the United Church of Raleigh in the late 1930s. He is widely known for having started the Institute of Religion in 1939. But on September 30, 1943, he drafted a remarkable and unusual letter to the congregation.

He begins by acknowledging rumors that he was planning to accept a call to another position. He describes the job offer he has received, and then describes his strong feelings for the United Church that have persuaded him to decline the offer. But then he emphatically proclaims “BUT SOMETHING IS WRONG!” and proceeds to berate the congregation for poor attendance at worship on Sunday mornings. And their lack of enthusiasm for worship leads him to conclude with the charge that such apathy is the cause that “the liberal church is weak.” And finally he lays out the expectation that he will see his parishioners at church on Sunday mornings unless they are “providentially hindered” from being there.

United Church Organizational Structure - 1952

This little booklet has markings that indicate that it probably dates from 1952 or 1953. It includes directory information as well as a listing of some scheduled meetings.

Brochure describing the downtown United Church of the 1960s

This brochure dates from the final decade of use of the downtown United Church building. Note that Collins Kilburn is Pastor, Arnold Hoffman is Choir Director, and Peggy Hoffman is Organist. In 1969 the congregation moved to the present location on the corner of Wade Avenue and Dixie Trail.

  Click either image to view large versions of both  

 

Institute of Religion

The Institute of Religion was organized at the United Church in Raleigh (the predecessor of Community UCC) in 1939. The Institute ran to around 1960.

The nested links at the left lead to a variety of photos and documents from that era. Most of these were provided by Mary Pruneau, Mrs. B. F. Carter. Mary’s mother is pictured in one of the photos on page 7 of the press coverage from the Raleigh Times for the 1951 sessions.

Brochure 1950
Brochure 1951
Brochure 1952
Brochure 1953
Brochure 1957
Press Coverage 1955
1955 Institute Programs

How Big Can a Little Church Be? - by Peggy Hoffmann

Peggy Hoffmann wrote an article which appeared in the December 1954 issue of the International Journal of Religious Education. The article is entitled "How Big Can a Little Church Be?" Important parts of the history of United Church of Raleigh during the period 1940 - 1954 are included in Peggy's story.

How Big Can a Little Church Be?