Allyn Robinson

Allyn Robinson was Pastor of the United Church of Raleigh from 1938 to 1946. He is remembered as the founder of the Institute of Religion. He returned to Raleigh after his retirement in 1977 and was active in the church for many years thereafter. In 1993 he was the recipient of the Frank Porter Grahm Award bestowed by the American Civil Liberties Union of N.C.

Radical Christianity - Collins Kilburn, Jan. 8, 1964

Pastor Collins Kilburn addressed the Congregational Meeting at Raleigh United Church on January 8, 1964. His purpose was to challenge the congregation to rethink its mission for the coming year. He proposed a "radical Christianity" that finds its arena in the world of work and play rather than in the sanctuary of the church building. But he also spoke of the radical nature of the love which binds a congregation together. Have we lived up to Collins' challenge of more than 40 years ago?

Remarks to the Congregational Meeting on the subject of "Radical Christianity" -- Collins Kilburn (13:40) (read by Lavon Page)

Congregational Photos - 1945 and 1947

These photos are most likely photos of United Church gatherings. The only person I can identify in either photo is Rev. Eutsler (in the 1947 photo, dark 3-piece suit standing beside woman holding baby). It is highly likely that Polly DeCosta and others who are well known to some present CUCC members are pictured in these photos. If you recognize anyone in either photo, please contact me. -- Lavon Page

Rev. Fred Eutsler

Rev. Fred Eutsler was Pastor at United Church of Raleigh (1946-1951). Rev. Eutsler’s sister, Polly DeCosta, remained an active member of CUCC into the 1990s.

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

Lulu Brewer Vaughan

Mrs. L. L. Vaughan death notice from 1951

L. L. Vaughan

Dean L. L. Vaughan of the School of Engineering at NCSU was the person for whom the "Vaughan Wing" (fellowship hall) of the church is named. Professor Vaughan taught Mechanical Engineering at North Carolina State University for forty-three years.  He and his wife, Lula Brewer Vaughan, were pillars of United Church when it was located on the corner of Hillsborough and Dawson Streets.  He served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons several times and at one time or another was chairperson of nearly every board and committee in the church.  His generosity sustained the church through good times and bad.

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?

Vacation Bible School - 1955

Click photo for larger view

In 1955 the United Church began an integrated Vacation Bible School program. This formed a tight alliance between the United Church of Raleigh and First Congregational, which at that time was pastored by Rev. Howard Cunningham (bottom photo). This marked the beginning of a long relationship between Rev. Cunningham and CUCC. He visited CUCC frequently up until the time of his death on Dec. 24, 2003.

Vacation Bible School (1955)

Rev. Howard Cunningham and Rev. Gaylord Noyce
Click photo for larger view

Institute of Religion coverage in the Raleigh Times (1951)

Photo Coverage by the Raleigh Times of the Institute of Religion events held at United Church of Raleigh during the 1951 sessions.