Houston and Cora Bowman Papers
Scope and Contents
This collection partially documents the history of Trinity United Church of Christ from 1962 to 1998. Of special note is the church’s 1962 constitution and proposed changes. The majority of this collection consists of photocopies of original manuscripts held by Houston and Cora Bowman.
Dates
- circa 1961-2008
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions
Conditions Governing Use
Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection
Biographical / Historical
Houston and Cora Bowman were both born in the southern United States and moved to Chicago during the period known as the Great Migration. Both were active members of Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ.
Trinity United Church of Christ was founded in December 1961 with a membership of twelve Black families. The church followed the beliefs of the United Church of Christ Congregation with a strong commitment to justice and equality. Members fundraised to build their first church at 532 W. 95th Street in 1966. In the 1970s, Trinity United Church of Christ adopted the motto “Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian.” Membership skyrocketed between the 1970s and 1990s, creating the need for a larger meeting space. In December 1994, the congregation moved to a new worship center at 400 W. 95th Street.
Houston Bowman passed away on August 16, 1995. Cora Davis Bowman died in 2002.
Sources:
- Ancestry.com, Houston Bowman (1913-1995)
- The History of Trinity United Church, https://www.trinitychicago.org/our-history/
Extent
0.5 Linear Feet (in 1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Houston and Cora Bowman were founding members of Trinity United Church of Christ, a large and influential church on Chicago’s South Side. Their papers include the early history of Trinity, church newsletters, event programs and organizational records.
Arrangement
Alphabetical by folder title
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Mark Bowman in August 2009
- African American churches Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Bowman, Cora Davis -- : Correspondence.
- Bowman, Houston -- : Correspondence.
- Business correspondence. Subject Source: Library of Congress Genre/Form Terms
- Newsletters. Subject Source: Library of Congress Genre/Form Terms
- Programs (Publications) Subject Source: Library of Congress Genre/Form Terms
- Records (Documents) Subject Source: Library of Congress Genre/Form Terms
- Trinity United Church of Christ (Chicago, Ill.) -- : Archives.
- Trinity United Church of Christ (Chicago, Ill.) -- : Periodicals.
- Title
- Guide to the Houston and Cora Bowman Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Elizabeth Loch, Archival Specialist
- Date
- October 2021
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
Repository Details
Part of the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection Repository
Woodson Regional Library
Chicago Public Library
9525 S. Halsted Street
Chicago IL 60628 United States
(312) 745-2080
harshcollection@chipublib.org