St. Ansgarius Church Records
Scope and Contents
These records consist largely of parish registers dating from 1849 through 1896, listing communicants and pastoral acts such baptisms, burials, and marriages. Also included is a pastor’s diary, circa 1882, and the church meeting minutes for 1858-1875. Photos of the church interior and of St. Ansgarius’ founder, Gustav Unonius, complement the church records. The records are largely in the Swedish language.
Dates
- 1849 - 1971
Creator
- St. Ansgarius Church (1849-1990?) (Organization)
Language of Materials
Swedish and English.
Conditions Governing Access
The contents of boxes 3 through 8 are accessible online, and this is the primary means of accessing these records. Access to the originals will be limited at the discretion of archives staff due to their fragility.
The collection is open to all members of the public. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright that may be involved in the use of this collection.
Biographical / Historical
Founded in 1849, St. Ansgarius Church was first located at Illinois and Franklin Streets, Chicago, IL. It was founded by Gustav Unonius, a convert to the Episcopal Church who previously led a group of Swedish immigrants to settle at Pine Lake, Wisconsin. At the end of the century, St. Ansgarius was located on Sedgwick Avenue, one block north of Chicago Avenue, in Chicago. The church remained at this location until 1920, at which time the church effectively closed due to the departure of the rector, Carl August Nybladh and the majority of the congregation. However, in 1924, the bishop of Chicago re-opened St. Ansgarius at a temporary location on Lincoln Avenue, and later built the Jenny Lind Memorial Chapel at 2514 West Thorndale Avenue, Chicago. In 1940 the church was re-dedicated as St. Francis Church, and this congregation survived into the 1990’s.
Extent
1.4 Linear Feet (8 containers)
Arrangement
The files are organized alphabetically by type of record or subject, then chronologically.
Custodial History
Swedish-American Historical Society correspondence dated March 1949 confirms Nils William Olsson in custody of “the St. Ansgarius Church Register.” Dr. Olsson had microfilmed the register and was sharing that microfilm with other historical repositories. (See SAAGC MSS #4, Box 21, file 1).
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Nils William Olsson donated these records to the Swedish-American Historical Society Archives at some date before 1998. An oral interview with the donor conducted in 1999 revealed that Dr. Olsson thought his donation likely occurred in the 1950’s. Also in this interview the donor explained his acquisition of the records, as follows: while visiting the church at its Thorndale location in approximately 1945, he found the records in the church basement, and when he expressed interest in and concern for them, the church clerk offered them to him.
Processing Information
This collection was initially processed by unidentified staff; reprocessed and described by Ellen Engseth in April of 1999. Rearranged by Anna-Kajsa Anderson after being rehoused by Graphic Conservation Company in early 2016.
Creator
- St. Ansgarius Church (1849-1990?) (Organization)
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Sponsor
- Funding to migrate and update this finding aid was provided by the Swedish Council of America through the 2019 grant "Improving and Expanding Access to the Swedish–American Archives of Greater Chicago."
Repository Details
Part of the Swedish-American Archives of Greater Chicago Repository
3225 W Foster Ave
Box 38
Chicago IL 60625 USA
773-583-5722