© The contents of this finding aid are the copyright of the University of Chicago Library
© 2008 University of Chicago Library
Preservation of this collection was supported with a generous gift from the University of Chicago Service League.
Open for research. No restrictions
When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Hyde Park and Kenwood Interfaith Council. Records, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
Founded in 1911, the Hyde Park and Kenwood Interfaith Council’s purpose has remained unchanged; they strive for “the increased efficiency of the spiritual forces of our community along cooperative lines.” The Council has evolved over the years to include a greater variety of religious traditions. It began in 1911 as “the Council of Hyde Park Churches.” In 1929, the name changed first to “The Council of Hyde Park and Kenwood Churches” and changed again in 1939 to “The Council of Hyde Park and Kenwood and Synagogues.” If finally became the Hyde Park and Kenwood Interfaith Council in 1984.
The Council has acted as a community organizing agent supporting each specific religious institution, while also working to fulfill its own objective to affect change. The Council explains that:
“its members agree to respect the integrity of their different faiths and the right to practice their beliefs. The Council is dedicated to projects for the betterment of life in the community and to the struggle for human equality. The purpose of the Association is to provide effective channels for cooperative expression of our shared mission for the care of the community. These channels include: community service, social justice, mutual spiritual enrichment and understanding... We seek ways to offer support in times of need, to witness to values that heal and repair division, and to create interfaith understanding.”
The Interfaith Council is known for its Annual Community Thanksgiving Service at Rockefeller Chapel. It is also famous in the Hyde Park and Kenwood community for its hunger projects, running the Open Kitchen and the Pantry.
This collection includes the records of the Hyde Park and Kenwood Interfaith Council. The first part of the collection contains administrative materials such as minutes covering 1911-1989, budgets, correspondence, directories of members and meeting records. Following these administrative records are general subject files of Council projects and affiliated institutions, arranged alphabetically. These subject files largely contain correspondence and plans for cooperative events associated with the Council. Box 12 also contains oversized posters announcing upcoming Council events, such as their annual Community Thanksgiving Service and their Brotherhood Dinner.