Although there are a few items from the Mesilla Valley Christian Church's predecessor churches, most of the collection items are from after the church's 1960 establishment. The bulk of the items cover Lee G. Hobert's ministry from 1960-1976, including correspondence pertaining to some of Hobert's personal activities. A large portion of the collection is church financial records, although there are also correspondence files, Sunday School attendance books, bulletins and newsletters. Included in the organizational papers series are the by-laws of the church as well as brief histories of the First Christian and the Community Christian Churches. Also included in this series are meeting minutes and yearbook from 1961-1962 and 1965 and 1968. Correspondence is largely from Lee G. Hobert's ministry, although there are a number of items from previous years. Most documents preceding Hobert's arrival are membership transferral letters and other church roll related business. A substantial part of the later correspondence is Hobert's and although related to his ministry not necessarily specifically involving the Mesilla Valley Christian Church. As a former evangelist, Hobert made yearly evangelic trips and considerable correspondence documents preparation for such crusades. Hobert was also active in ecumenical activities in New Mexico, so there is correspondence between him and clergy of other denominations concerning common goals. Being an active minister within his own denomination, the Disciples of Christ, Hobert exchanged numerous letters with fellow ministers about developments and policy decisions within the sect. Of particular importance is the 1968 conflict on restructure that arose as a result of resolutions passed at the 1967 Atlanta convention. Besides ministerial activities, Hobert was involved in several community action groups. In addition to the East Las Cruces Community Center, Hobert was actively involved in H.E.L.P. and the Postal Academy, Inc. Little correspondence in the collection is from after Hobert's resignation of the church's ministry. Most of the church correspondence, not specifically relating to Hobert's activities, is financial correspondence and is contained in the financial records series. (Vena Cronwell, the church secretary wrote most of these letters). Besides business correspondence, the bookkeeping records of the church have been retained. Payments were recorded on Account Payable Vouchers and Petty Cash envelopes. These have been preserved but the accompanying invoices and receipts have been examined for importance and removed from the collection because of limited long term research value. Both the business correspondence and the account sheets and ledgers basically cover Hobert's ministry. Further documentation of the church's financial situation are contained in budgetary reports, dating from 1956-1976. Specific items contained in the financial records series include insurance policies, tax records and payroll deduction plans, plus paving receipts and items from the Southwestern Abstract and Title Company concerning title changes of church property. Not all materials in the financial series is open to researchers. Stewardship records and other items referring to individuals contributions are restricted materials and not available for general use. Additionally, recent financial records, including bank statements, receipts ledgers, and deposit books (1974-present) have been restricted until no longer current. (Beyond the 7 year liability period). Sunday School attendance records are included in the Sunday School and Program series. Other programs, filed by name in this segment include the accredited kindergarten program, church program evaluation surveys, items from the 1950 state convention held in Las Cruces and correspondence relating to the East Las Cruces Community Center, 1965-1973. Included in this series is the preliminary correspondence and final program of "One Man's Ministry," the church's celebration in 1970 of Lee Hobert's twenty years in the ministry and ten years of services to the Mesilla Valley Church. Significant correspondence in the file include important church officials and fellow clergy, as well as important civic leaders like Roger B. Corbett, Hugh Milton II and the Mayor of Las Cruces. There are also files on ministerial recruitment and reconciliation and outreach programs of the church. Weekly Sunday reports from 1960-1967 and from 1964-1965 list Sunday attendance and offerings, significant events, membership additions and transfers, sermon topics, guest speakers and the names of soloists and songs sung during worship services. A final series consists of Sunday bulletins and newsletters. Also included in this series are calendars of events and a guest register. There are a few issues of the "New Mexico Christian" but most of the newsletters were the church's own publication, which was printed sporadically. There is also a sporadic run of Sunday bulletins. In addition to a few surviving bulletins from 1949 and 1956, there is fairly complete run from 1957-1958. After 1958 there is a gap of bulletins until 1968, for which there are several bulletins. In 1970, a continuous run of church bulletins exists until early January 1975.
