The fonds consists of records which document the work and activities of Cochrane Street United Church congregation, its boards and committees and its organizations, with the records starting in 1882.

The records consist of the administrative records of the congregation which include the Quarterly Official Board, the Boards of Session and Stewards, their committees, both standing and ad hoc, and the Board of Management starting in 1987, and its committees. The fonds also includes financial records, comprising of financial statements and reports as well as some audited reports. Also included are vital statistic records dating from the independence of the congregation in 1890 and membership records dating from 1916. Annual reports, many of which were published, are included. Women's and men's groups, youth groups, and Sunday School records are also a part of this fonds.

The records are arranged in the following series: board and committee records (1882-2005); financial records (1935-2004); legal records (1876-1981); baptism, marriage and burial records (1890-2006); membership records (1891-2005); congregational meetings (1930-2003); annual reports (1916-2005, predominant 1948-2005); general correspondence (1979-2003); Sunday School records [1886-198-]; youth groups records [196-]-[199-]; women's groups records (1931-2005); men's groups records [191-]-2001; related records ([19-]-2004).

The collection consists of approximately 7250 photographs (1865-2000, predominantly 1950-1995) of which approximately 7000 have been processed; 69 albums; three boxes of slides (ca. 1150); thirteen sheets of negatives (ca. 200); two daguerreotypes (1840s or 1850s), and 25 stereo cards.

The slides are stored in slide cases and are grouped according to a specific theme such as a school or an event. While many of the albums and scrapbooks were given to the archives by various convents, schools and individual Sisters, the archive has also created several albums with the intent to highlight a particular theme or event such as "Jubilees," "The Lantern," and "Social Gatherings."

Approximately 7000 photographs of the collection have been processed. The following information has been deducted from a random sampling of 546 cards from the photograph index: the majority of these photographs, 25%, measure 8.9cm x 8.9 cm ( 3 « x 3 « inches) with the second largest group, 17%, measuring 10.16cm x 15.24cm (4 x 6 inches); 53% of the sample were noted as colour photographs while 43% were noted as black and white; 81% of all the photographs are described as being in good condition with only 2% being rated as poor.

The photographs are organized according to the Presentation Congregation Archives finding aid and therefore cover a wide variety of topics. About one third of the photographs are of the various branches of the Presentation Congregation. The Presentation Motherhouse in Cathedral Square, St. John's has the largest amount of photographs (81) in the collection with the second largest being from Our Lady of Assumption Mission in Davis Inlet (71). Another large group of pictures (ca. 250) depict the Sisters themselves as they go through the process of becoming professed and embrace their ministries. As well, these pictures look at the Sister's personal life, their relationships and visits with family and friends.

A third subject that is given a great deal of attention is education (7cm) and the various schools that the sisters taught in. The final subject identified as a main focus in the collection are the various "Associates" associated with the Presentation Congregation (6cm) such as the Archdiocese of St. John's, Grand Falls, St. George's and Labrador/Schefferville, the various parishes, Archbishops and Bishops, clergy, visitors, and other religious Congregations.

Fonds consists of baptismal (1802-1855), marriage (1793-1882), and publication (1873-1907) registers; a marriage register index (1821-1855); microfilm reels of marriage registers (1793-1899) and baptismal registers (1802-1889); a register that documents the conveyance of stone for the construction of the Cathedral (1837-1857); canonical decrees and maps delineating parish boundaries (1982-1998); correspondence relating to the general operation of the parish and the maintenance of the Basilica-Cathedral (1853, 1952-1955, 1972-1979); photographs of the Basilica-Cathedral and its ornamentation (1980); and articles of incorporation for the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of St. John's (1913).

Material also has been collected around the theme of the parish and integrated into the fonds by the Archives. This material includes newspaper clippings, articles, and histories detailing the construction, ornamentation, and architecture of the Basilica-Cathedral, and church bulletins and publications. Photocopies predominate.

Fonds consists of administrative records of the Senior Citizens Home, including property (legal and financial) ([195-]-1987), Watkins Estate trust fund account (1979-1982), annual reports (1975-1995), financial statements (1962-1994), reports and correspondence to various agencies (primarily the United Church of Canada ) (1958-1992), minutes and reports of the board (1972-1993). In addition there is a file concerning several expansions of the home (1970-1986). Several issues of the home's newsletter are included (1979, 1993). It also includes blueprints, architect's assessments, brochures and photographs. Also included are several ancillary files containing miscellaneous information as it relates to housing the elderly.

Fonds consists of correspondence relating to church repairs and maintenance, building projects, St. Joseph's Elementary School, the parish hall, appointments and resignations, and other general parish operations and activities (1920, 1947-78); canonical decrees and correspondence relating to parish boundaries (1977-85); newspaper clippings relating to the history of the parish (1951-53, 1984-88); church bulletins (1994); architectural drawings (1946-74); and 19 black and white photographs.

The fonds consists of records relating to the activities of the United Church Community Centre (later known as Emmanuel House). It also includes administrative records (1938-2001) of the Community Centre, Community Centre Service League, Parents Study Club, Young Women's Club, Women's Cooperative Committee, Emmanuel House and Burry Heights Camp Committee. The fonds also consists of material (1929-1965) related to Dr. Stella Burry and miscellaneous material, which includes several photographs ([19-]-1992.

Fonds consists of correspondence, minutes, and reference materials relating to Rusted's activities with the Cathedral and the parish, his non-secular activities, and personal activities and interests.

Fonds consists of correspondence relating to Mary Queen of Peace School, Mary Queen of Peace Parish Hall, and the general operations of both St. Raphael's and Mary Queen of Peace parishes (1952-79); financial statements (1925-30); construction proposals (1975-76); architectural drawings (1968, 1976-77); newspaper clippings relating to the opening of the new church (1985); Parish Pastoral Council minute book and resource binder (1987-88); and 2 black and white photographs.

Fonds consists of correspondence relating to Smithville Crescent property, establishment of the parish, appointments, financial matters, building projects, Our Lady of Lourdes School and Parish, and other general parish affairs (1953-1979); canonical decrees delineating St. Pius X's boundaries and suppressing Our Lady of Lourdes (1982); newspaper clippings relating to parish history (1956-1987); architectural sketch of St. Pius X Elementary School (1965); and 3 photographs. Fonds includes some photocopies.

The fonds consists of records relating to Rev. Battock's life, including a baptismal certificate, academic records from Halifax Seminary (1914-1918) and invitations to 50th and 60th anniversary celebrations. The fonds also includes correspondence concerning the construction of schools in St. Lawrence (1921) and St. Vincent (1924), the designation of the parish of St. Vincent (1924), as well as newspaper clippings and printed material related to his life.