The records of Church Women United in Michigan (CWUMI) reflect only a part of the organization's history. No primary materials exist prior to 1948, and the existing material created between 1948 and 1954 is very sketchy. Documentation is richest starting the 1960s. Material from this era includes minutes of CWUMI executive and annual meetings, material relating to committees and committee reports, bylaws, correspondence of CWUMI presidents, periodical publications, files relating to projects and activities, material related to CWUMI local groups, and lists of member organizations.
Church Women United in Michigan grew out of efforts of various Protestant women's organizations to establish an annual day of prayer. As interdenominational ties grew, the value of a permanent coordinating body was seen. In 1929, four local interdenominational women's organizations and about forty World Day of Prayer groups formed the Michigan Council of Federated Church Women. The Michigan group was the first state organization under the new National Council of Federated Church Women. Between 1951 and 1953, the group changed its name to United Church Women of Michigan, and in 1967 they became Church Women United in Michigan. This series of name changes appears to have followed national trends toward an emphasis on unity.
In addition to World Day of Prayer, the organization came to support social reforms, including better race relations and service projects designed to aid the economically underprivileged worldwide. In 1940, the organization appears to have expanded the number of Protestant denominations within its membership. In 1967, the first official links with Eastern Orthodox and Catholic women's organizations were formed.
