Church history

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About this Collection

History of Presbyterian and Reformed church governance, congregations, ministers, and theology. See the following related collections: Presbyterian General Assemblies; Church buildings; Protestant Reformation; and Sermons. Featured image: Synod of Catawba clergy and lay commissioners.

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Title:
Presbyterian Gay Caucus and Presbyterians for Gay Concerns brochures and pamphlets.
Description:
Includes Presbyterian Gay Caucus "Statement of Purpose, 1975" and "'Definitive Guidance' Revisited or An Alternative View: The Law of the Church" by David B. Sindt (1979).
Creator:
Sindt, David, 1940-1986. (author)
Subject names:
Carter, Ralph C. (Ralph Campbell)--Archives., Sindt, David, 1940-1986., Presbyterian Gay Caucus., Presbyterians for Gay Concerns.
Topics:
Gay clergy--United States., Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Presbyterian Church., Ordination of gays--Presbyterians., Ordination of lesbians--Presbyterians.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:346581
Title:
The 190th General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.
Description:
Interpretive video of the 190th General Assembly of the UPCUSA. Includes footage of Sandra Brawders (14:03) speaking on the plenary floor and advocating for inclusive ordination rights for gay and lesbian Presbyterians and Virginia Davidson (22:09), chairperson of the UPCUSA Task Force to Study Homosexuality, making a statement on the Task Force's work.
Creator:
Eaton, Charles. (producer), Smith, Devore. (producer)
Subject names:
United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. General Assembly (190th : 1978 : San Diego, Calif.), United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Task Force to Study Homosexuality., Davidson, Virginia West, 1916-2009., Brawders, Sandra., More Light Presbyterians--Archives.
Topics:
Ordination of gays--Presbyterians., Ordination of lesbians--Presbyterians., Homosexuality--Religious aspects--United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:314694
Title:
The 58 LGBTQIA+ youth who attended the initial kin-dom camp in Texas went home blessed, as did their leaders.
Description:
Video of 1001 New Worshipping Communities ministry kin-dom community's inaugural edition of kin-dom camp, a week-long summer camp for youth ages 13 to 17 in the Synod of the Sun who identify as LGBTQIA+. Camp leaders and participants talk about how the camp came to be and the impact it has had on all participants. Video originally featured in a Presbyterian News Service article, "'I'm happier and it's crazy how that happens'" (published August 25, 2022).
Creator:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Presbyterian Mission Agency (creator)
Subject names:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Synod of the Sun., Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Presbyterian Mission Agency.
Topics:
LGBTQ+ youth., Church work with youth.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:288241
Title:
Preliminary Report from the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church to the 216th General Assembly (2004) with Discussion Guide.
Creator:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church. (creator)
Subject names:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church., Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). General Assembly (216th : 2004 : Richmond, Va.), Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church--Archives.
Topics:
Discernment (Christian theology)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:288220
Title:
Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church pamphlet.
Description:
Pamphlet describing the mandate, goals, and mission statement of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church. Includes meeting information, covenant of the task force, and membership listing.
Creator:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church. (creator)
Subject names:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church., Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). General Assembly (213th : 2001 : Louisville, Ky.), Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church--Archives.
Topics:
Discernment (Christian theology)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:288198
Title:
Overture Advocates' Presentation to the Committee on Ordination Standards, 213th General Assembly, June 2001.
Description:
Overture Advocates' presentation against G-6.0106b ("Amendment B").
Creator:
Hart-Andersen, Timothy. (onscreen presenter), Covenant Network of Presbyterians. (film distributor), Nave, Doug. (onscreen presenter), Andrews, Susan. (onscreen presenter)
Subject names:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). General Assembly (213th : 2001 : Louisville, Ky.), Hart-Andersen, Timothy--Archives.
Topics:
Ordination of gays--Presbyterian Church., Ordination of lesbians--Presbyterian Church., Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Presbyterian Church.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:287984
Title:
Bertram Johnson oral history, 2019.
Description:
Bertram Johnson became the first openly gay African American to be ordained as a pastor in the PC(USA) in 2014. He grew up Baptist, attended Mt. Baker Park Presbyterian Church (Seattle, Washington), and was ordained at Madrona Grace Presbyterian Church (Seattle, Washington) as a Teaching Elder in 2014.
Creator:
Johnson, Bertram. (interviewee), Wittrig, Elizabeth L. (interviewer), Prescott, Sonia. (interviewer)
Subject names:
Madrona Grace Presbyterian Church (Seattle, Wash.), Presbyterian Welcome (Organization), Johnson, Bertram.
Topics:
Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Presbyterian Church., Ordination of gays., Ordination of lesbians., African American Presbyterians.
Geographic subjects:
Seattle (Wash.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:281973
Title:
Presbyterian Rainbow.
Description:
Web site of Presbyterian Rainbow, a coalition of churches and individuals in Albany Presbytery who are committed to and advocate for the full participation of all in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Creator:
Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Presbytery of Albany. (creator)
Subject names:
Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Presbytery of Albany.
Topics:
Christian sexual minorities--United States., Sexual orientation--Religious aspects--Christianity., Gay rights--Religious aspects--Presbyterian Church., Ordination of lesbians--Presbyterian Church., Ordination of gays--Presbyterian Church., Church work with gays--United States.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:181730
Title:
Pearl Rugless O'Meally and Mary Ludlow Bookout oral history, 2019.
Description:
Pearl Rugless O'Meally and Mary Ludlow were on the nominating committee that called Janie Spahr to serve as pastor of Downtown United Presbyterian Church and early members of That All May Freely Serve (TAMFS). TAMFS began in 1993 after Rev. Jane Adams Spahr, a lesbian minister, was banned by the Permanent Judicial Commission from accepting a call to serve as a pastor of Downtown United Presbyterian Church (Rochester, NY). Downtown Church formed TAMFS ministry in response, electing Spahr to serve as a "lesbian evangelist" to the PC(USA), and advocating for the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ Presbyterians.
Creator:
Rugless O'Meally, Pearl. (interviewee), Ludlow, Mary. (interviewee), Wittrig, Elizabeth L. (interviewer)
Subject names:
That All May Freely Serve (Association), Downtown United Presbyterian Church (Rochester, N.Y.), Rugless O'Meally, Pearl., Ludlow, Mary., Spahr, Jane Adams.
Topics:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)--Homosexuality--Religious aspects., Ordination of lesbians., Presbyterian women.
Geographic subjects:
Rochester (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:177400
Title:
Greg Partridge, Doug Potter, and Mary Rees oral history, 2019.
Description:
Greg Partridge, Doug Potter, and Mary Rees were all active members of That All May Freely Serve (TAMFS). Mary Rees and Doug Potter both served as co-moderators of the organization. Greg Partridge was editor of the TAMFS newsletter. TAMFS began in 1993 after Rev. Jane Adams Spahr, a lesbian minister, was banned by the Permanent Judicial Commission from accepting a call to serve as a pastor of Downtown United Presbyterian Church (Rochester, NY). Downtown Church formed TAMFS ministry in response, electing Spahr to serve as a "lesbian evangelist" to the PC(USA), and advocating for the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ Presbyterians.
Creator:
Partridge, Greg. (interviewee), Potter, Doug (interviewee), Rees, Mary. (interviewee), Wittrig, Elizabeth L. (interviewer)
Subject names:
That All May Freely Serve (Association), Downtown United Presbyterian Church (Rochester, N.Y.), Spahr, Jane Adams.
Topics:
Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Presbyterian Church--20th century., Ordination of gays., Ordination of lesbians., Presbyterian women.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:177191
Title:
David Van Dyke oral history, 2019.
Description:
David Van Dyke served as co-moderator of the Covenant Network during the passage of Amendment 10-A and 14-F, which respectively changed the Book of Order to allow the ordination of LGBTQ persons and same-sex marriage within the Presbyterian Church.
Creator:
Van Dyke, David. (interviewee), Wittrig, Elizabeth L. (interviewer)
Subject names:
Covenant Network of Presbyterians., Van Dyke, David.
Topics:
Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Presbyterian Church., Ordination of gays., Ordination of lesbians.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:177190
Title:
Chris Shelton oral history, 2019.
Description:
Chris Shelton became the first openly gay pastor of Broadway Presbyterian Church (New York, NY) in 2011. He grew up Baptist and joined Trinity Presbyterian Church (Denton, Texas) in the 1990s where he became a candidate for ordination under Grace Presbytery. He was ordained in 2004 as Co-Pastor of three congregations in Bergen County, New Jersey.
Creator:
Shelton, Chris. (interviewee), Wittrig, Elizabeth L. (interviewer), Prescott, Sonia. (interviewer)
Subject names:
Trinity Presbyterian Church (Denton, Tex.), Presbyterian Welcome (Organization), Shelton, Chris.
Topics:
Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Presbyterian Church., Ordination of gays., Ordination of lesbians.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:177188
Title:
Ashley DeTar-Birt oral history, 2019.
Description:
In 2018, Rev. Ashley DeTar-Birt, an out bisexual woman, was ordained in the PC(USA). She was ordained by Rutgers Presbyterian Church in New York as the Pastoral Fellow for Youth and Families. Ashley DeTar-Birt holds a Masters of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary. She currently serves on the board of More Light Presbyterians and is an advocate for youth ministry and social justice.
Creator:
DeTar-Birt, Ashley. (interviewee), Wittrig, Elizabeth L. (interviewer), Prescott, Sonia. (interviewer)
Subject names:
More Light Presbyterians., Presbyterian Welcome (Organization), DeTar-Birt, Ashley.
Topics:
Bisexuality--Religious aspects--Presbyterian Church., Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Presbyterian Church., Social justice--Religious aspects--Presbyterian Church., African American Presbyterians., Presbyterian women., Ordination of gays., Ordination of lesbians.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:166800
Title:
Eric Thomas oral history, 2019.
Description:
Eric Thomas graduated from the Interdenominational Theological Center and is currently completing a PhD in New Testament and Early Christianity at Drew University, focusing on a queer of color biblical criticism. He was ordained in 2017 in the PC(USA). Eric is the Interim Pastor of Siloam Presbyterian Church (Brooklyn, New York) and also serves on the board of More Light Presbyterians.
Creator:
Thomas, Eric. (interviewee), Wittrig, Elizabeth L. (interviewer), Prescott, Sonia. (interviewer)
Subject names:
More Light Presbyterians., Presbyterian Welcome (Organization), Thomas, Eric.
Topics:
Queer theology., Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Presbyterian Church., African American Presbyterians., Ordination of gays., Ordination of lesbians.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:154093
Title:
Arthur Fullerton oral history, 2019.
Description:
Arthur Fullerton was a member of More Light Churches in New York City, Los Angeles (including West Hollywood Presbyterian Church), and Albany, New York. In 2017, he became the first openly gay Moderator of Albany Presbytery.
Creator:
Fullerton, Arthur (interviewee)
Subject names:
More Light Presbyterians
Topics:
Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)--20th Century., Ordination of gays., Ordination of lesbians.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:153483
Title:
Lisa Larges oral history, 2019.
Description:
Lisa Larges, a 1989 graduate of San Francisco Theological Seminary, was first denied ordination as a minister of word and sacrament in 1993. She joined That All May Freely Serve in 2002, serving as regional coordinator, and later as minister coordinator. Her ordination by the Presbytery of San Francisco in 2009 was challenged and spent three years in Synod and GAPJC proceedings. In 2016, she was ordained as a teaching elder at the Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church (Minneapolis, MN).
Creator:
Larges, Lisa. (interviewee), Wittrig, Elizabeth L. (interviewer)
Subject names:
That All May Freely Serve, More Light Presbyterians
Topics:
Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Presbyterian Church, Sexual orientation--Religious aspects--Christianity, Ordination of gays, Ordination of lesbians
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:150251
Title:
David B. Smith oral history, 2019.
Description:
David B. Smith is a Presbyterian minister, serving Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church (Bryn Mawr, Pa.). He grew up in western North Carolina, and attended Montreat College and Montreat Presbyterian Church (Montreat, N.C.). He completed a Master of Divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary, and was ordained by the Presbytery of Philadelphia in 2018.
Creator:
Smith, David B. (interviewee), Wittrig, Elizabeth L. (interviewer)
Topics:
Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:146379
Title:
Life Stories (1994)
Description:
Video created by the Lazarus Project, a Presbyterian ministry dedicated to reconciling the church with its LGBTQ community. Began in 1977 at West Hollywood Presbyterian Church. Dissolved in 2007 after 30 years of ministry.
Subject names:
West Hollywood Presbyterian Church (Los Angeles, Calif.), Lazarus Project.
Topics:
Homosexuality--Religious Aspects--Presbyterian Church--20th century
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:145237
Title:
Laird J. Stuart.
Subject names:
Stuart, Laird J., 1943---Portraits.
Topics:
Presbyterian Church--Clergy--United States--Portraits.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:144530
Title:
Jerry Andrews oral history, 2017.
Description:
Jerry Andrews, Presbyterian minister, was born and raised in Detroit, Mich. He was senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) from 1992 to 2009, and of First Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Calif.) since 2009. From 1992 on, Andrews was an organizer and moderator of conservative Presbyterian groups, the Genevans, the Fellowship of Presbyterians, and ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians.
Creator:
Andrews, Jerry, 1953- (interviewee), Hessel, Beth Shalom. (interviewer)
Subject names:
Andrews, Jerry, 1953-, Genevans., Presbyterian Coalition.
Topics:
Evangelicalism--Presbyterian Church., Christian conservatism--United States., Religious institutions.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:141950

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