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:
Rev. Bear Ride, Rev. Susan Craig, and Brian Symonds.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: Joyful: The Rev. Bear Ride, left, and her spouse, the Rev. Susan Craig, celebrate with Brian Symonds, a gay ministerial candidate, after a Pacific Presbytery vote. A Minnesota vote put the U.S. ratification over the top. [Clipping from the May 11, 2011 issue of the Los Angeles Times.]
Creator:
Gauthier, Robert. (photographer), Los Angeles times. (publisher)
Subject names:
Ride, Bear, 1953-, Craig, Susan., Gaeta-Symonds, Brian., Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Presbytery of the Pacific.
Topics:
Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Presbyterian Church., Ordination of gays--Presbyterian Church., Ordination of lesbians--Presbyterian Church., Presbyterian women--United States., Presbyterian Church--Clergy.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:348011
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:
Dan Smith memorial service, 2023.
Description:
Dan Smith was a Presbyterian and Congregationalist minister, longtime pastor of West Hollywood United Church of Christ. He was born 2 February 1953 in Buffalo, N.Y., and educated at SUNY Fredonia and Princeton Theological Seminary. He was a conscientious objector during the American war in Vietnam. He was ordained in 1978 and spent six years installed at First Presbyterian Church (Geneva, N.Y.) before moving to Los Angeles. He took the pastorate of West Hollywood Presbyterian Church (Los Angeles, Calif.) in 1984, becoming the first openly gay minister installed in a PC(USA) congregation. During his tenure the congregation would spearhead AIDS ministry in West Hollywood, and build the Lazarus Project, dedicated to reconciling the church with its LGBTQ community. Smith retired in 2020. He died 12 June 2023.
Creator:
Smith, Daniel Edmund, 1953-2023. (dedicatee), West Hollywood United Church of Christ (Los Angeles, Calif.) (creator)
Subject names:
West Hollywood Presbyterian Church (Los Angeles, Calif.), Smith, Daniel Edmund, 1953-2023.
Topics:
LGBTQ+ Presbyterians., Gay clergy.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:345470
Title:
Holly and KC Clark-Porter oral history, 2023.
Description:
Reverend Holly Clark-Porter and Reverend KC Clark-Porter discuss growing up in Texas; attendance of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary; their joint ordination service at First & Central Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware (Newcastle Presbytery); the pastoral capacities in which they've served the Church; and the barriers they faced during their ordinations and ministerial work. They reflect on the fight for marriage and ordination rights of LGBTQIA+ Presbyterians within the Church. Additionally, KC reflects on coming out as trans and life as a transgender man.
Creator:
Clark-Porter, Holly. (interviewee), Clark-Porter, KC. (interviewee), Shilstut, Natalie. (interviewer)
Subject names:
Clark-Porter, Holly., Clark-Porter, KC., Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary., Presbyterian Welcome (Organization), First & Central Presbyterian Church (Wilmington, Del.)
Topics:
Ordination of gays--Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Ordination of lesbians--Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Homophobia., Same-sex marriage--Religious aspects--Presbyterians., Transgender men.
Geographic subjects:
El Paso (Tex.), Wilmington (Del.), Fredonia (N.Y.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:345294
Title:
Interview of Dean H. Lewis by R. Douglas Brackenridge, Tape 2, Side 1.
Description:
Cassette tape 2, side 1 of an interview recorded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from March 11 to 12, 1988. Dean Lewis discusses the functions of the Advisory Council on Church and Society and the processes of establishing task forces. Part of a 5 cassette tape set.
Creator:
Lewis, Dean, 1926-2021. (interviewee), Brackenridge, R. Douglas. (interviewer)
Subject names:
United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Advisory Council on Church and Society., Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Advisory Council on Church and Society., United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Task Force to Study Homosexuality.
Topics:
Church and the world., Social policy., Church polity.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:344680
Title:
Babs Miller oral history, 2023.
Description:
Oral history with Babs Miller, parish associate at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (Austin, Tex.), on her career in ministry, including with Metropolitan Community Church (Austin, Tex.) during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, and as an evangelist with That All May Freely Serve (TAMFS) in the 2000s. Babs Miller is a Presbyterian minister, ordained by Mission Presbytery in 2014. Born in Victoria, Texas in 1942, she attended the Presbyterian School for Christian Education (Richmond, Va.) in the 1960s, and worked as a Christian educator, a social worker, and a high school teacher in Texas. She went to Austin Theological Seminary from 1987 to 1990, came out as a lesbian, and began work with Metropolitan Community Church (Austin, Tex.). From about 2004 to 2012 she was an evangelist with That All May Freely Serve (TAMFS). She has served as parish associate at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (Austin, Tex.) since 2014, and continues advocacy for GLBTQ+ rights, in particular protection of trans youth and their families threatened by Texas state law codifying trans health therapies as child abuse. Starting in 2015, Miller was part of the group at St. Andrew's, as part of the Austin Sanctuary Network, declaring public sanctuary for migrants, and helped a mother and child, Hilda and Ivan, seek asylum.
Creator:
Miller, Babs Ann, 1942- (interviewee), Staniunas, David. (interviewer)
Subject names:
Metropolitan Community Church (Austin, Tex.), That All May Freely Serve (Association), St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (Austin, Tex.)
Topics:
Ordination of lesbians--Presbyterians., Sanctuary movement., Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Presbyterians., Church work with immigrants.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:344175
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:
Becoming the Body.
Description:
Speech delivered by Rev. John M. Buchannan at the 1st Annual Conference of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians.
Creator:
Buchanan, John M., 1938- (author)
Subject names:
Covenant Network of Presbyterians--Archives., Covenant Network of Presbyterians., Buchanan, John M., 1938-
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:288043
Title:
Chris Glaser oral history, 2022.
Description:
Chris Glaser was raised as an American Baptist in North Hollywood, California. He joined the Presbyterian Church in 1970 while in college at California State University, Northridge. He was an ordained elder at First Presbyterian Church of Van Nuys. From 1976 to 1978, he served as the only openly gay member of the UPCUSA Task Force to Study Homosexuality. From 1977 to 1987, he served as the founding director of the Lazarus Project, a ministry of reconciliation between the church and the LGBTQ community in Los Angeles, located at West Hollywood Presbyterian Church. He also served as the second national coordinator and treasurer of Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns (PLGC) and as editor of its newsletters (More Light). Interview covers the 1978 General Assembly, the UPCUSA Task Force to Study Homosexuality, the Lazarus Project, and Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns (PLGC).
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:288002
Title:
Chris Glaser oral history transcript, 2022.
Description:
Transcript of oral history interview with Chris Glaser. He was raised as an American Baptist in North Hollywood, California. He joined the Presbyterian Church in 1970 while in college at California State University, Northridge. He was an ordained elder at First Presbyterian Church of Van Nuys. From 1976 to 1978, he served as the only openly gay member of the UPCUSA Task Force to Study Homosexuality. From 1977 to 1987, he served as the founding director of the Lazarus Project, a ministry of reconciliation between the church and the LGBTQ community in Los Angeles, located at West Hollywood Presbyterian Church. He also served as the second national coordinator and treasurer of Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns (PLGC) and as editor of its newsletters (More Light). Interview covers the 1978 General Assembly, the UPCUSA Task Force to Study Homosexuality, the Lazarus Project, and Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns (PLGC). Transcript was extensively revised for clarity purposes by interviewee, Chris Glaser.
Creator:
Skaggs, Nicholas A. (interviewer), Glaser, Chris. (interviewee)
Subject names:
United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Task Force to Study Homosexuality., United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. General Assembly (190th : 1978 : San Diego, Calif.), Lazarus Project., Presbyterians for Lesbian/Gay Concerns., West Hollywood Presbyterian Church (Los Angeles, Calif.), Glaser, Chris.
Topics:
Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Presbyterian Church., Ordination of gays., Ordination of lesbians.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:287989
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:
Chris Glaser oral history, 2022.
Description:
Chris Glaser was raised as an American Baptist in North Hollywood, California. He joined the Presbyterian Church in 1970 while in college at California State University, Northridge. He was an ordained elder at First Presbyterian Church of Van Nuys. From 1976 to 1978, he served as the only openly gay member of the UPCUSA Task Force to Study Homosexuality. From 1977 to 1987, he served as the founding director of the Lazarus Project, a ministry of reconciliation between the church and the LGBTQ community in Los Angeles, located at West Hollywood Presbyterian Church. He also served as the second national coordinator and treasurer of Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns (PLGC) and as editor of its newsletters (More Light). Interview covers the 1978 General Assembly, the UPCUSA Task Force to Study Homosexuality, the Lazarus Project, and Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns (PLGC).
Creator:
Glaser, Chris. (interviewee), Skaggs, Nicholas A. (interviewer)
Subject names:
United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Task Force to Study Homosexuality., United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. General Assembly (190th : 1978 : San Diego, Calif.), Lazarus Project., Presbyterians for Lesbian/Gay Concerns., West Hollywood Presbyterian Church (Los Angeles, Calif.), Glaser, Chris.
Topics:
Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Presbyterian Church., Ordination of gays., Ordination of lesbians.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:287983
Title:
We Need Middle Ground
Subject names:
Covenant Network of Presbyterians--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:287104
Title:
Joanna Adams oral history, 2017.
Description:
Joanna Moseley Adams, Presbyterian minister, was born October 17, 1944 in Atlanta, Georgia. She attended Columbia Theological Seminary and was ordained in 1979. She served Central Presbyterian Church (Atlanta, Ga.), North Decatur Presbyterian Church (Decatur, Ga.), and Trinity Presbyterian Church (Atlanta, Ga.), before spending two years as co-pastor alongside John Buchanan at Fourth Presbyterian Church (Chicago, Ill.). From 1996 on she was an organizer for and moderator of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians. She retired in 2010.
Creator:
Hessel, Beth Shalom. (interviewer), Adams, Joanna. (interviewee)
Subject names:
Adams, Joanna., Covenant Network of Presbyterians., Trinity Presbyterian Church (Atlanta, Ga.), North Decatur Presbyterian Church (Decatur, Ga.), Central Presbyterian Church (Atlanta, Ga.)
Topics:
Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Presbyterian Church., Ordination of gays., Ordination of lesbians., Presbyterian women., Ecumenical movement., Social justice--Religious aspects--Presbyterian Church., Interfaith worship.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:286239
Title:
Letter from John Wilkinson to Robert Bohl and John Buchanan, July 23, 1997.
Description:
Features on the early planning phase of the national network of leaders and churches, later known as the Covenant Network of Presbyterians.
Creator:
Wilkinson, John. (author), Bohl, Robert W. (addressee), Buchanan, John M., 1938- (addressee)
Subject names:
Covenant Network of Presbyterians--Archives., Covenant Network of Presbyterians., Buchanan, John M., 1938-, Bohl, Robert W., Hart-Anderson, Timothy., Wilkinson, John.
Topics:
Ordination of gays--Presbyterian Church., Ordination of lesbians--Presbyterian Church.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:286236
Title:
Ideas for a position description for a coordinator.
Description:
Proposed position description for a coordinator position of a national network of leaders and churches, later known as the Covenant Network of Presbyterians. Prepared by Tim Hart-Anderson.
Creator:
Hart-Anderson, Timothy. (author)
Subject names:
Covenant Network of Presbyterians--Archives., Covenant Network of Presbyterians.
Topics:
Ordination of gays--Presbyterian Church., Ordination of lesbians--Presbyterian Church.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:286232
Title:
Letter from Pam Byers, September 22, 1997.
Description:
Regarding the Convening Gathering of the Covenant Network on September 19th. Addressed to both the Executive Committee Members and the National Committee Members.
Creator:
Byers, Pam, 1947-2014. (author)
Subject names:
Covenant Network of Presbyterians--Archives., Covenant Network of Presbyterians., Byers, Pam, 1947-2014.
Topics:
Ordination of gays--Presbyterian Church., Ordination of lesbians--Presbyterian Church.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:286229

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