NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Although the agency which operated the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives will close in June, the SBHLA will continue to collect and preserve the denomination’s history.
Formerly operated by the Southern Baptist Historical Commission, the SBHLA officially changes administration this summer during the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in Dallas.
The change comes as part of the SBC “Covenant for a New Century” restructuring, approved by messengers to the 1995 and ’96 annual meetings and initially recommended by the Program and Structure Study Committee, formed by the SBC Executive Committee in response to a motion referred from the 1993 SBC annual meeting in Houston.
The SBHLA was established in 1938 as a part of the Southern Baptist Historical Society. For the past 40-plus years the collection has been operated by the Historical Commission.
R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a member of the Program and Structure Study Committee, said keeping the SBHLA was a priority for the PSSC even though the committee recommended the closure of the Historical Commission.
“The (PSSC) was committed to maintain the important function of the Historical Commission in the preservation and collection of Baptist materials and the operation of a research library for Baptist studies,” Mohler stated. “Therefore, the committee established the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives and assigned the governance of this new entity to the Council of Seminary Presidents.”
The SBHLA, a world center for the study of Baptist history, will continue to function from its home facility in Nashville, Tenn.
The Council of Seminary Presidents has named Bill Sumners executive director of the collection. Sumners has served as director of library and archives for the SBHLA since 1990. In addition to Sumners, the SBHLA staff will consist of Peggy Hester, assistant librarian; Jean Forbis, library clerk; and Howard Gallimore, archival assistant.
“Sumners is a seasoned and well-respected Baptist historian whose long service with the Historical Commission establishes continuity with the new Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives,” Mohler noted, predicting Southern Baptist churches, organizations and agencies at every level will trust the SBHLA’s administration under Sumners.
The SBHLA represents one of the major denominational collections in the nation. By convention assignment, it serves as the central depository and archives of selected Southern Baptist Convention records of current and former denominational agencies. The collection also features more than 25,000 books; more than 71,000 annuals of Baptist associations and conventions; the personal papers of pastors, missionaries and denominational leaders; hundreds of historic photographs; and numerous rare books dating from the early 1600s.
According to Sumners, seminary and state historical collections will continue to interact with the SBHLA. “The new relationship with the seminary presidents should create a closer relationship between the seminary libraries and the SBHLA,” he said. “The task of documenting Southern Baptist history … is a cooperative effort for the state collections, the seminary archives, SBC agencies and the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives.”
When several SBC agencies are closed later this year as part of the denomination’s restructuring, their records will become part of the SBHLA collection. “It is important that not only historical records be preserved but that legal and personnel records be retained,” Sumners
noted.
As a service to Southern Baptist churches, the SBHLA will continue to microfilm historical records and will place a microfilmed copy of these records in its fireproof vault in Nashville. Churches wanting more information on having their church records microfilmed or people interested in purchasing microfilmed copies of Baptist periodicals, annuals, pamphlets, church, associational or state records should call the SBHLA at (615) 244-0344.
All researchers are welcome at the SBHLA. Some items in the collection have access restrictions stipulated by the donor. Sumners suggested researchers schedule an appointment with the library staff prior to visiting the SBHLA. Appointments may be made by calling the same number.
Said Mohler: “We certainly encourage Southern Baptist churches, associations and individuals to commit (their) materials to the trust and good care of the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives.”
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