The Committee on History firmly believes in the importance of preserving Presbyterian history right across the country. We know, as well, that preservation of church records is a legal requirement of our denomination. Our history is alive in the buildings in which we worship, in the beauty of our stained glass windows, in our books, records and other artifacts. Preserving them is another way in which we Presbyterians can be good stewards, standing behind our faith and ready to pass all of these things on to the generations who will follow us.
The Committee has always had a close connection with the Archives. Until the restructuring of 50 Wynford Drive in 1993, the Archives and Archivist were the direct responsibility of the Committee. With the Archives and Records Office now coming under the General Assembly Office, the Committee on History now maintains a connection through an advisory role. The Committee Convener sits as a member of the Archives Committee and the Archivist/Records Administrator sits as a ex-officio member of the Committee on History.
Presbyterian History Newsletter
Presbyterian History, a newsletter of the Committee on History, contains articles on various aspects of the history of our church and is published twice a year. The current editor is the Rev. Peter Bush, who is always looking for articles in the 2,000 word range.
Projects
The Committee has been actively involved in many projects over the years, such as:
- Producing Communion Tokens in Centennial year in 1975.
- Publishing four volumes of Called to Witness – biographical sketches of prominent Presbyterians.
- The Presbyterian Church Index – This project was commenced in 1994 by Michael Millar to compile a list of every Canadian Presbyterian congregation and minister since the 18th century.
- Publishing 2 volumes of Gifts & Graces, edited by Dr. John Moir – biographical sketches of prominent Presbyterian women.
- Active Evangelism – A conference hosted by the Committee was held at Knox College on May 24 and 25, 2002.
- Publishing Remembering Your Heritage: Researching and Writing A Congregational History by Dr. Andy den Otter (2003)
Remembering Your Heritage: Researching and Writing A Congregational History by Dr. Andy den Otter (Member, Committee on History)
For years congregations have asked us if this type of resource existed for the Presbyterian Church.
This 22 page resource is full of information on all aspects of writing your history such as:
- Why write a history?
- What is History?
- Who will do the History?
- Where do we find the Information?
- How do we Record the Information?
- How do we tell our Story?
It is fully illustrated production and provides style guides to footnoting, tips on using Archives, and a helpful bibliography. It is now available at a low cost of $2.00. Please order through The Book Room.
No congregation should be without their own copy!
Creating Oral History for The Presbyterian Church in Canada
This is a project to interview and record the faith and life journeys of ministers, missionaries – ordained and lay, and other Presbyterians with interesting stories to tell.
For more information contact The Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Hamilton, Convener of the Committee on History.
Prizes
The Student Essay Prize
In 2003, the Committee on History established a Canadian Presbyterian History Student Prize of $50.00 to be awarded to students of the three Church Colleges for essays that are selected for publication in Presbyterian History.
The first recipient was Mary F. Campbell of Knox College for the paper entitled The Impact of the Residential School Experience on the Contemporary Approach of The Presbyterian Church in Canada to Relationships with Aboriginal Peoples.
The Rev. Dr. T. Melville Bailey History Prizes
Each year the Committee awards two prizes of $50 each – one for the best congregational history, and one for the best academic publication. Publications are to be submitted to the Archives and Records Office, 50 Wynford Dr., by the 31st of December each year. All publications under consideration are deposited in the Church Archives following the evaluation process.
The 131st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada granted permission to rename these prizes “The Rev. Dr. T. Melville Bailey History Prize” in recognition of the late Dr. Bailey’s invaluable contributions to the Committee on History, the Presbyterian Archives, the Presbyterian Museum and the Presbyterian Church in Canada as a whole.