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Washington Association of Churches records, approximately 1920-1996

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Washington Association of Churches
Title
Washington Association of Churches records
Dates
approximately 1920-1996 (inclusive)
1935-1996 (bulk)
Quantity
113 cubic feet
Collection Number
1567, 5426
Summary
Papers of an ecumenical church organization
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Access to portions of the papers restricted. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Some material stored offsite; advance notice required for use.

Request at UW

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was partially provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Historical Note

The Washington Association of Churches is thought to have existed in some form since 1919. The name was originally the Washington-Northern Idaho Council of Christian Education, changing in 1935 to the Washington and Northern Idaho Council of Churches. The name was shortened to Washington-Northern Idaho Council of Churches in 1959. In 1968 the state council title was changed to Washington State Council of Churches; in 1975, it was renamed the Washington Association of Churches.

The Council of Churches of Washington and Northern Idaho was created by a group of Protestant churches as their agency for cooperative planning, Christian fellowship and united action. Its membership was composed of participating denominations in Washington and Northern Idaho and accredited local councils of churches. In 1966, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle joined the Greater Seattle Council of Churches.

The Council's work was divided into three major divisions: 1) Christian Education, including children's work, youth work, campus ministry, adult work and family life, and pastoral conferences 2) Christian Missions, including evangelism, church planning and strategy, town and country, migrant work, Church world service, faith and order, and 3) Christian Social Relationships, including legislation, church and economic life, social welfare and institutional ministry, international relations, religious liberty, racial and cultural relations. In addition to the divisions, three commissions, Budget and Finance, Public Relations, and Research were constituted to implement the program of the Council. The Departments of United Church Women and United Church Men were formed to "promote and interpret" the program. Each division, commission and department was responsible to the General Board of the Council. An Executive Committee was empowered to act for the Board between its meetings. The General Secretary was the foremost staff member and provided continuity to the Council. This position was held by Gertrude Apel from 1930 until 1958. She was succeeded by Ralph Turnidge, 1959-1964, and Clement Hahn, 1964-1966.

The Washington Association of Churches (WAC) continues to serve as an association of 10 Christian denominations and 11 ecumenical organization which work together on the task of ecumenism in Washington State. Since 1975, WAC has served as a focal point for dialogue, advocacy, action and reflection, facilitating meetings between member churches and forming partnerships with a diverse range of organizations and communities.

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Content Description

Organizational records documenting the ecumenical mission of the Washington Association of Churches and their efforts to establish and administer social programs. Includes correspondence, reports, bulletins, minutes, lists, legislation, subject series, committee records, financial records, conferences and conventions, clippings, programs, ephemera; 1920-1996 (bulk 1935-1996).

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation or publication. Contact Special Collections for more details.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Arranged in 3 accessions:

  • Accession No. 1567-001, Washington and Northern Idaho Council of Churches and Christian Education records, 1920-1969 (bulk 1940-1966)
  • Accession No. 1567-002, Washington and Northern Idaho Council of Churches and Christian Education records, 1922-1968 (bulk 1940-1968)
  • Accession No. 5426-001, Washington Association of Churches records, 1935-1996

Related Materials

Sea also the Church Council of Greater Seattle records, Collection No. 1358 in the Repository.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Local councils of churches--Idaho--History--Sources
  • Local councils of churches--Washington (State)--History--Sources
  • Local councils of churches--Washington (State)--Seattle--History--Sources
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)

Corporate Names

  • Church Council of Greater Seattle--Archives
  • Greater Seattle Council of Churches--Archives
  • Seattle Council of Churches--Archives
  • Washington Association of Churches (Seattle, Wash.)--Archives
  • Washington State Council of Churches--Archives
  • Washington and Northern Idaho Council of Churches and Christian Education--Archives

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Apel, Gertrude L (creator)
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