ABHMS calls for historical documents, artifacts
VALLEY FORGE, PA (8/3/21)⸺Are you taking time this summer to clean out the boxes and cobwebs that fill nooks and crannies in basements and attics—whether they are in your home or your church? Maybe files of old documents clutter shelves in a church office? Treasures often hide in plain view, too, on desks and in display cases.
When you clean out attics and basements, shelves and longtime display cases, any time of year, please watch for documents and items related to American Baptist Home Mission Societies and Judson Press. ABHMS is collecting documents and items that tell its story of mission and ministry over close to two centuries.
ABHMS’ new home—the Leadership and Mission Building at 1075 First Ave., King of Prussia, Pa.—was specially designed with commemorative hallways illuminated with special lighting for historical exhibits. These exhibits will be created with documents and artifacts related to the founding of The American Baptist Home Mission Society in 1832, the Baptist General Tract Society (now Judson Press) in 1824, and the growth and mission of these societies into the 21st century.
ABHMS ministries—from the days of John Mason Peck’s church planting on the western frontier of the 1800s to the ongoing work of rebuilding Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria—tell the story of American Baptist mission bringing hope and healing to a world sorely in need of the gospel. Lifting up this legacy of history will inspire generations to come to continue ministering to those in need across the United States and Puerto Rico.
ABHMS is interested in collecting documents and items related to the organizations that, over time, have combined to form today’s mission society:
- The American Baptist Home Mission Society,
- Baptist General Tract Society,
- Women’s Baptist Home Mission Society,
- Baptist Missionary Training School (Chicago),
- Woman’s American Baptist Home Mission Society,
- American Baptist Publication Society,
- American Baptist Education Society and
- National Ministries (ABHMS was known by this name from 1972 to 2010).
Should you have or uncover any documents or items related to the organizations above, please email susan.gottshall@abhms.org or call 610.768.2119.
American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.
