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Archives and History
Welcome to the C. Wesley Christman Archives of the New York Annual Conference!
The Archives, located at the Conference Center in White Plains, NY, holds treasures that reflect the earliest history, not only of our denomination but also of our country: the saddlebags of circuit rider Freeborn Garrettson, congregational records from many closed churches within the Conference area, and in more recent history, testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee.
Our mission is to
- preserve the official records of the New York Annual Conference.
- assist local churches in preserving their historical records.
- carry out the provisions of the Book of Discipline related to the Commission and its purpose.
The C. Wesley Christman Archives receives its funding through Shared Ministry Apportionments and is guided by the Commission on Archives and History of the New York Annual Conference.
What We Do
The C. Wesley Christman Archives collects conference records, closed church records
, personal collections, journals, and monographs relating to the history and mission of the New York Annual Conference. Visit our collections page (currently under construction) for an overview of the materials we hold. See "Got church records? We can help!" for information on how we can assist your church in managing its records.
, personal collections, journals, and monographs relating to the history and mission of the New York Annual Conference. Visit our collections page (currently under construction) for an overview of the materials we hold. See "Got church records? We can help!" for information on how we can assist your church in managing its records. The Archives, under the direction of the Commission on Archives & History...
- uses professionally accepted archival standards to manage the collections placed in its care.
- houses and preserves historical records of abandoned/discontinued churches within the bounds of the New York Annual Conference and its antecedents.
- works with the General Commission on Archives and History to designate historic sites and heritage landmarks within the New York Annual Conference.
- serves as an archival role model to churches within the New York Annual Conference.
While the Archives is not currently equipped to host researchers onsite, we are glad to respond to inquiries and research requests, and we receive scheduled visitors by appointment. Staffed by a professional archivist three days per week with assistance from volunteers, the Archives usually is open each week on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Please contact us at archives@nyac.com or telephone 914.997.1570, ext. 128, for more information.
About Our Name…
The Archives of the New York Annual Conference is named for the late Rev. C. Wesley Christman, Jr. (1909-2004), long-time Methodist pastor and church historian. Reverend Christman was president of the New York Conference Historical Society (the predecessor of today’s Commission on Archives and History) for nearly thirty years, served in many leadership roles in regional Methodist historical societies and edited the regional newsletter for nearly forty years. Reverend Christman served as Conference Secretary, Archivist and in a number of other roles in the New York Annual Conference. We are grateful for his visionary leadership, and the Archives was consecrated and named for Reverend Christman in 2002.