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Diocese of Lexington Historiographer’s Report for 2012
The work of inventorying the Diocesan Collection of historical records, papers and archives,
hereafter known as the Collection, housed at UK King Library Special Collections, continued in
2012. The working inventory is stored on a flash drive, which Archdeacon Bryant Kibler also
has a copy of. As of the end of January 2013,120 boxes have been surveyed and inventoried.
There are approximately 25 more boxes to be surveyed.
Of particular importance during this report period was that the Collection was deeded as a gift to
UK Special Collections. Ruth Bryan, Director of Archives & University Archivist at UK, and I
presented the proposal, to transfer ownership of the Collection from the Diocese to UK to be
digitalized and preserved for perpetuity, at the December Executive Council meeting.
We requested that Carolyn Ware, Historian/Archivist for Christ Church Cathedral, be given
permission to take back ten boxes that will not be part of the diocesan transfer, and will remain
permanently in CC’s possession. If, after reviewing the entire collection, UK determines not to
retain some of the material, it will be returned to the Diocese. The proposal for the transfer
passed in the form of a motion.
As soon as all boxes in the Collection have been surveyed, Special Collections staff will work
with me to create a professional and on-line archival finding aid that will be keyword searchable
that researchers can use to understand what’s in the Collection.
Bryant Kibler has worked with Ruth Bryan and me for the past two years to help make this
transfer happen. His support and effort have been and continue to be invaluable and greatly
appreciated!
General contents of boxes inventoried as of January 2013 include the following.
Date range: 1829 - 2011
Churches: Correspondence, histories, profiles, stewardship/building campaigns, real
estate/legal matters, articles, deeds/property on churches throughout the Diocese, including a box
on defunct parishes/missions
Bishops of Dioceses of Kentucky and Lexington: Information, daily journals, business &
personal correspondence, sermons and other writings, elections, consecrations, retirement,
funerals, etc.
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The Episcopal Theological Seminary in Kentucky: History, founding, students/graduates,
faculty, closing, re-opening, photos, correspondence, original stationary, etc.
The (Church) Advocate: ranging from 1960 (possibly earlier) to 2010; some missing
Diocesan News, 1900 to 1947
Diocesan files: Alpha order containing a WIDE variety of Diocesan business, projects,
information and correspondence ranging from 1897 to 2000
DOL Convention/Council/Special Session Journals: ranging from 1829 to 1975. Some
journals are missing from this collection. There is also some duplication.
Sermons, meditations, poetry, booklets and other writings, most by priests and bishops;
Bishop Hosea: Twenty boxes (so far) containing wide range of correspondences, writings
including sermons and meditations, retreats, personal and military correspondence,
classes/teachings including Schools of Religion, etc.
Financial information: Included throughout the collection. Investments, bequests, trusts
Minutes of meetings of a variety of Committees, Councils, Trustees, Cathedral Chapter,
etc.
Registers of Church Services and Canonical Parish Registers
Photographs
St. Agnes House, Margaret Hall School
Women’s Programs: ECW, Auxiliary
Additions to collection this year:
-- Bible - Added to Collection by Carolyn Ware, Christ Church archivist, from Christ
Church. Presented to Nellie Stucky by Jos. Addison Stucky. Printed in Lexington, 1880s
-- Several folders on Stacy Sauls, from Carolyn Ware/CC.
-- DOL Executive Council Minutes & Files - 1986-1994; 2003/04 - 2010 from Shannon
Wilson, former Historiographer.
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- St. Matthew's, Lexington (cloth) church banner from Carolyn Ware/CC
Inquiries for information; correspondence/communication about Collection in 2012:
-- Mark Duffy, Director of Archives for the National Episcopal Church Archives in Austin
Correspondence about Bishop Moody papers that had been sent to National Archives previously,
and possible additional records/papers from our Diocese in their possession. Conversation about
what diocesan records are required to be deposited in The Archives of the Episcopal Church:
Feb, 2012
-- Historian/Archivist for Christ Church:
Brought files on Bishop Sauls, that had been at CC, to Special Collections. March, 2012
Conversations about what to do with original proofs for Ripe To the Harvest book written by
Frances Barr. These have been stored at Christ Church for years, are taking up much space, and
will never be used again. Beginning Feb, 2012.
Brought 1880’s bible from CC to Collection. Printed in Lexington. Had been presented to Nellie
Stucky by Joseph Addison Stucky. March, 2012
Brought two wall-size maps of Diocese to Special Collections that were then taken to Diocesan
offices by Bryant Kibler. One map has been colored, and the counties are marked. March,
2012
Several visits to King Special Collections for purpose of inventorying boxes labeled Christ
Church to determine if she wanted to transfer them back to CC. Ten boxes have been
permanently transferred to CC. February and March, 2012
-- Bryant Kibler, Diocesan Office
Visits to Special Collections to look over Collection, confer about it with Ruth Bryan, and look
through boxes Carolyn Ware wanted to take back to Christ Church. February and March, 2012
-- Member of Diocese
Search for parish records of Church of Our Saviour and its predecessor, Christ Church, both in
Richmond. Seeking to organize existing Vestry/Bishop's Committee minutes, correspondence,
etc. in part to construct a detailed time line to use with an oral history effort. Feb 2012
-- Researcher from New Orleans:
Seeking information on the Rev. Charles H. Thompson, a Negro priest from the Diocese of
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Georgia who became vicar of St. Andrew’s, Lexington in 1895. One paragraph of an article
written for the December 1980 Advocate mentioned Rev. Thompson, and basically said that he
had made some needed repairs to the church. Nothing else was found in this Collection about
him. July, 2012
-- Researcher/ Architectural Historian/Writer from Fargo, North Dakota
Seeking a photograph and any other historical information on the former St. John's Parish that
existed on East Main Street in Lexington from 1888 until its demolition in 1903. The building
had been designed by architect William Halsey Wood. A sketch of the church -"reconstruction
by the (late) Rev. Bill Hubbell, from contemporary sources" was found and a copy sent to the
researcher. April, 2012
-- Member of Diocese:
Seeking records/historical information for St. Raphael’s, Lexington from1960s and early 1970s.
Also interested in a file for the Episcopal Theological Seminary to search for photo of St.
Raphael’s first rector, Willard Page, who was dean of the Seminary. All for celebration of St.
R’s 50th Anniversary. Photos and some other info found. June, 2012
Submitted by Mary Brinkman
Historiographer/Registrar