ARCHIVES OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF IDAHO
MSS 91
in Boise State University, Albertsons Library Special Collections Department Boise, Idaho USA
The Archives of the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho were donated to Boise State University in 1989. The ties between the Episcopal Church and the university are old ones. Boise State University was founded as Boise Junior College by the Right Rev. Middleton S. Barnwell, Bishop of Idaho, in 1932. It remained a church institution during the first few years of its existence.
Besides records of bishops, committees, conventions, and special projects (most of which date from the twentieth century), the collection includes the original registers of defunct parishes and microfilm of the registers of many of the active parishes. (The original registers of active parishes remain with the parishes.) The oldest records in the collection are the parish registers from Saint James Parish, Silver City, dating back to the 1860s. While most of the diocesan records date mainly from the mid-to late twentieth century, records of the Women's auxiliary are an exception; they go back to the early 20th century.
The following series are open for public inspection without advance permission of the diocese:
Series 1: Constitutions, canons, and convention journals
Series 7: Parish surveys
Series 19: Historical reference files
Series 6 (Clergy and personnel files) are confidential and will not be open for research in the near future.
For the time being, research in any other parts of the collection requires the permission of the diocese. Interested researchers are encouraged to seek permission. Consult an archivist for assistance in securing permission. The diocesan office is located at 1858 Judith Lane, Boise, Idaho 83705. Phone (208) 345-4440.
A list of the series, with links to their inventories, follow:
Series list
Series 1: Constitutions, Canons, and Convention Journals,1907-1992
Series 2: Diocesan Council and other bodies (Chiefly minutes and meeting files, 1869-1984)
Series 3: Election and Consecration of Bishops, 1957-1982
Series 4: Records of Bishop Foote, 1957-1969 (See also the Personal Papers of Bishop Norman Foote MSS 55)
Series 5: Records of Bishop King, 1972-1981
Series 6: Clergy and Personal files, 1918-1983 (Not open for research)
Series 7: Parish surveys, 1953-1959 (Chiefly from the 1959 diocesan survey of parishes)
Series 8: Parish files, 1903-1981 (Miscellaneous documents arranged by parish)
Series 9: Idaho Pilot Diocese Project, 1965-1969
Series 10: Idaho Ad Project, 1984-l985
Series 11: Paradise Point, 1955-1982
Series 12: Prayer Book Revision, 1968-1978
Series 13: Financial Records, 1935-1981
Series 14: Sold Property records, 1903-1979
Series 15: Women of the Episcopal Church, 1902-1970
Series 16: Confirmation records, 1900-1982
Series 17: Diocesan registers, 1899-1972
Series 18: Parish registers and records, 1867-1996
Series 19: Historical reference files (Articles, clippings, etc.)
Series 20: Miscellaneous files
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