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Commission on Archives and History of The UMC

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Commission on Archives and History of The UMC

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The Archives and History Center was officially opened on October 2, 1982. to 5:00 P.M. Contact Information: GCAH, 36 Madison Avenue, P.O.

The General Commission Archives and History serves as the official repository of The United Methodist Church, promoting and preserving the history of The UMC and its antecedent denominations. It contains a museum, a library, a spacious, state-of-the-art archival vault, and the administrative offices of the General Commission on Archives and History. The Center houses a large collection of books, documents, records, photographs, and artifacts related to United Methodist history. The Center is located on the campus of Drew University and is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. Box 127, Madison, NJ 07940; 973-408-3189; FAX: 973-408-3909; Internet: www.gcah.org. The General Commission on Archives and History

Organized in 1968, the General Commission on Archives and History is one of the general agencies of The United Methodist Church. The Commission has 24 members from across the connection. Its offices are located in the Archives Center. Through its publications, workshops, research services and other programs, the staff of the General Commission seeks to fulfill its mission to help the church remember its roots and development. The staff of five offer assistance to local churches and Annual Conferences as time and resources permit. The Commission maintains relationships with the five Jurisdictional Commissions on Archives and History, the Central Conferences, the United Methodist Historical Society of The United Methodist Church, the World Methodist Historical Society, the World Methodist Council, and the Charles Wesley Society. Methodist History, the official historical journal of The United Methodist Church, is published quarterly by the General Commission. The sixty-four page publication continues to make available research on the historical life and work of the church. You may read back issues for free by visiting the GCAH website. Subscription forms are available online to purchase printed copies. Other publications on the history and heritage of The United Methodist Church are also available for free download or purchase in print from our GCAH website. Information about membership in the Historical Society of The United Methodist Church may also be secured by visiting www.umchistory.org.

11/02/2026

November 3rd, 2026 is Election Day in the United States. John Wesley had some advice for voters in 1774. 250 years later, his words still invite us to consider the relationship between political participation, Christian discipleship, and how we treat those with whom we disagree.

10/31/2026

With both sadness and gratitude for a life well-lived, we share news of the passing of our friend and former GCAH general secretary, Alfred (Fred) T. Day III (pictured far right). Fred died Oct. 29 2026, following a brief illness. He was 75 years old.

Fred served GCAH in its top post from 2014 to 2020.

"Fred understood that the ministry of memory is a living responsibility—to help the church remember who we are and imagine who God calls us to become," says Dr. Ashley Boggan, GCAH's current general secretary.

"As his successor at GCAH, I am grateful for the foundation he helped build and the passion for Methodist history he shared so generously.

"As his friend, I grieve the loss of someone whose love for the church gave that history heart. I will miss him, and I will carry his commitment to making our past speak to our present into the work ahead."

Please see the link in the comments for an obituary written by Bishop John R. Schol.

We will share additional tributes to Fred and his ministry in the coming days. Please join us in remembering his wife, Linda, and their family in your prayers.

Photo from the April 2025 retirement celebration for longtime GCAH staff member Michelle Merkel-Brunskill, who worked for the three general secretaries pictured (l-r): Rev. Robert J. “Bob” Williams, Dr. Ashley Boggan, Rev. Alfred "Fred" T. Day III; Michelle Merkel-Brunskill (front). Photo courtesy of GCAH.

10/30/2026

This Sunday (November 1st) marks All Saints' Day, a holy day in the life of The United Methodist Church. The Church remembers the saints of old and the communion of the saints, those people who imitated Christ through their life and witness and are now in greater fellowship with God on a brighter shore. To commemorate the day we wanted to share some of John Wesley's thoughts on All Saints' Day.

We hope your time in worship this weekend is meaningful and full of hope, because United Methodists make history.

10/28/2026

First came the knocking. Then the footsteps.

And finally, even the family dog began trembling at something no one could see.

It was December 1716, and something strange was happening inside the Wesley family home in Epworth, England.

Seven decades later, John Wesley recounted these mysterious events in his Arminian Magazine. From our Archives, we share the story of Old Jeffrey, the Wesley family's paranormal visitor. Check the link in the comments.

Illustration by Canva/AI

10/26/2026

Two hundred fifty-five years ago, Francis Asbury arrived in America, forever changing the Methodist movement.

When Asbury arrived in Philadelphia from Bristol, England, on Oct. 27, 1771, there were approximately 600 Methodists in America. During his 45 years of ministry, he traveled an estimated 300,000 miles and preached approximately 16,500 sermons. By his death in 1816, the Methodist movement in America had grown to 200,000 members.

Clearly, Asbury was a man who would love boldly, serve joyfully and lead courageously as he shared the love of God to all he encountered.

10/23/2026

This year marks the 25th anniversary of a special Bristol consultation focused on “Las Obras de Juan Wesley,” the Spanish translation of John Wesley’s works.

Scholars are celebrating that milestone by publishing an upcoming volume of selected writings. The 14 volumes of “Las Obras” are fully digitized and available for free download.

Check the link in the comments to learn more.

10/20/2026

On Oct. 21, 1735 - 291 years ago - John and Charles Wesley set sail from their home in Great Britain, headed to the colonies on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. John was set to be a missionary for the Society for the Propogation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. Charles was employed as secretary to the governor, Colonel James Oglethorpe, of this new British colony named Georgia. While on board, the Wesley brothers met a group of Moravians, an encounter that would impact the future of Methodism.

10/19/2026

The Council of Bishops' Leadership Gathering is set to begin Oct. 20 in Calgary, where more than two years of planning comes to fruition in an historic moment for The United Methodist Church.

Dr. Ashley Boggan, who has already arrived in Calgary, has been a key leader during the planning for this week of discernment and visioning by participants from around the worldwide connection for what The UMC is yet to be.

You can watch the livestream, beginning Oct. 21, at ResourceUMC.org/LeadershipGathering.

10/17/2026

We could not be prouder to announce recipients of recent awards from the General Commission on Archives and History!

Mark Shenise and the Rev. Dr. Laceye Warner have each been honored with the Distinguished Service Award. The Q***r Delegate Caucus received the Contemporary History Trailblazer Award, with the Rev. Effie McAvoy accepting on behalf of the group.

Read all the details at the link in the comments and share your congratulations!

10/15/2026

We close out by sharing this repeat episode of "Un-Tied Methodism" that features La Trinidad United Methodist Church.

Founded in 1876, La Trinidad UMC is one of the longest serving Mexican American congregation in The UMC.

Dr. Ashley Boggan talks with the Rev. John Feagins about how this historic church in San Antonio, Texas, redefined itself by rediscovering its rich cultural identity.

Check out the link to listen: https://tinyurl.com/UnTiedMethodismLaTrinidad

Address

36 Madison Avenue
Madison, NJ
07960

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

https://www.resourceumc.org/ArchivesandHistory

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