Archives


Kentucky Baptist Archives

The Kentucky Baptist Convention Archives serves as the repository for historical information about the work of the Convention, associations and churches.

Have you been making an effort to preserve your ancient, your old and your recent church records for posterity? It's not too late! Don't wait until you have a significant church anniversary approaching before you realize what was lost for all time. Begin by talking with long-time members about the people, events, problems, concerns, and programs of your church. Capture these precious memories on audio or video, then transcribe. You're on your way to perserving your heritage. Contact Archives for a church history workshop!

Organization
The Archives staff works to:
  1. develop the collection of records and materials that most completely reflect the life, times, ministry, mission and spirit of Kentucky Baptists;
  2. promote the recording and preservation of this history among the churches, associations, agencies and institutions of the KBC;
  3. provide access to the archives and library in appropriate fashion for Kentucky Baptists and other legitimate researchers;
  4. encourage research and sponsor programs and workshops that enhance the collection of our history and sustain an awareness of this history in the forefront of Kentucky Baptist life;
  5. assist Kentucky Baptist churches and associations with the preservation and celebration of their histories.
Hours of Operation
Archives staff is available Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Eastern Time. The hours are sometimes rescheduled due to other assignments of the staff. Research hours are by appointment. An appointment made before your visit is recommended in order for staff to determine whether relevant information is available. Archives management does not encourage genealogical research as staffing is unavailable for such and pertinent information is seldom found.

Consulting
The KBC archivist is available for church history workshops.  Workshop topics include: beginning an archives, preservation, writing a history and celebrating. Contact the KBC archivist by e-mail at archives@kybaptist.org or call (502) 245-4101.

Holdings
(Present historical contributions invited. Call Archives for appropriateness for our collection.)
  • Annuals of the original General Association of Baptists in Kentucky (org. 1837) and those since the name change to Kentucky Baptist Convention in 1961
  • Convention committee activities and records
  • Executive Board’s minutes and its committees’ minutes
  • Executive Board departmental staff, program, assignments and records
  • Convention and Executive Board budgets
  • Executive secretary and treasurers’ writings
  • Portraits of executive secretaries
  • Baptist Christian Education Committee minutes and records
  • Histories:
    • Spencer, J. H. Published Histories of Kentucky Baptists. 2 vol. 1886
    • Masters, Frank. A History of Baptists in Kentucky. 1953
    • Crismon, Leo T. Baptists in Kentucky 1776-1976: A Bicentennial Volume. 1975
    • Nowlin, W. D. Kentucky Baptist History 1770-1922.
    • Bolin, James Duane. Kentucky Baptists 1925-2000: A History of Cooperation.  2000
    • Small volumes of Kentucky Baptist work and ministry
    • Histories, Annuals/Minutes of local Baptist associations
    • Western Recorder bound volumes and index volumes, 1969-present (indexed at the rate of one back copies plus current copy per year)
    • Pictures, slides, tapes, etc. (very limited)
  • KBC institutions--reports, general information: Georgetown College, Campbellsville College, Cumberland College, Oneida Baptist Institute, Clear Creek Baptist Bible College and other institutions which are no longer in existence; research manuals: Baptist Hospitals, Baptist Homes for Children
  • Kentucky Baptist Historical Society’s records and publications
  • Southern Baptist Convention: SBC Encyclopedia. 4 vols.
  • Church and association histories (approximately 1000 total)
  • SBC Annuals. 1913-present
  • Annuals of other Baptist state conventions: latest two years
Location of Holdings
Most holdings are located in the Archives at the Kentucky Baptist Convention building in Louisville. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Library has some items that pre-date KBC’s and some duplicates. The Southern Baptist Convention Library and Archives, Nashville also houses some Kentucky holdings.