Council supports relocation of Episcopal Church Records to Diocese of Atlanta
The Episcopal Church Archives to Move to a New Permanent Location
The Episcopal Church has announced that its Archives will be moving to a new permanent location within the Diocese of Atlanta. The decision, authorized by the Executive Council, the church's interim governing body, comes after a unanimous vote during their June 23-25 meeting.
The property in question is the 3.5-acre property in Oakwood, Georgia, formerly St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church. The church closed in October 2023, and the Executive Council has been considering various options for the site since then.
The DeKoven Center, a historic Episcopal campus in Racine, Wisconsin, had initially been considered as a potential location for the Archives. However, the move will not benefit from the unique offerings of The DeKoven campus, including tranquil surroundings, historic Episcopal character, spiritual and missional alignment, and a deeply rooted tradition of hospitality. The DeKoven Center expressed its disappointment with the decision, stating that it would have been an ideal location for the Archives.
The DeKoven Center, however, has announced that it will serve as the financier and landlord for the new premises of the Episcopal Church Archives. The Executive Council had initially authorized negotiations for a potential long-term lease of space at the DeKoven Center in January 2024.
The Diocese of Atlanta site was the only recommendation for the new location of The Episcopal Church Archives, receiving unanimous backing from the Archives Advisory Committee and two committees of Executive Council. Church leaders are still considering whether it would be most appropriate to renovate and expand existing structures on the Diocese of Atlanta property or pursue new construction for the Archives.
The Episcopal Church Archives house documents and artifacts detailing centuries' worth of Episcopal Church history. Currently, the Archives occupy a leased warehouse space in Austin, Texas. The move to a new permanent location is expected to provide a more suitable environment for the preservation and accessibility of these valuable historical resources.
The Executive Council resolution did not specify the estimated purchase price for the Diocese of Atlanta property nor the costs for redeveloping the site to house the Archives. Further details regarding the move and the redevelopment plans are expected to be announced in due course.
In addition to the decision regarding the Episcopal Church Archives, the Executive Council also voted to finalize the elevation of the church's Navajo Nation mission to the new Missionary Diocese of Navajoland. The council also elected two new Episcopal members to the Anglican Consultative Council: Puerto Rico Bishop Rafael Morales Maldonado and Diocese of New York lay leader Yvonne O'Neal.
The DeKoven Center acknowledged the importance of the Episcopal Church Archives securing a permanent home and offered congratulations on this milestone. Despite the disappointment over the decision, the center looks forward to serving as the financier and landlord for the new premises, ensuring the continued preservation and accessibility of the Episcopal Church's rich history.
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