8.5. Tri-Synod Archives

Report of the Tri-Synod Archives

The Tri-Synod Archives came into being in 1988 as a result of the merger that formed the ELCA and divided the former Western Pennsylvania Synod into three successor bodies. The present structure and manner of operation was approved in its present form in 1993, and so the Tri-Synod archives is now in its 33^rd year of existence.

During that time, the Archives Center has continued to grow and expand to attempt to meet the needs of the constituent Synods. For example, since its founding in the 1850’s the predecessor of the Tri-Synod Archives grew to include 392 items shortly after its centennial in 1962. In the next twenty-five years, between the formation of the ULCA and the formation of the ELCA in 1988, the archives collection grew nearly ten-fold to include over 3,000 documents.

Thirty-five years later, it is estimated that the amount of material has tripled to nearly 10,000 documents and other items, including bound volumes, artifacts, personal papers, journals, and other historical resources, including a brick from the original Passavant Hospital from Pittsburgh’s North Side location and four African hunting spears.

To date, more than 720 congregations have been identified as having some connection with one of the three constituent Synods or their predecessor bodies, including mission congregations in more than six states and two Canadian provinces. The Center now holds records from over 250 congregations.

Consider another way of looking at the collection: One way archivists measure the amount of material an archives contains is by the linear foot of documents and records. It is currently estimated that, if all the records of the Tri-Synod Archives were laid side by side, they would take up nearly three-quarters of a mile of shelf space!

Since its formation in 1993, the Archives Center has relocated three times and is now back in the Langenheim Memorial Library at Thiel College. Thiel continues to be a great supporter of the Archives Center as a sign of its partnership with the Church. The Library continues to provide telephone and data access and a small secure office space in addition to a new and much larger space for the entire collection.

In 2025 volunteers and board members stepped up to complete the shifting of materials from the former location in the basement of Passavant Center to the new area. While much work remains to be completed, the Tri-Synod Archives Board can point to a number of successes over the past year including:

• The complete digitization of the catalog of items from inception to 1988
• Acquisition of additional archival quality storage containers (MANY more are needed)
• Completion of the reshelving and reorganization of synodical and denominational materials dating from the middle-1700’s up through 2015
• Division of the bound volumes collection (non-congregational books) into a new area within the Center
• Identifying a separate collection of liturgical materials
• Establishing and curating a rare books collection with books dating from the late 1700’s and through the 1800’s and seeing that these books are properly stored and secured
• Consolidating and beginning to curate the collection of personal papers
• Thanks to a gift from Thiel, expanding the periodical collection. The Archives Center now holds a unique collection of newspapers and journals spanning over 175 years.
• The establishment of a new office space
• Adopting standards and practices which match those of ELCA Archives at Gettysburg and Philadelphia
• Modifying financial operating practices to be more effective in managing income and expenses.
  

Probably most significantly, in October 2025 the Tri-Synod Archives Board adopted the following Mission Statement:

The Mission of the Tri-Synod Archives is to serve as a repository for the retention, care, and preservation of documents and records, including books, liturgical materials, and miscellaneous periodicals, related to the ecclesiastical, legal, and historical presence of the Northwestern Pennsylvania, Southwestern Pennsylvania, and West Virginia – Western Maryland Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and their predecessor and successor bodies, including denominational and synodical bodies, congregations, related agencies and institutions, and prominent individuals; and to facilitate and assist relevant research by qualified researchers.

While much progress has been made this year, much more needs to be done. However there is renewed energy in the Board, and the leadership is stepping forward to address those needs and concerns. However, with the growth in the number of congregations being closed and their records being deposited in the Archives Center, combined with records from three Synods instead of one, the amount of material is quickly exceeding the ability of staff and volunteers to process, inventory, document, and properly store the large influx of material.

As a result, in April 2026, a 30 page report and proposal was presented to the Synod Councils laying out a plan for the future development of the Archives Center and asking for additional financial support.

The Board would like to thank former Archivist Sarah Roth for shepherding the Archives through the move from Passavant Center into the new space, the respective synodical bishops for their active support and input into the future of this constitutionally -mandated function of the synods, the volunteers who have given of their time to help complete the move, Thiel College for its continued support, and especially the staff of the Langenheim Library and Library Director Michelene Orteza, who continues to be a resource and a champion for the Archives Center and for the preservation of the history of the church in Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Respectfully submitted,
Rev Timothy A Spence
President, Tri-Synod Archives Board