Church Historian's Checklist:

The following checklist may help you as you prepare to write your church history. Additional checklists can be found in the Historians Toolkit, a folder of checklists, hints and other materials available from the PCA Historical Center.

• Church Historian appointed by Session

• Church history data gathered

• Statistical section written

• Narrative section written

• Photographs mounted and labeled

• History typed or printed on acid-free paper .

• History approved by Session and signed by the Clerk of Session

• Copies made of history

• Original copy of church history mailed to the PCA Historical Center

Other items to submit to the Historical Center:

• Bulletins and newsletters.

• Congregational Minutes and Reports

• Special Events Bulletins

• Additional items to consider submitting.

• Architectural blueprints, particularly if the building is substantial or architecturally significant

• Photographs of former pastors.

• Sample sermons of former pastors. These should be typed or printed, rather than audio format.

• Correspondence files and other papers of the pastor.

• Books and other published materials authored by your pastor or a member of the congregation.

• Oral history interviews with older members of the congregation. These should preferably be transcribed and printed from the audio tape original format. The PCA Historical Center has a brochure with guidelines for conducting oral history interviews.

• A copy of the church's baptismal record for the year, as well as a record of new members received and members deceased..

Your gathered church history materials should be sent to:

PCA Historical Center
478 Covenant Lane
St. Louis, MO 63141

Questions may also be directed to the staff at the above address
or by phone at (314) 469-9077
or by email at archivist@pcanet.org