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ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF CALGARY ARCHIVES
The Reverend John Pilling, Archivist
The Archives of the Diocese of Calgary are stored in the Special Collections of the University of Calgary. The information following has been based on the "Introduction" of the Catalogue of the Diocese of Calgary Archives compiled by Ms Donna Kynaston in 1992. The Diocesan Archivist is very dependent on the skills and knowledge of the Archivists in Special Collections: Ms Appollonia Steele and Ms Marlys Chevrefilf - as well as Mrs. Kelly Burnie at the Synod Office.
In 1992 the records consisted of approximately 63 metres of textual material, 800 photographs, and a small collection of maps, films, records and tapes. The records date from 1881 to the present. At the present time, these records have expanded by approximately 25%.
The records are divided into four sections: Parish Records from the various Diocesan Parishes, Synod Office Records, records from the Women's Auxiliary and the Anglican Church Women at the Diocesan level, and Special Media. The Synod Office Records are in ten series: Parish Files, Clergy Files, General Files, Bishop's Files, Diocesan Synod Publications, Diocesan Publications, Executive Committee Minutes, Deanery Records, Account Books and The Sower Files.
The records have been kept in their original order where it could be determined. The Parish Records sections describe dozens of fonds, listed alphabetically, and includes series and file lists, most of which are chronological. The Synod Office Records section describes a single fonds. Files are listed either alphabetically or chronologically within ten series. The Women's Auxiliary and Anglican Church Women records are simply listed at the file level. The special Media section is an artificial collection and has been described at the item level. As a result of the differing natures of these sections, the descriptive elements used in each vary.
These records are valuable for the study of the social, cultural and religious history of Southern Alberta in the past centuries. The establishment and development of the Anglican Church is documented.
Additions to these records are expected. The Synod Office and the existing Diocesan parishes will continue to generate records which will be sent to the Diocesan Archives. The Glenbow Archives in Calgary hold related records as well.
Access to the Diocesan Archives is by permission of the Diocesan Archivist at the Synod Office of the Diocese of Calgary.
Looking at issues of interest, three things come to mind: Firstly was the drawing together of materials for the Indian Residential Schools litigation. This absorbed the first full year of my time as Archivist and led to the compiling of 3,400 pieces of paper duplicated ten times for the lawyers of the plaintiffs and the defence. It was a steep learning curve.
Secondly, I am presently involved in discovering biographical information of all the clergy who had served (or are serving) in the Anglican Diocese of Calgary from 1887 until the present. While there are data in their files, most of it is in the form of letters from the Synod Office informing them of money owed to the Diocese.
Lastly, there are three city parishes which are closing in the near future. I need direction from other Archivists in dealing with furnishings, silver, linens, stained glass windows, and other items which come across an archivist's desk after a church building has been disestablished. What do I do specifically with all this material that I know will be coming my way? Help!
Location for contact - Synod Office
Suite 560, 1207 - 11th Ave. S.W.
Calgary, AB. T3C 0M5
Phone - 403-243-3673
Fax - 403-243-2182
E-mail - diocese@calgary.anglican.ca
Archivist - The Rev'd John Pilling
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