05505
Sept. 23, 2005

PHS facility at Montreat to be closed

Columbia Seminary is asked to create
campus center for study of Presbyterian history

by Jerry L. Van Marter

SACRAMENTO, CA — The Presbyterian Historical Society (PHS) will close its facility at the Montreat Conference Center in North Carolina on Dec. 31, 2006.

     The Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA) voted on Thursday to close the Montreat office and suggested moving archival resources now housed there to a proposed new center for the Study of Presbyterian and Reformed History and Theology at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA.

     As part of its strategic planning for the PHS, COGA asked seminary officials to establish the program and provide on-campus space for it.

     A proposal to create such a study center at Montreat was scrapped after a feasibility study concluded that there was not sufficient financial support for it.

     Because of concerns about funding, duplication of work and the need to coordinate a historical program for the whole church, COGA also declined a proposal from Friends of the Historical Foundation at Montreat Inc., for a center based at Montreat.

     Rick Ufford-Chase, moderator of the General Assembly, said: “COGA has been wrestling with these difficult decisions for five years. Even as we make what we judge to be the best decision possible, we mourn the loss of this important legacy at Montreat.”

     The PHS headquarters is in Philadelphia.

     COGA asked for a review of all materials housed in Montreat so that it could decide which would be moved to Philadelphia and which would go to the Columbia center — if it were established. Some items might be kept for display at Montreat. Materials not owned by the PHS would be returned to the owners or relocated in keeping with their wishes.

     Establishing the study center at Columbia would demonstrate “COGA’s commitment to both helping to make the church’s archival history come alive for Presbyterians, and insuring a strong and effective historical society for the 21st century,” said COGA Moderator Steve Grace.

     In related actions, COGA created a plan to help current PHS staff at Montreat as they transfer or end their employment with the historical society, and a procedure to ensure compliance with donor intent regarding endowment and restricted funds designated for the PHS facility at Montreat.

     The Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the General Assembly, said: “I know this will be difficult for many who dearly love Montreat, but I do believe the arrangements we are making will better serve the goals of preserving and sharing the heritage of this church, and will do it in a way that is fiscally responsible.”