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Latin American Archives: A survey of historical protestant sourcesby Mariel Deluca Voth

Library Director, Bethel Seminary San Diego

Abstract

The author provides a brief historical overview of Protestant Christianity in Latin America from 1492-1983 to place documentation and archival activity within that historical context. Two working lists of Protestant denominational archives found in and outside Latin America are also included in the paper. The efforts, work and creativity of theological librarians and archivist from Argentina, Uruguay and Costa Rica is especially recognized because of their preservation efforts in the midst of not always favorable circumstances. Professional theological librarians, archivists and denominational leaders are encouraged to cooperate and integrate their tasks so current and future generations can appreciate and never forget the work of godly people within the Latin American context.

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I. Introduction

Rubem Alves states that

A historian is someone that recuperates lost memories and distributes them as if they were a sacrament to those that have lost their memory. Is there a better communal sacrament than the memories of a common past marked by pain, sacrifice and hope? Gather to distribute! He is not only an archaeologist of memories but also a sower of visions and hopes. Can a historian be objective and lack passion? Doesn’t he research and search as someone looking for the letters of a lost love, a letter that would make the lover happy forever, or as someone looking for a forgotten will, a will that would make the one poor rich?

I must confess that there were moments while preparing my presentation when I felt and

behaved like the four figures mentioned. The archaeologist in me said: Do not give up,

keep on digging. The lover in me cherished the findings, but I also felt very poor because

I was not finding nor had all the information desired! I will now distribute what I

gathered, but I will do it by providing a brief historical overview of Protestant

Christianity in Latin America to place documentation and archives in its context.

Church historians of the Latin American Protestant Church, such as Bastian and

Rooy, refer to three periods associated to specific political and economic worldwide

trends. I would like to use the word moments to refer to these particular historical

periods, and how the present moment has been so shaped by the previous ones.

Mondragón clearly states that Protestant ideas came to Latin America long before

professional missionaries arrived to the continent. According to Dr. Rooy, Protestantism

in Latin America grew when Europeans responded to religious, commercial, theological,

ecclesiological, sociological and apocalyptical factors. Therefore, we can safely affirm

that Protestantism in Latin America is the product of immigration and mission.

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II. Historical Moments of the Latin American Protestant Church

A. First Moment - Protestant Colonial Period 1492-1808

Justo González writes that even though there were policies to prevent Protestants

from coming into their colonies, the first major incursion of Protestantism into South

America took place under the umbrella of Spanish authority (this is the case of German

Lutherans that arrived in Venezuela in 1529). But it is in Brazil where the first French

Protestant colony is founded in 1555 and where the first Confession of the Christian Faith

that included 17 articles was written in 1555. It is interesting to note that this took place

two years before the Pilgrims came to Plymouth in the United States in 1620.

It should also be considered that since 1625 the Caribbean became a strategic

place for Spain, England, Holland and France. Plurality of languages and of religion was

present in this area: There were Catholic communities together with Anglican, Methodist,

Presbyterians and Baptist churches and Reformed and Moravian churches entered the

Dutch Caribbean.

Protestant Colonial Period 1492-1808:

Protestantism and Inquisition (1492-1655)-1529 German Lutherans settlers arrive in Venezuela -1555-1654 Hugonote colony in Isla Villegaigon (island across present Rio de Janeiro)-1623-35 Anglicans entered the Caribbean western islands-1630-1654 Reformed Church congregations are formed in the Dutch colony of Pernambuco-1655 Anglican Church enters Jamaica

Protestantism and Enlightenment (1655-1808)-1667 Reformed Church enters Surinam-1701 Creation of the Anglican missionary society-1735 Moravian missionaries in Dutch Guyana and Surinam-1783 Baptist missionaries enter Jamaica-1797 Anglicans enter Trinidad

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B. Second Moment: Protestant Societies and Liberal Modernity (1808-1959)

This is the moment of freedom and independence. During the first three decades

of the 19th century independence revolutions took place throughout Latin America; and

new nations emerged as they broke away from the Spanish domination. This period can

be divided in four major sections: 1808-1850, 1850-1880, 1880-1916 and 1916-1959.

The following chronological charts will include the dates when Protestant immigrants or

missions entered the various Latin American countries.

1. Protestantism and the clash between liberals and conservatives (1808-1850):

2. Protestantism and the achievement of liberal rights (1850-1880):

Samuel Escobar writes that “pioneers of the Protestant movement came during the period of the war of independence from Spain (1810-1824)”

-1806 British Foreign Bible Society sends David Creighton to Uruguay-1818-1821 James (Diego) Thomson, Scottish Baptist Pastor and British

Foreign Bible Society representative, lands in Buenos Aires and begins Protestant worship services. His missionary activity took him throughout Latin America including the Caribbean.

-1822 Baptists enter Belize-1824 Lutheran German settle in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil-1824 Anglican Church begins in Chile (L. Matthews)-1824 Methodists enter Belize-1825 Anglican Church begins activities in Buenos Aires (J. Armstrong)-1825 Presbyterian Church begins activities in Argentina-1834 Lutheran Church is organized in Argentina-1836 Methodist Church arrives to Argentina and Uruguay with J.Dempster. -1842 German Evangelical Congregation begins in Buenos Aires

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-1853 Separation of Church and State and first proclamation of freedom of religion in Colombia

-1856 Waldensian group enters Uruguay-1857-1917 Protestant beginnings in Mexico (Baptists in 1864, Friends in 1871,

Congregationalist in 1872, Presbyterian in 1872, Methodist in 1873, Brethren 1891, Seven Day Adventist in 1891, Nazarene 1903)

-1859 Waldensian Church enters Argentina-1859 Methodist Church enters Peru-1864 American Bible Society appoint Andrew M Milne to work in Latin America-1872 Presbyterian Church begins in Chile with D. Trumbull-1873 First British YMCA in Buenos Aires-1874 Anglicans enter Puerto Rico-1877 Methodist Church begins in Chile with bishop W. Taylor

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3. Protestant societies and their opposition to the liberal oligarchy (1880-1916):

-1882 Plymouth Brethren begin their work in Argentina-1883 Methodists enter Cuba-1886 Organization of the Rio Grande do Sul Lutheran Synod-1886 Methodist Church enters Paraguay-1890 Salvation Army enters Argentina-1890 Seventh Adventist enters Argentina-1891 Salvation Army enters Montevideo, Uruguay-1891 Seventh Adventist enters Honduras-1893 German Lutheran Church starts in Asunción, Paraguay-1893 Seventh Adventist enters Mexico-1895 Creation of the South American Diocese of the Church of England-1895 Christian and Missionary Alliance begins ministry in Venezuela-1895 Seventh Adventist enters Chile, Uruguay-1897 Christian and Missionary Alliance begins ministry in Argentina,

Chile and Ecuador1895-1914 Salvation Army, Church of God, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Church of the Nazarene and Pilgrim Holiness Church

begin ministry in Latin America-1898 Seventh-Day Adventist enters Peru-1901-1915 Seventh-Day Adventist enters Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Cuba,

Ecuador, Bolivia, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Venezuela and El Salvador

-1910 Creation of the Pentecostal Methodist Church in Chile-1910 Creation of the Congreagacao Crista do Brasil in Sao Paulo.-1913 Creation of the Comité de Cooperación para América Latina

(CCLA) Samuel Guy Inman, executive secretary.-1914 First Pentecostal Apostolic Faith en Christ Jesus in Mexico

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4. The missionary project (1916-1959):

C. Third Moment: Transition crisis (1959-1983):

Protestantism is by now well established due to the presence of the missionary

societies: there is rural and urban presence throughout Latin America. The dominant

a. Territorial organization and the birth of a Latin-American protestant awareness-thought (1916-1929)-1916 First Latin American Evangelical Congress in Panamá-1917 Creation of United Evangelical Seminaries in Mexico City and Buenos Aires-1919 Mennonite Church enters Argentina-1920 Disciples Church and Pilgrams Church enter Mexico-1920 La Nueva Democracia, evangelical journal of the CCLA-1921 Creation of the Latin-American Mission by Harry Strachan in Costa Rica (later

called Latin America Evangelization Crusade).-1921 Assemblies of God enters Mexico-1922 Mennonite Church enters Mexico-1923 Latin American Mission (LAM) founded the Costa Rican Bible Institute-1925 Second Latin American Evangelical Congress in Montevideo, Uruguay (Erasmo

Brago presides)-1925 Christian and Missionary Alliance begins ministry in Peru-1929 Third Latin American Evangelical Congress in La Habana (Gonzalo Báez-

Camargo presides)

b. Social gospel (1929-1949)-1935 Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) begins its activities in Mexico-1937 LAM enters Colombia-1938 World Missionary Congress in Tambar am, India-1940 New Tribes Mission begins in Brazil-1941 Creation of the Unión Latinoamericana de Juventudes Evangélicas-1941 Costa Rican Bible Institute becomes Latin American Biblical Seminary-1948 Creation of the World Council of Churches-1949 First Latin American Evangelical Conference in Buenos Aires

c. Crisis of the liberal and anticommunist missionary project (1949-1959)-1951 Baptist General Conference enters Mexico-1953 Brazil for Christ, Pentecostal Church founded by Manuel de Melo-1954 Beginning of the Movimiento Estudiantil Cristiano en América Latina-1955 Baptist General Conference enters Brazil-1957 Baptist General Conference enters Argentina

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church is the Catholic Church and Protestants continue to act as a minority. Some

churches begin to follow the North American model of professional pastors and new

denominational groups begin to emerge.

1. Capitalism and crisis: 1959-1973

2. Resistance and submission: 1973-1983

III. Location of primary sources of Protestant Christianity in Latin America

At this point, it will be important to recognize the efforts of Latin American

theological seminary librarians and archivists that had the vision of collecting documents

from different denominations present in Latin America. Librarians from ISEDET

(Argentina), Seminario Internacional Teológico Bautista (Argentina) and Universidad

Bíblica Latinoamericana (Costa Rica) are microfilming, classifying, but most of all,

preserving documents that otherwise would be lost. The work of the Waldensians and

Methodists in Uruguay in the gathering and dissemination of documentation must also be

acknowledged. I will now include, as an example, a list of microfilmed materials found at

ISEDET.

-1961 Creation of ISAL (Junta Latinoamericana de Iglesia y Sociedad en América Latina)

-1962 Creation of the Comisión Evangélica latinoamericana de Educación Cristiana, el Movimiento Pro Unidad Evangélica y la Cruzada Estudiantil para Cristo

-1963 Journal Cristianismo y Sociedad published by ISAL-1969 Third Latin American Evangelical Conference in Buenos Aires-1969 First Latin American Conference on Evangelism in Bogotá. (CLADE I)-1970 Founding of the Fraternidad Teológica Latinoamericana (FTL)

-1978 Evangelical Assembly of Oaxtepec, Mexico to decide on the organization of the Latin American Council of Churches-1979 Second Latin American Conference on Evangelism in Lima (CLADE II)-1982 First Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Huampaní, Peru

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Archivo Histórico del Instituto Universitario ISEDET-

El Sendero del Creyente (Iglesia de los Hermanos Libres) 1910 – 1954 El Sendero del Creyente (Iglesia de los Hermanos Libres) 1955 – 1985 Antología de Publicaciones Periódicas – 1 – Teoría General Antología de Publicaciones Periódicas – 2 – Asia Antología de Publicaciones Periódicas – 4 – América Latina (1) Antología de Publicaciones Periódicas – 4 – América Latina (2) Antología de Publicaciones Periódicas – 5 – África (1) Antología de Publicaciones Periódicas – 5 – África (2) Antología de Publicaciones Periódicas – 6 – Oceanía El Estandarte Evangélico de Sud América (Iglesia Metodista) 1892 – 1912 El Estandarte Evangélico de Sud América (Iglesia Metodista) 1913 – 1930 La Voz Menonita (Iglesia Menonita) 1932 – 1938 El Evangelista (Iglesia Metodista, publicado por Thomas B. Wood) 1877 – 1886 Evangelisches Gemeindeblatt (Iglesia Evangélica del Río de la Plata) 1895 – 1918 Evangelisches Gemeindeblatt (Iglesia Evangélica del Río de la Plata) 1918 – 1930 Die Russlanddeutsche Ecke 1925 – 1929; y Der Russlanddeutsche/El Ruso-Alemán 1929 – 1938 Der Landbote – Mensajero de Campaña 1946 – 1956 Der Landbote – Mensajero de Campaña 1956 – 1966 Der Landbote – Mensajero de Campaña 1967 – 1972 Renacimiento Iglesia Valdense 1934, 1936 – 1973 La Unión Valdense 1903 – 1919 Mensajero Valdense 1919 – 1931

ARCHIVO VALDENSE: o Libro de Actas 1891 – 1948 o Libro de Actas de la Comisión Ejecutiva 1905 – 1956 o Copiador de cartas 1887 – 1926 o Actas en Francés 1880 – 1891 o Correspondencia Rosario Central 1862 – 1883 o Deliberaciones Rosario Central 1862 – 1880o Correspondencia 1882 – 1884 o La République Argentine (Charles Bek-Bernard) Marzo 1946 o Daniel Armand Ugon, Sermones, Estudios Bíblicos y Material Litúrgico 1873 – 1898 o Daniel Armand Ugon (1890-1920) 950749 – 951507 o Benjamín A. Pons, Copiadores de Libros de cuentas 1857 – 1912 o Pedro Bounous, Correspondencia recibida 1882 – 1946 o Daniel Armand Ugon Correspondencia 1877 – 1892 o Correspondencia y recibos 1878 – 1887 o Correspondencia recibida 1887 – 1901 o Semanario de las Colonias 1917 – 1919 o Libro de Actas de la Comisión Ejecutiva 1956 – 1977 o Libro de Actas de las Conferencias de Distrito 1954 – 1966 o Libro de Actas de Sínodos 1956 – 1977 o Libro de Actas, Colonia Cosmopolita y anexos 1883 – 1902 o Janavel Giovanni Stefano o Cuaderno autógrafo de Blanca Pons, Radio 1963o Sermones P. Bounous o Carta circular caminando, campo misionero (IPRU) o Sermones P. Jauna Tron o Notas recibidas 1899 – 1941 o Notas enviadas 1909 – 1939 o Correspondencia enviada a Italia 1910 – 1967

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o Copiadores valdenses 1885 – 1922 o Telegramas de fallecimiento del Pastor Ugon (IEVRP) o Relato del Dr. Santaret (IEVRP)1869 o Actas de Conferencias Valdenses 1893 – 1919 o Vida de Daniel Ugon

IGLESIA EVANGÉLICA LUTERANA UNIDA: o Diario del Reverendo S. S. Daugherty (IELU) 1890 – 1922 o Actas del Consejo, Congregación el Redentor (IELU) 1922 – 1938 o Registro de Actos parroquiales, Congregación el Redentor (IELU) o Luz y Verdad (IELU) 1921 – 1932

MICROFICHAS VARIAS: o Religion Index one: Periodicals Vol 1-6 (JA/ 81-JE/82) Vol 1-7 (JA/ 81-SE/82) o Survey of Current, Literature on the Christian Mission and Christianity in the Non-

Western World N°1 - 1981 o Revista Cultura (Iglesia Metodista) N°1-24 Abril 1928- Abril 1930 o The Sixteenth Century Journal Vol. XIX - 1988 - Vol. XXV - 1994

IGLESIA DINAMARQUESA: o Comisión Directiva 1926/1975o Actas Pastorales 1927/1986o 75 años

IGLESIA ANGLICANA CATEDRAL: o Correspondencia 1857 – 1863 o Centenario 1825 – 1925 o Minute Books Vol II  1923 British Ministerial Unit. Actas 1928 o Escuela Episcopal 1838 – 1843 o Actas de comité de la Iglesia a partir de 1824 o Actas  14-8-1928 – 09-11-1938 o Foto de la Catedral antes de la reforma del altar o Registro de fallecimientos 1821 – 1971 o Fallecimientos Saladillo Recoleta - Chascomús o Fallecimientos Fiebre Amarilla 1871 o Bautismos 7-1825 – 9-1945 o Casamientos  6-1851 – 9-1922

IGLESIA EVANGÉLICA DEL RÍO DE LA PLATA, ROSARIO: o Registro de Bautismos  28-01-1900 / 12-01-1997 o Registro de Confirmaciones 23-09-1900 / 03-12-2000 o Registro de Casamientos 07-04-1900 / 15-03-2002 o Registro de Fallecimientos 04-02-1900 / 16-04-2002 o Actas congregación  21-11-1927 / 18-03-1937

IGLESIA EVANGÉLICA DEL RÍO DE LA PLATA (CONGREGACIÓN EVANGÉLICA ALEMANA)/Io Reg. de Bautismos 1843/1892o Reg. de Confirmaciones 1844/1916o Reg. de Casamientos 1844/1912o Reg. de Fallecimientos 1843/1881o Reg. de Oficios Fúnebres 1882/1899

IGLESIA EVANGÉLICA DEL RÍO DE LA PLATA (CONGREGACIÓN EVANGÉLICA ALEMANA)/II

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o Reg. de Casamientos 1913/1927o Reg. de Bautismos 1893/1934

IGLESIA EVANGÉLICA DEL RÍO DE LA PLATA (CONGREGACIÓN EVANGÉLICA ALEMANA)/III

o Reg. de Bautismos 1952/1972

IGLESIA EVANGÉLICA DEL RÍO DE LA PLATA (CONGREGACIÓN EVANGÉLICA ALEMANA)/IV

o Reg. de Casamientos 1957/2002

IGLESIA EVANGÉLICA DEL RÍO DE LA PLATA (CONGREGACIÓN EVANGÉLICA ALEMANA)/V

o Reg. de Casamientos 1928/1957o Reg. de Bautismos 1934/2003

IGLESIA EVANGÉLICA DEL RÍO DE LA PLATA (CONGREGACIÓN EVANGÉLICA DE ESPERANZA) /CD-I

o Reg. de Bendiciones Nupciales 1857/1890

IGLESIA EVANGÉLICA DEL RÍO DE LA PLATA (CONGREGACIÓN EVANGÉLICA DE ESPERANZA) /CD-II

o Reg. de Bendiciones Nupciales 1890/1925

IGLESIA EVANGÉLICA DEL RÍO DE LA PLATA (CONGREGACIÓN EVANGÉLICA DE ESPERANZA) /CD-III

o Reg. de Bautismos 1890/1903

IGLESIA EVANGÉLICA DEL RÍO DE LA PLATA (CONGREGACIÓN EVANGÉLICA DE ESPERANZA) /CD-IV

o Reg. de Bautismos 1903/1922

ARCHIVO IGLESIAS REFORMADAS EN ARGENTINA (I)o Periódico Eclesial para Sudamérica o 1928 (nº 13-22)o 1929 (nº 23-29)o 1930 (nº 36-46)o 1931 (nº47)o 1932 (nº 62-65)o 1933 (nº 69-78)o 1934 (nº 79-89)o 1935 (nº 90-100)o 1936 (nº 101-111)o 1937 (nº 112-122)o 1938 (nº 123-132)o 1939 (nº 133-135)o 1940 (nº 1-10)o Kerkblad Voor Zuid/Amerikao 1927 (nº 1-11)o 1928 (nº 12)o La Palabra Fielo 1933 (nº 1-6)o 1934 (nº 7-17)

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ARCHIVO IGLESIAS REFORMADAS EN ARGENTINA (II)o Gereformeerde Kerk te Buenos Aires: o Libros de Actas 1901/1966o Reg. de Bautismos 1959o Reg. de Nacimientos 1959/1966o Juventud Calvinista 1941/1963o Kerkinformatie 1999o Rotulen van de Vergadering der Classis Bs. As. 1958o Acta de las Iglesias Reformadas Argentinas 5-6/04/1960o Acta de la Classis Buenos Aires 13-14-15/03/1961o Acta de la Classis Tres Arroyos 20-21/03/1962o Actas Sinodales 1963/1990

IGLESIA METODISTA (ROSARIO)o Reg. de Bautismos y Casamientos (2da. Iglesia Met. Episc.) 1898/1933o Reg. de Bautismos y matrimonios 1918/1979o Reg. de pastores, miembros, clases (Gral. Iglesia Met. Ep. Rosario) 1890/1953o Reg. de Bautismos (Circuito de Rosario) 1895/1910

IGLESIA METODISTA (PRIMERA ROSARIO)o Minute Book 1929/1957o Book 1865/1889o Church Record Libro C 1917o Escuela Episcopal 1838/1843o Book B 1889o Secretary’s report 1894/1902o Matrícula de miembros 1885/1907o Reg. de Bautismos 1885/1967o Reg. de Casamientos 1896/1966o Minute – Correspondiente a cartas 1910/1915o Minute letters 1906/1909

DOCUMENTOS PUEBLA (Iglesia Católica Romana) 1978/1979

The following two charts, included in the next page, are working lists of some of

the archives of missionary and denominational activity that I was able to locate in and

outside Latin America. Address, denomination, scope and web address is provided when

the information was found:

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Archives found in Latin America (a working list)

Denomination Country Scope Address

Waldensians Uruguay Church minutes and faith issues

Avenida Armand Ugon Colonia Valdense Colonia Uruguay

Presbyterian Argentina Documents from 1826-1950

Perú 352CABA Argentina

Methodist Argentina http://www.iglesiametodista.org.ar/historia/catalogo.htm

Methodist Peru Archivo Histórico de la Iglesia Metodista del Perú. Jr. Recuay 152 Breña - Lima 5 Perúhttp://www.iglesiametodista.org.pe

Mennonite Argentina Archivo Oficial de la IEMAMercedes 1491407 CABA Argentina

Mennonite Paraguay Instituto Bíblico AsunciónIsabel La Catolica 2135 - SajoniaAsuncion – Paraguay

Southern Baptists

Argentina Seminario Internacional Teológico BautistaRamón Falcón 4080CABA Argentina

Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican, Waldensian, Disciples of Christ, Argentine Reformed Church,

ArgentinaParaguayUruguay

Journals, Minutes, Birth and Death Certificates, internal documents

Archivo HistóricoInstituto Universitario ISEDETCamacuá 282 CABA Argentinawww.isedet.edu.ar

For other Argentine Anglican documents contact:diocesianglibue@fibertel.com.ar

Latin American Mission

Costa Rica

Documents from 1950-70.  Material in microfilm from 1930 -1940. LAM documentation

Universidad Bíblica Latinoamericana Biblioteca Enrique StrachanSan José, Cedros de Montes de Oca, del Perimercado, 350 Este.

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related to the seminary’s history

Archives found outside Latin America (a working list)

Archives Scope LocationMethodist Episcopal Church

United Methodist Church General Commission on Archives and History, Madison, NJhttp://www.gcah.org

Presbyterian Church U.S.A/ United Presbyterian Church of North America

Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadelphia, PAhttp://www.history.pcusa.org

Christian and Missionary Alliance

C&MA National Archives, Colorado Springs, CO http://www.cmalliance.org/whoweare/archives/ services.jsp

Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives

“The Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives is a worldwide center for the study of Baptist history. It serves by assignment of the Southern Baptist Convention as the central depository and archives of SBC records.”

http://www.sbhla.org/

Seventh-Day Adventist Church

General Conference - Office of Archives & Statistics, Silver Spring, MD http://www.adventistarchives.org/DocArchives.asp

Baptist General Conference

“It houses documents significant to Swedish Baptist institutional, cultural and immigration history, the Baptist General Conference, and Bethel University. It includes: Swedish BGC Minutes (1856-1934), Annual Reports, publications, district records, home and foreign mission records, biographical files on over 2,300 pastors and

http://www.bethel.edu/bgcarchives/index.html

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laypersons.”Latin American Mission

“Records of the mission, including correspondence, minutes, reports, memos, financial reports, policy statements, planning documents, promotional material, photographs, etc., related to the origins, activity (primarily in Colombia and Costa Rica) and restructuring of the mission.”

http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/GUIDES/236.htm

American Baptist

American Baptist Archives Center, Valley Forge, PA http://www.abc-usa.org/abhs/

Missouri Synod Lutheran

Concordia Historical Institute, St. Louis MOhttp://chi.lcms.org/collections/ Finding aids available online

British Bible Society

1804-2001 Records not complete, the most serious loss being that of the original incoming letters from 1857 to 1900 inclusive

http://janus.lib.cam.ac.uk/ 1804–2001

Multiple missionary agencies

18th to mid 20th century missionaries from the United Kingdom

http://www.mundus.ac.uk

IV. Conclusion

The task of finding documentation for Protestant activity from 1492 to 1983 can

be perceived either as an impossible task or as an enormous but tremendously satisfying

one! The words of Alves can once again resonate in the researcher’s ears: I can be an

“archaeologist of memories and a sower of visions and hopes.” One can then ask:

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What is the future of documentation of Latin American Protestant Christianity? There is

strength in the variety of denominations, in the human resources and in the creativity

found within a Latin American context. Not having a history of “historical

consciousness” or a full understanding of the meaning of cooperation can be perceived as

weaknesses or as opportunities for growth! Lack of financial resources and/or lack of

preservation and restoration skills are some of the current real threats for the

reconstruction of Latin American Protestant Christian history. The opportunities are

endless, but I believe this is the right moment to act not only because of technological

advances but because of the quality and interest shown by key library directors and

archivists throughout Latin America. Cooperation and integration will be needed at every

stage for the preservation of documentation, but most importantly for undertanding,

appreciating and never forgetting the work of godly people within the Latin American

context.

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Bibliography

Alves, Rubem Alves, “Las ideas teológicas y sus caminos por los surcos institucionales del protestantismo brasileño”, en Pablo Richard (editor), Historia de la teología en América Latina, San José, CEHILA-DEI, 1981, pp. 363-364.

 Bastian, Jean-Pierre. Historia del protestantismo en America Latina. Mexico, Casa

Unidad de Publicaciones, 1990.

Bastian, Jean Pierre. La mutación religiosa de América Latina: para una sociología del cambio social en la modernidad periférica. México, Fondo de Cultura Económica, 1997.

Bridges, Julián C. Expansión evangélica en México. Mexico, Mundo Hispano, 1973.

Cook, Guillermo, ed. New face of the church in Latin America: Between tradition and change. Maryknoll, Orbis Books, 1994.

Dussel, Enrique y otros. Historia general de la iglesia en America Latina. Salamanca, Sígueme. CEHILA, 1994. t. IX (Cono Sur).

González, Ondina E. & Justo L. González. Christianity in Latin America: A history. New York, Cambridge University Press, 2008.

Holmgren, Carl A. History of the missionary activity of the Baptist General Conference of America. 1959.

Lundberg, Magnus. "Roman Catholic archives in Latin America: status quæstionis." Svensk missionstidskrift 95, no. 1 (2007): 71-83. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed August 12, 2008).

Míguez Bonino, José. Rostros del protestantismo latinoamericano. Nueva Creación, Buenos Aires, 1995.

Míguez Bonino, José et al. Unidad y diversidad del protestantismo latinoamericano. Buenos Aires, Kairós, 2002.

Mondagrón, Carlos. Protestantes y protestantismo en América Latina: Reflexiones en torno a la variedad de experiencias en su introducción. Espacio de diálogo, número 2, abril del 2005. www.cenpromex.org.mx/revista_ftl

Monti, Daniel P. Presencia del protestantismo en el Río de la Plata durante el siglo XIX. Buenos Aires, La Aurora, 1969.

Piedra, Arturo et al. ¿Hacia dónde va el protestantismo?: Herencia y prospectivas en América Latina. Buenos Aires, Kairós, 2003.

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Quiroga, Marta et al. A los 75 años de vida (1919-1994): Iglesia Evangélica Menonita Argentina. Buenos Aires, Comisión de publicaciones menonitas, 1994.

Seiler, Claudia. “Las primeras iglesias evangélicas.” Encuentro de archivos religiosos, 28-31 de agosto de 2006. Santa Fé de la Vera Cruz, Argentina. http://www.mundoarchivistico.com.ar/Index.php?menu=articulos&accion=ver&d

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Vázquez Bevilacqua, Mauricio. Proceso de organización documental en un archivo eclesiástico protestante. VII Congreso de archivología del MERCOSUR, 21-24 de Noviembre de 2007, Villa del Mar, Chile.