Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana Archives

Introduction to the Collection

Since 1835, when Jackson Kemper first arrived in Indiana as Missionary Bishop of the Northwest, Episcopalians have been a part of Indiana's religious landscape. The denomination drew as members British and Canadian immigrants, parishioners who had been Episcopalians in the East, and newcomers to the faith, who were attracted by the liturgy of the Book of Common Prayer and the fact that the church was not overly judgmental in matters of doctrine. The denomination was never large in Indiana, but it has persisted and changed over time in ways that merit further historical study.

The archival records presented in this collection document the congregations in the northern third of Indiana that are part of the Diocese of Northern Indiana, established in 1898. Many parishes have much earlier histories dating from the 1830s and 1840s from the time that all of the state was part of the Diocese of Indiana. One will find a variety of photographs documenting the story of the Episcopal Church and how it adapted through time as it gained the support of a stalwart body of followers, many of whom were community leaders. The collection includes images of church buildings, inside and out, which reveal something of the "architecture of faith" that members used to express their religious heritage. There are pictures of clergy and laity, of events such as diocesan conventions, ecumenical services, ordinations and consecrations, and youth camps. This website attempts to place those images into larger historical contexts.

Except for those images with a copyright watermark, the majority of images are free to use for any educational or historical purpose so long as the user gives proper credit to the "Archives of the Diocese of Northern Indiana" as the source.

We hope you will enjoy these images, and if you are new to the church, will take time to explore the Anglican tradition in a faith community near you.