Established in 1951 on the campus of Messiah University, the Brethren in Christ Historical Library and Archives documents the religious, cultural, and social history of the Brethren in Christ Church, a global denomination founded in the United States, with roots in the Anabaptist, Pietist, and Wesleyan traditions of the Christian faith. (To learn more about the history and beliefs of the Brethren in Christ Church, click here.)
The Archives of Messiah University contains the official records of the University's governing boards, administrative and educational departments, and student organizations. (Learn more about the history of Messiah University or about its a covenant relationship with the Brethren in Christ Church.)
The Ernest L. Boyer Center Archives documents the life of Ernest L. Boyer Sr., an American educational pioneer and Messiah alumnus, his family, and his work.
The joint archives collects, preserves, and makes accessible primary resources and rare or unique materials related to the history and heritage of the University, its founding denomination, and its alumni. Its goal is to stimulate, enrich, and support research, teaching, and administration within the church, university, and beyond.
Today, the joint archives houses over one million documents, books, photographs, artifacts, audio and video recordings, and ephemera in multiple collections.
Our museum features a rotating display of materials from both the denominational and University collections.
You can learn more about our staff, the services we offer, and our researcher policies and procedures at the links on the left.