Allin, (Most Rev.) John Maury. Papers

Identity elements

Reference number

PP-00-R0322

Level of description

Fonds

Title

Allin, (Most Rev.) John Maury. Papers

Date(s)

  • 1868-2003 (bulk 1931-1998) (Creation)

Extent

42 cu.ft. (110 boxes); 936 GB (1,640 digitized files)

Name of creator

(1921-1998)

Abstract

John Maury Allin was elected 23rd Presiding Bishop by the House of Bishops at the 64th General Convention in Louisville, Kentucky in 1973 and was installed on June 11, 1974. His tenure commenced at a time of considerable turbulence and change in The Episcopal Church. He succeeded Presiding Bishop John Hines, who had inaugurated a controversial, progressive agenda of advocacy for civil rights and poverty alleviation in the African-American community. Bishop Allin inherited the challenges that dramatic social change presented to the institutional Church’s structures and polity. His tenure was marked by agitation for women’s rights, opposition to the Vietnam War, liturgical reform, understandings of sexuality and marriage, expectations of ordained life, and enhanced role of the ministry of the laity. Allin retired as Presiding Bishop in 1985 and on March 6, 1998 he died of complications from a stroke and a diagnosis of lung cancer.

Content and structure elements

Scope and content

The Allin Papers rank as the most comprehensive archive of personal papers of any primate in The Episcopal Church. The archive documents each of the venues in which Allin practiced his ordained ministry and, equally importantly, closely reflects the relationships he developed in his vocational life.

The archive concentrates on Allin’s 1974-1985 term as Presiding Bishop but provides substantial evidence of his service to the Church in ordained ministry, as well as personal pursuits after his retirement. The collection includes sermons, correspondence, photographs, and audio and video recordings. Allin’s life prior to his election as Presiding Bishop is documented by personal calendars, correspondence, and photographs.

Arrangement

Biographical and Family Records, 1896, 1929, 1933-2003
College and Seminary Coursework, 1942-1945
Ordained Ministry, 1946-1997
Boards and Church Governance, 1967-1997
Correspondence, 1940-1998
Sermons, Homilies, and Addresses, 1944-1958, 1967-1996
Datebooks and Calendars, 1946-1995
Photographic and Visual Records, 1919, c.1950s-c.1997
Collected Audio and Video Recordings, 1964-1998
Other Collected Materials, 1868, 1887, 1891, 1952-1998

Conditions of access and use elements

Access conditions

Access to Episcopal Church records is governed by the Archives Public Access Policy. Research requests must be submitted in writing.

Technical access

Rights and permissions

The Archives is able to respond to limited requests for reproductions subject to copyright restrictions, internal policy, and the condition of the source documents.

Languages of the material

  • English

Scripts of the material

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Descriptive inventories

Acquisition and appraisal elements

Accruals

Related materials elements

Related records and archives

Presiding Bishop Correspondence, 1957-1978

Notes element

Description control element

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