Provincial Court of Review for Province II in the Matter of the Diocese of Newark v. The Reverend George Gaines Swanson. Records

GC-05-R0234

The Archives of the Episcopal Church

Fonds

Provincial Court of Review for Province II in the Matter of the Diocese of Newark v. The Reverend George Gaines Swanson. Records

• 1989-1990 (Creation)

1 cu. ft. (3 boxes)

This collection stems from a controversy over the fire insurance proceeds paid by the Church Insurance Company after a fire at the Church of the Ascension in Jersey City, New Jersey. The situation between Father George Swanson, Rector, and the Diocese of Newark and Bishop John S. Spong erupted into a rancorous dispute resulting in the ecclesiastical court finding Father Swanson guilty on three charges. After an appeal by Father Swanson, all the charges against him were dropped.

This collection consists of trial records related to The Diocese of Newark vs George Gaines Swanson, as appealed to the Court of Review of Province II in 1989-1990. The official record on appeal is bound in four volumes, with a table of contents in the first volume. Records in these volumes include the original presentment, related correspondence, motions and court orders, transcripts of court proceedings, exhibits, and the notice of appeal. Notable among the exhibits are correspondence between Swanson and John Shelby Spong, and a transcript of Swanson's version of events leading up to the appeal. Records of the appeal proceedings are unbound and include the Appellant's Brief on Appeal, the Appellant's Reply Brief, the Decision of the Court of Review and a transcript of telephone conversations between Swanson and Denise Haines, the Archdeacon of Urban Ministry for the Diocese of Newark.

Four bound volumes of trial records dated 1989 are followed by unbound appeal proceedings dating from 1990.

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

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

• English

• Ecclesiastical courts
• Ecclesiastical trial court and Court of Review
• Episcopal Church–Discipline
• Trials

• Newark, New Jersey

• Swanson, George Gaines (Subject)
• Spong, John Shelby (Subject)