Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1856-1946 (Creation)
Extent
.4 cu.ft. (1 box)
Name of creator
Administrative history
The House of Bishops (HoB) was established in 1789, four years after the election of The Episcopal Church’s first Bishop, Samuel Seabury. All bishops of The Episcopal Church, active or retired, make up the House of Bishops, with the Presiding Bishop as president. With nearly 300 active members, the HoB comprises half of the Church’s governing body. Eligible members include all diocesan and assisting bishops elected or canonically appointed from the dioceses, area missions, and special jurisdictions of the United States and nineteen other countries, including a number of churches in Europe, Latin America, Taiwan, and Haiti.
Along with the House of Deputies (the other governing body of The Episcopal Church), the HoB meets every three years to adopt legislation. Between conventions, they meet twice a year in a non-legislative capacity and, acting in their pastoral and teaching mode, may explore issues of theological, social or mission concern.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
The House of Bishops Committee Records comprise Standing Committee and ad hoc Committee reports, records, and miscellaneous materials. Also included is a bound volume of the minutes of the Commission of Bishops on the Mexican Branch of the Catholic Church.
System of arrangement
Arranged chronologically
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
Access to Episcopal Church records is governed by the Archives Public Access Policy. Research requests must be submitted in writing.
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
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