West, Edward Nason. Papers

PP-00-R0349

The Archives of the Episcopal Church

Fonds

West, Edward Nason. Papers

• 1890-1992 (bulk 1930-1990) (Creation)

21 cu.ft. (56 boxes)

Canon Edward N. West served The Episcopal Church for nearly five decades, primarily at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York, where he was Canon Residentiary, Sub-Dean, and Master of Ceremonies. An authority on church architecture, heraldry, and religious symbolism, he chaired the New York Diocesan Commission on Church Building and advised on numerous church renovations, vestments, and ceremonial designs. West’s most famous creation, the Compass Rose (1954), became the official emblem of the Anglican Communion. A scholar of liturgy and religious art, he lectured at the General Theological Seminary, consulted for the General Convention’s Standing Liturgical Commission, and published extensively on worship and Christian symbolism.

This extensive collection documents three activities that Edward West held as central throughout his life: (1) his long career as Canon Sacrist, Sub-Dean, and Master of Ceremonies at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, (2) his service as Chaplain to the United States National Guard, and (3) his devotion to liturgy and the church’s observance of the ceremonial, including many artistic achievements in the areas of heraldry and architectural motif. The archive contains sermons, addresses, original artwork, correspondence, photographs, audio recordings, news clippings, and awards and honoraria from the period 1930-1990 with some collected works as early as 1903 and as late as 1992.

Bibliographical Records, 1929-1990
Ministry, 1919-1921, 1941-1988
Published Works, 1943-1983
Creative Works, 1943-1989
Liturgy and Worship, 1922, 1933-1990
Ecclesiastical Design, 1929, 1942-1992
Correspondence, 1938, 1941-1989, 1992
Ecumenical Relations, 1903, 1915-1934, 1943-1988
Subject Files, 1890-1912, 1930-1931, 1940-1989, 1992
Travel, 1947-1971
Collected Materials and Ephemera, 1952-1977
Audio/Visual, 1941-1989

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

• Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
• Church architecture
• Compass Rose
• Ecumenism
• Iconography
• Liturgy
• Religious symbolism

• L’Engle, Madeline (Subject)
• West, Edward Nason (Subject)