Archives Important in Preserving Wesleyan History

College students request information for research papers about Wesleyan history, while some Wesleyans learn of distant relatives who served as ministers with the Church and want to learn more about that loved one. Or when churches celebrate anniversary milestones, the names of former pastors are requested. Research needs vary regularly, and Rev. Greg Teegarden thoroughly enjoys helping fulfill those requests.

“I am actively helping people discover Wesleyan history,” says Rev. Teegarden. “I see this as a ministry to people because it’s important [to them].”

Rev. Greg Teegarden, who also pastors full-time at Mt. Hope (Wesleyan) Chapel in Michigantown, Indiana, has been the director of archives in the Department of Communications at the Church’s headquarters since 2008. Much of his time is spent responding to and researching requests from various individuals who need information on the Church’s history. He also assists in developing media ministries for DOC.

The Wesleyan Church is a denomination rich in history and the archives department makes research possible for those who are searching to learn more about it. The Wesleyan Movement was founded by preacher and theologian John Wesley, and the American Wesleyan Church came into being in 1843 as a result of moral and social reforms.

A denomination resulting from a 1968 merger of the Wesleyan Methodist Church and the Pilgrim Holiness Church, The Church has 400,000 constituents in 5,000 churches and has missions in 80 countries. The archives department is located at The Wesleyan Church World Headquarters in Fishers, Indiana. The archives space at headquarters consists of a book library, office, vault, and workroom. Within those walls are newspapers, books, photographs, church information, and sermons, videos, and photos, among other items.

“Archives preserves and promotes Wesleyan history,” says Rev. Teegarden. “People are reading and learning about Wesleyan history.”

Rev. Teegarden receives so many research requests that sometimes it can take a day or two to gather the needed information. But he sees great value in the role he plays in connecting Wesleyans to their history. “I like seeing and hearing people get excited about Wesleyan history that means something to them,” he says. “That’s what makes this job worth it.”

To contact Rev. Teegarden with research requests, send an e-mail to teegardeng@wesleyan.org or call 317.774.7996.