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BIENNIAL

Biennial 2011 San Juan, Puerto Rico

June 24 - 26. More information to come!

Biennial 2009 Pasadena, CA

Every two years, American Baptist Churches delegates and visitors gather for fellowship, worship, and to conduct denominational business. Plans are already underway for the next Biennial scheduled for June 26-28, 2009. ABHS will be there, with special exhibits and events. Check this site for information about our plans.

Biennial 2007 Washington, D.C.

Proving how much history matters to them, about 200 people rose early to attend the 7:00 a.m. breakfast sponsored by the Historical Society during the American Baptist Churches' Biennial in June 2007. Held at the historic Calvary Baptist Church, where the national denomination was formed 100 years ago, the breakfast served as the exciting launch of the Society's History Matters capital campaign.

Dr. Anthea Butler, Professor of Religion at the University of Rochester, provided an energizing example of the need to preserve and share historical Baptist records. She spoke excitedly about her research using the ABHS collections to learn about teacher and home missionary Joanna P. Moore, who worked with former slaves after the Civil War.

"It was important to teach people how to read, so they could understand the Bible for themselves," said Dr. Butler.

She came across Miss Moore's name through the story of Lizzie Robinson, a wash woman taking in laundry, who became the first leader of the women's department of the Church of God in Christ.

"Miss Moore got my hands out of the washtub and onto the Bible," Miss Robinson was reported as saying.

Said Dr. Butler, "I decided I needed to learn about this woman who had influenced Miss Robinson so much.

"The American Baptist Historical Society was great, got me everything I needed and it was well organized. I've appreciated having the Historical Society at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, but the move to Atlanta will also be wonderful, especially with being near to so many other Baptist groups, institutions and historical collections.

"As it was with my research, ABHS will be truly helpful to put together the pieces of the puzzle."

The crowd also responded with enthusiastic applause after seeing the new DVD, History Matters. In just five minutes, the DVD talks about why Baptist history matters, explains the need for the consolidation (including a preview peek of our new home) and lays out the plans for the solid future that the campaign will provide.

To view the DVD on-line, click here.
To request a copy of the DVD, email abhs@abhsarchives.org.