This lowcountry Episcopal church in the Rockville community of Wadmalaw Island evokes the reverence for history that church historians help preserve and interpret. Photo courtesy of artist Robin Jones

Church historians from around the state gathered Saturday, January 14, at the SC History Center, 8301 Parklane Road in Columbia, to share information and resources.

At 10 am, Dr. Rodger Stroup, executive director of the SC Department of Archives and History, welcomed participants to the first–ever SC meeting of church historians representing all denominations and faiths. Stroup is church historian at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Columbia.

The inaugural meeting afforded both experienced and new church historians opportunities to discuss needs and learn how the SC Department of Archives and History may be able to help.

Church historians are charged with responsibility for church records that provide genealogists and family historians a rich source of valuable information and links to the past. As interest in history increases and expands, churches are experiencing growing pressure to preserve and maintain such records and make them easily accessible.

Hurricane Katrina heightened the public’s awareness of the importance of protecting and preserving church records. The day–long meeting Saturday provided church historians a forum to discuss issues and challenges they face in carrying out their responsibilities.

For more information call 803-896-6139.