The SEJ Commission on Archives & History
Made up of representatives from each of the Annual Conferences in the Southeastern Jurisdiction plus several at-large members chosen for their particular expertise, the Commission meets annually at Lake Junaluska Assembly to plan and evaluate its work. Archives and History is an agency of the Southeastern Jurisdictional Administrative Council of The United Methodist Church.
The SEJ Heritage Center
The most visible work of the Commission is found in the Heritage Center at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. The museum features historic exhibits depicting the history of the United Methodist Church and its antecedents with special emphasis on the Southeastern Jurisdiction. One section is devoted to the history of Lake Junaluska Assembly. The archives contain records of the Jurisdiction and Lake Junaluska Assembly, journals and newspapers of the SEJ Annual Conferences, some local church histories and clergy biographical information, books, videos and artifacts. A special portion of our archives it dedicated to the correspondence and other personal papers of Harry Denman.
During the summer the archive is open for researchers five days a week, the museum six days. Fall through Spring the hours are shortened. Persons planning to bring Confirmation classes, or other groups, to Lake Junaluska are urged to include a visit to the Heritage Center in their plans. Please call well ahead to make arrangements so you can be sure we will be open and we may give your group special attention.
- The SEJ Historical Society
Working with the Commission is the SEJ Historical Society which meets in July at the invitation of one of the Annual Conference Commissions/Historical Societies or at Lake Junaluska Assembly. Three days are devoted to learning through listening, touring and sharing: business and good fellowship. Officers are elected from across the Jurisdiction and the steering committee is made up of the representatives of each Annual Conference. Members receive quarterly newsletters. Anyone interested in the history of United Methodism in the Southeastern Jurisdiction is invited to join. Membership information is available from the Heritage Center.
July 14-17, 2003
- The Heritage Preservation Workshop
- Every other year (odd numbered years) the Commission offers a workshop designed to help persons interested in or charged with responsibility for preserving our church history. Pastors, local church historians, Annual Conference officers and Commission members especially are urged to come to gain insight into the task, set goals and learn skills for reaching those goals.
- The Heritage Center Endowment
- An endowment fund has been formed to help under gird the
work of the Heritage Center. Your gift will help to preserve and keep alive
the stories of the remarkable persons and events that make up our unique
history as United Methodists in the Southeast.
When you give, you honor a person who has made a significant contribution to our heritage and you provide funds for current and future operations of the Heritage Center.
To make your donation or to receive more information on anything you have seen here, please contact Kimberly R. Boyd, Heritage Center Director.
If you would like to mail in a donation,
please address it to:The Heritage Center Endowment
PO Box 1165
Lake Junaluska, NC 28745