Welcome

Explore the rich history and heritage of The United Methodist Church through our curated digital exhibits. As part of GCAH’s mission to promote and preserve the denomination’s historical legacy, these exhibits showcase artifacts, documents, and stories that illuminate the spiritual, social, and cultural contributions of United Methodism across the world.

Our digital platform serves as a gateway for congregations, researchers, students, and history enthusiasts to engage with meticulously curated collections that span the Church’s founding, key historical events, influential figures, and evolving traditions. Each exhibit highlights unique aspects of United Methodist history, offering both visual and contextual insights into the past while fostering a deeper understanding of the present and future of the Church.

The General Commission on Archives and History, located on the Drew University campus, manages these collections and collaborates with local churches, Annual Conferences, and historical societies to ensure that United Methodism’s diverse stories are preserved and made accessible to future generations.

Browse through our exhibits and discover the stories that have shaped Methodist identity and mission in the world.

Advisory Warning

These archival exhibits contain historical materials that reflect the social, cultural, and theological perspectives of their time. Some content may include language, imagery, or viewpoints that are outdated, offensive, or harmful by today’s standards. These materials are preserved to document history and promote understanding, but they may be difficult to engage with for some viewers. We encourage users to approach these resources with sensitivity and awareness of their historical context. If you have questions or need support, please contact the archives.

Featured Content

  • AfricaAlbum17.pdf
    MissionsPhoto Album...1 more

    Mission Photograph Albums

    Between 1910 and the late 1920s, The Methodist Church Board of Missions sent photographers around the world to document the work of the Board. The result was over 200 photograph albums containing more than 45,000 pages of images; near to 200,000 images in total. The images were assembled into these albums in the 1930s and handwritten captions were added to the images. Many of the captions were from the photographers' logs or notes. The images capture what life was like in many places around the globe at the beginning of the twentieth century along with the work of the Methodist Church in creating schools, hospitals and churches.

Recent Exhibits

  • AfricaAlbum17.pdf
    MissionsPhoto Album...1 more

    Mission Photograph Albums

    Between 1910 and the late 1920s, The Methodist Church Board of Missions sent photographers around the world to document the work of the Board. The result was over 200 photograph albums containing more than 45,000 pages of images; near to 200,000 images in total. The images were assembled into these albums in the 1930s and handwritten captions were added to the images. Many of the captions were from the photographers' logs or notes. The images capture what life was like in many places around the globe at the beginning of the twentieth century along with the work of the Methodist Church in creating schools, hospitals and churches.

  • Homosexuality and the Christian - explor.pdf
    ActivismLGBTQ+

    Faithful Witness: The United Methodist Church and LGBTQ+ Inclusion

    This digital exhibit traces the evolving conversations, debates, and advocacy surrounding LGBTQ+ inclusion within the United Methodist Church (UMC). Spanning decades of activism, theological reflection, and policy struggles, the exhibit highlights pivotal moments and key voices that have shaped the church's approach to human sexuality. It weaves together stories of resistance, dialogue, and transformation, offering a lens into the complexities of navigating faith and justice in a global denomination. The documents displayed have been fully digitized and are browsable by clicking on their images within the exhibit.

View All Exhibits (2)

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