DCHS archivist begins work in Bethany

The Disciples of Christ Historical Society has called Shelley L. Jacobs as full-time archivist. She began her work in Bethany, West Virginia July 25, 2016.The Society is the repository for church files, personal papers, records, books and journals, artifacts, and memorabilia related to the three streams of the Stone-Campbell movement. Her primary responsibility is organizing that material so it is available for research to congregations, institutions, and individuals.

Jacobs is a native of Saskatchewan, Canada and a life-long member of the churches of Christ. She received her Bachelor of Theology from Western Christian College in Saskatchewan. In her Master of Arts program at Harding School of Theology in Memphis, Jacobs majored in church history focusing on Restoration Studies. “I became interested in restoration history when I realized that the younger generations in Western Canada no longer knew our stories. I was concerned that our history would be lost without a concentrated effort to preserve it. Since that time I have been working toward that end,” she commented.

Having tracked J.C. Bailey’s evangelical work in Western Canada, she is preparing her master’s thesis for publication. She has presented papers at the Pepperdine Bible Lectures at the university (Malibu, CA), the Christian Scholars Conference at Lipscomb University (Nashville, TN), the Canadian Churches of Christ Historical Society.

Returning to Canada after her graduate work, she was library director and instructor at her alma mater and worked on archives collections and organization until the school closed in 2012. Over the next two years she managed, packed, and itemized the collection so it could be turned over to the Saskatchewan Provincial Archives.

“Shelley Jacobs is uniquely qualified to be the Historical Society’s archivist at this time of its transition and restructuring. She brings solid library experience and a deep appreciation of the nineteenth century restoration movement,” said John Imbler, interim executive director.

The Historical Society is close to completing work on its new building near the Campbell Mansion and Study in historic Bethany, West Virginia. The dedication and celebration of its new home will be held on September 10.