The bulk of the three hundred and fifty-one folders in this collection are placed in the Study of the Parish System series. In the mid-1960's, the Council of Bishops asked Bishop Garrison to do a comprehensive study on how to restructure the parish ministry to meet the rapid changes in both society and United Methodism. Here we find all the records of Garrison’s study which still influences parish ministry into the early 21st century. The researcher will be surprised at the efficiency and scope Garrison brought to the task. By the early to mid-1970's Garrison wound down his research and presented his findings to the Council of Bishops. The Episcopal series documents Bishop Garrison’s work as administrative head for both the Dakotas and Indian areas. Besides illuminating his bishopric work amongst the annual conferences within the appropriate episcopal geographic boundaries, there are other records on important topics facing the larger denomination as well. A number of audio CD’s created from reel-to-reel tapes record meetings and ordination services that Garrison took part in during his episcopal tenure. The Ministry series covers his professional life prior to his episcopal election. One will find sermons, overseas trips, vital church records where he served and other kinds of materials related to local church ministries. Lastly, is the Education series which centers on higher education. Degrees, earned or honorary, are located in various folders. Correspondence makes up the rest of the series which includes notable figures in church and political circles.
Garrison, Edwin RolandThis accession consists of bound volumes containing various New York area local church marriage, baptism, probationer and membership records. A few series also contain other types of records, including minutes and historical information.
Bethel – Marriage and Baptism 1927-1951
Brooklyn Deaconess Association – Minutes and 1913-1919
Buffalo – Marriage and Baptism 1911-1913
Centenary – Marriage, Baptism and Membership 1839-1857
Embury – Marriage, Baptism, Probationers and Membership 1867-1922
First Place – Marriage and Baptism 1857-1924
Fleet Street – Marriage, Baptism, Probationers and Membership 1850-1920
Grand - Marriage, Baptism, Probationers and Membership 1861-1870
Gravesend – Marriage, Baptism, and Membership 1899-1914
Greene Avenue – Marriage, Baptism, and Membership 1868-1892
Herkimer Street – Marriage, Baptism, Probationers and Membership 1887-1918
Janes Street – Marriage, Baptism, Probationers and Membership 1859-1948
Johnson Street – Marriage, Baptism, and Membership 1857-1893
Leonard Street – Marriage, Baptism, Probationers and Membership 1869-1896
Sands Street – Marriage, Baptism, Membership, Financial Records and Minutes 1794-1945
Simpson Street – Marriage and Baptism 1850-1920
South Fifth Street (St. John’s) – Marriage and Baptism 1851-1891
South Second Street – Marriage, Baptism and Membership 1856-1918
St. James – Marriage, Baptism, Probationers and Membership 1900-1950
St. John’s – Marriage, Baptism, Probationers and Membership 1850-1957
St. Luke’s – Marriage, Baptism and Probationers 1881-1898
St. Paul’s – Marriage, Baptism, Probationers and Membership 1879-1912
Sumner Avenue – Marriage, Baptism and Membership 1892-1919
Union Street – Marriage, Baptism, Probationers and Membership 1870-1924
Warren Street – Baptism, Marriage and Membership 1865-1896, 1947-1961
Washington Street – Marriage and Baptism 1876-1893
Williams Street – Marriage, Baptism, Probationers and Membership 1851-1880
York Street – Marriage, Baptism and Membership 1850-1913
United Methodist City Society of New York