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.

The collection spans the years 1805-1928, with most of the material dating from before Fifield's death in 1859. The bulk of the material consists of letters, sermons and various documents. It also includes oil portraits and daguerreotypes of Fifiled and his wife, Celia. A few of the sermons date from Fifield's years as a secular banker; this indicates that he probably continued to preach somewhat during those years. It should be noted that several of Fifield's sermons are written on the back of correspondence which he received. Many of the documents are in poor condition and should be handled carefully, as should the oil paintings which are both cracked and flaking.

Many of the documents are in poor condition and should be handled carefully, as should the oil paintings which are both cracked and flaking.

The collection contains Thomas C. Nixon's journals beginning from 1815 to 1872. The journals reflect Nixon's daily activities including personal and business relationships, preaching, and his plantation activity among other topics. Here we see how Nixon's character develops over time and details related to his ministry, especially preaching, and his emotional reactions regarding suspension from the annual conference and the issue of slavery. The early journals discuss a great deal about his dedicated circuit-riding days whereas the later journals reflect on his life as a plantation owner. The collection also contains notebooks, loose journal pages, sermon notes, financial records, and clippings. There is also a photocopied collection of material related to the Nixon Family’s history which contains correspondences, copies of photographs, journals, notebooks, and sermons material along with additional family records.

This 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