Guide to the American Society of Church History Records

In 1888, Philip Schaff, a nationally renowned church historian, founded the American Society of Church History (ASCH). The organization was conceived as a professional society of leading American church historians, clergy, and interested laymen. The society met annually in December to present research papers. The proceedings of these meetings were published in The Papers of the American Society of Church History (1888-96). A second series of proceedings appeared from 1913 to 1934. Initially the ASCH retained many of Schaff's founding ideals, notably the study of church history as a separate discipline and the movement of church historians towards greater understanding between denominations.

Gradually the membership acquired a more secular bent and, in 1896, voted to merge with the American Historical Association (AHA) as the Church History Section. The relationship permitted only minimal participation by the ASCH, however. Since the AHA Annual Reports were printed at government expense, the publication of church-related papers was too sensitive an issue, given the concept of separation of Church and State. Dissatisfaction with the existing arrangement between the AHA and the ASCH resulted in the reorganization of the latter in 1906, as an independent entity. Since then, the society has held its annual meetings in conjunction with the AHA. Spring membership meetings are also held annually by the ASCH.

Since 1932 the quarterly journal Church History has served as a forum for scholarship. In addition the society encourages excellence in church history research through the Philip Schaff Prize and the Frank S. and Elizabeth D. Brewer Prize, both of which award a subsidy towards the publication of winning manuscripts.