General Support

African American perspectives and experiences remain under-represented in the annals of Presbyterian history. We are bringing human and capital resources to bear on collecting records of the Black Presbyterian experience--both the personal records of longtime church workers, and the original records of Black congregations. This collecting initiative redoubles PHS's efforts to document Black lives, work, and witness in an increasingly multicultural Church—from the organization of the First African Presbyterian Church in 1807 to the election of the first African American stated clerk of the PC(USA) in 2016.

In 2016, PHS began collecting records in memory of Pam Byers—the first Executive Director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians—to document fully all sides and perspectives on the forty-year movement for ordination and marriage rites in the PC(USA). Through her generosity, faith, and commitment to justice, Pam McLucas Byers united Presbyterians across the theological spectrum in conversations about the rights of LGBTQIA+ Presbyterians. Support the Presbyterian Historical Society as we extend our reach across the denomination and uncover new opportunities to add to the Pam Byers Memorial Collection by indicating that your gift is being made in honor of Pam.

Read about Pam Byers here.