Missionary Research Library Archives (at the Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary): History

Origins at the 1910 World Missionary Conference

Originally planned and led by J.H. Oldham and John R. Mott, the 1910 World Missionary Conference called for missionary societies to gather at Edinburgh to ensure cooperation and organization for a global missionary network. During the World Missionary Conference, it was “decided that a central library was needed as a depository for information on missions and as a reference and research tool for mission boards” (Kamsler, 2014). 

Establishment in New York City

In 1914, the Missionary Research Library was officially established with the financial assistance of John D. Rockefeller, Jr at the Foreign Missionary Conference of North America on Madison Avenue. The Missionary Research Library was created to be used “by a variety of people and organizations: missionaries on furlough and in the field; those in missionary organizations or on mission boards; professors of missions and students studying the topic; scholars; anthropologists; the government; other libraries; and the general public” (Kamsler, 2014).  Despite the collections being used by varying groups, the Foregin Missionary Conference removed the Missionary Research Library from their budget in 1927. In 1929 the Missionary Research Library relocated to the Brown Tower at Union Theological Seminary. Though the MRL continued to have a place at Union Theological Seminary, it eventually became a functional part of the Burke Library in 1967 (Frame, 1998).

Operations and Housing at Union Theological Seminary's Library

The Missionary Research Library’s staff demonstrated dedication to preserving the library. Appointed by Dr. John R. Mott, Charles H. Fahs became the secretary of the Missionary Research Library in its early beginnings (later curator and then director). When financial trouble began in 1929, Fahs encouraged the president of Union Theological Seminary, Dr. Henry Sloane Coffin, to house the MRL at the Brown Tower (Beaver, 1977). Alongside Fahs was the MRL’s first librarian, Hollis Hering, who served until 1948. Both Fahs and Hering’s work has been highlighted by religious researchers as part of the success of the Missionary Research Library. 

Photograph of MRL Library and Staff, circa 1930-1963 (date unknown). MRL 12 "Missionary Research Library Administrative Records, 1851-1994" Series 7 Box 1. Housed at The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University in the City of New York