Lambeth Conferences

The papers of the Lambeth Conference, which met first in 1867 and roughly every ten years thereafter, comprise verbatim accounts of the proceedings, committee minutes, correspondence and photographs. The subjects covered by the Conferences were wide-ranging, spanning social and political issues as well as matters of ecclesiastical and theological significance throughout the world (see the published reports and resolutions, and R.T. Davidson (ed.), 'The six Lambeth Conferences, 1867-1920', 1929).

Also includes records of the Lambeth Conference Central Consultative Body, 1897-1954 (ref: LCC 1-7).

The records reflect the role of the Archbishop as leader of the Anglican Communion.

A Lambeth Conference for 1940 was proposed, but never took place. After the 1968 conference administration of the Lambeth Conferences passed from Lambeth Palace to the Anglican Consultative Council.

By conference.

Open

Catalogue of the records of the Lambeth Conferences, 1867-1958 [LC 1-202], and of the Central Consultative Body, 1897-1954 [LCC 1-7] (typescript).

Barber, M. (ed.) Index to the Lambeth Conference Papers, 1867-1958 (typescript, 1993). This provides an index of correspondence, speakers at the Conferences, and photographs of the bishops.

Finding aids are unpublished.

Records of the 1968 conference are uncatalogued except for the typescript proceedings [LC 203] and photographs [LC 204].

A microfilm of the proceedings, 1867-1958, and correspondence, 1867-1888, is held by the archivist of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Austin, Texas - the following volumes:

LC 1, 6-9, 15-19, 23, 33, 35-44, 49-57, 59-70, 73, 77, 80-102, 104-111, 115-133, 137, 139-143, 146-150, 155-170, 172-73, 179-184, 186-88, 192-99.

LCC 1-2.

See also microfilms at Lambeth Palace Library.

Copies of group photographs in MS Facsimile 20.

Subject to copyright of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Copyright of official papers of Archbishops W.Temple, Fisher and Ramsey is owned by Lambeth Palace Library.

No further accruals of papers in this series after the 1968 conference.

These form part of the archives of the Archbishops of Canterbury, which also comprise: Archbishops' papers (AP), Bishops' Meetings records (BM), Cartae Antiquae et Miscellaneae (Lambeth Charters) (CM), Convocation records (Conv), Court of Arches records (Arches), Faculty Office records (F), Temporalities records (ED and T), and Vicar General records (V). These relate in particular to Archbishops' Papers.

See also manuscript series and printed books.

For papers concerning administration of the Lambeth Conferences from 1978 onwards, held by the Anglican Communion Office, contact the Executive Assistant to the Secretary General at the Anglican Communion Office. Some records of the 1998 conference (the first to have a dedicated website) are available online: http://www.lambethconference.org/1998

There are, however, papers of the Archbishop himself relating to the Conference from 1978 in the main sequence of Archbishops' Papers.

See also resources online which include all the resolutions passed at the 13 Lambeth Conferences from the earliest in 1867 to 2008: http://www.lambethconference.org/resolutions/index.cfm