Joint archive, largely dating from 1910-1945, of the International Missionary Council and Conference of British Missionary Societies, relating to co-operative missionary endeavours in Africa (chiefly British Africa, but also including areas under Belgian, Portuguese and French control) and India, in the form of correspondence, memoranda, pamphlets and reports, including material relating to various other missionary societies, comprising original files on Africa, and microfiche copy of files on India.
International Missionary Council and Conference of British Missionary Societies Archive
This material is held atSchool of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Archives, University of London
- Reference
- GB 102 IMC-CBMS
- Former Reference
- GB 102 IMC/CBMS
- Dates of Creation
- 1910-1945
- Name of Creator
- Language of Material
- English French German Portuguese
- Physical Description
- 135 boxes and 851 microfiche
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
The archive dates from the period after the World Missionary Conference held in Edinburgh in 1910. The Conference of British Missionary Societies was founded in 1912 with over 40 member missionary societies of various denominations. The International Missionary Council (IMC) was founded in 1921 and its members comprised interdenominational associations of missionary societies in various countries and interdenominational field bodies. The two bodies shared premises at Edinburgh House, near Sloane Square, London, until the IMC became part of the World Council of Churches in 1961.
Arrangement
The archives comprise two sub-collections (sub-divisions): records of work in Africa and records of work in India.
Access Information
For files relating to Africa, originals may be issued and ordered via the IMC/CBMS number indicated on the handlist. To order and access files on India, please quote the microfiche reference (ie FBN number).
Open
Acquisition Information
The original files on Africa were deposited with the archive of the Conference of British Missionary Societies in 1977.
Other Finding Aids
Unpublished handlist for Africa (2 volumes) and India (1 volume).
Alternative Form Available
Published on microfiche by IDC Publishers.
Location of Originals
The original files on India are deposited at the offices of the World Council of Churches in Geneva.