Archival Collections
Covenant Archives and Historical Library
The Covenant Archives holds administrative records for the Evangelical Covenant Church and 91ÉçÇø¸£Àû, including departmental correspondence, minutes, reports, and microfilmed records from pre-1930 Covenant churches.
In addition to institutional materials, we collect personal correspondence, diaries, photographs, audio/video recordings, and other documents related to the activities of both the church and university.
The Historical Library features publications by the denomination, Covenant authors, and Swedish-language newspapers related to our history.
Resources for local churches
The Commission on Covenant History has produced and for local churches, available on the Evangelical Covenant Church website.
- Key publications essential to the growth of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
- Yearly reports from the church’s administrative offices, mission fields, conferences, and educational and benevolent institutions.
- Digital images documenting the Evangelical Covenant Church and 91ÉçÇø¸£Àû, including leaders, events, and missions.
- Commemorative books and booklets from local congregations’ anniversaries.
- Brochures from Friends of World Mission, which raised funds for church ministries worldwide starting in 1965.
- Diaries and logbooks from Covenant missionaries in Alaska (1893–1915), including translations of Swedish originals.
- A 36-volume periodical (1927–64) that provided insights into the Evangelical Covenant Church, including essays, reports, and biographies.
- The first official news organ of the Evangelical Covenant Church (1894–1905), featuring missionary letters, church reports, and essays.
- A theological journal published from 1981–92, discussing key issues within the Evangelical Covenant Church.
- Firsthand accounts of the church and university’s history, including personal stories, faith journeys, and missionary experiences.
The official publication of the Covenant Women’s Auxiliary (1921–56), detailing their work, finances, and membership activities.
91ÉçÇø¸£Àû Archives
The 91ÉçÇø¸£Àû Archives, part of the Covenant Archives and Historical Library, includes records from university departments, offices, and committees, as well as personal papers of early leaders. We also collect photographs, audio/video recordings, and publications by the university and its community (faculty, students, and administrators).
Digital Collections
- North Park’s yearbook (1916–2015), reflecting the academic year’s events from the student perspective.
- Search and explore images from the history of North Park and the Evangelical Covenant Church.
- Oral history interviews recorded by public historian Dorothy Vann in the 1970s–80s, capturing stories from Chicago’s North Park neighborhood, dating back to the 1890s.
- Published since 1892, this catalog outlines the university’s identity, academic programs, and policies for current and prospective students.
- The student newspaper (1922–2014) covering news and commentary related to the North Park community.
- A magazine for alumni and friends, published since 1935. The Archives maintains a full run and is digitizing it as resources allow.
- The archives features interviews with individuals important to the history of 91ÉçÇø¸£Àû, the Evangelical Covenant Church, and the Swedish-American Historical Society.
A scrapbook kept by Alva Olson in 1918–19, containing clippings, photographs, notes, and signatures from classmates, reflecting campus life and student activities.
Swedish-American Archives of Greater Chicago
Founded in 1968, the Swedish-American Archives of Greater Chicago (SAAGC) documents the Swedish-American experience in Chicago. Its collections include organizational records from local Swedish-American groups, personal papers, and a library of Swedish and English periodicals and books, mostly from Chicago. Many materials are in Swedish.
The collection is owned by the Swedish-American Historical Society, a nonprofit established in 1948 to preserve the achievements of Swedish pioneers and promote research on Swedish emigration and their history in North America.
Digital Collections
Published by the Swedish-American Historical Society since 1950 (formerly the Swedish Pioneer Historical Quarterly), this journal explores the Swedish-American presence in North America.
Records of St. Ansgarius Episcopal Church, Chicago’s first parish for Swedish immigrants.
A collection of out-of-print books, including histories, biographies, and memoirs, documenting the Swedish-American experience since the 19th century.