Step 1 - Gather whatever history (or histories) have already been done

     The first thing to look for is any history that has already been written in the past. Something may have been written in the past that can be developed or updated. There may be a short history in a directory or previous church anniversary event.
     An important resource is primary documentation at your local church. This includes minutes of church meetings, church records, bulletins, newsletters, etc.  If material is missing, check with long-time members, church leaders, and former pastors. They may be able to help locate information.

Step 2 - Interview older members or outside persons that have knowledge of your church's history

     You probably have members that go back to various point in your church's history. Depending upon the age of the members, you may be able to gather information up to 75 or so years in the past. Some people related to members that have passed away may have information passed down to them from their ancestors.

Step 3 - Search local records (such as courthouse records and newspapers)

     You may check out historical resources for your community. This may provide information on your church and also gives additional information on the setting around your church. Check any local histories and newspapers. Look up any acts or records at the courthouse (e.g. purchases for church property).

Step 4 - Research conference journals

     Every year after annual conference a journal is produced with a summary of the proceedings and information about the conference events and statistics from the previous year. One of the more useful parts of the journal is the list of appointments. You can check the appointment list to see who was pastor of your church that year./
     The journals also have memoirs. These are obituaries for pastors (and pastors' spouses) over the years. These memoirs have been placed online at this website.
     Your church/pastor may have copies of the journal going back a number of years. If your church/pastor doesn't have a good collection, you may want to check with a nearby church that is older or a retired pastor. The archives at Centenary has a complete set of journals.

Step 5 - Utilize the resources at the archives, specifically the old journals and N.O. Christian Advocate

     The conference history resources can be found at Centenary and Dillard. Centenary is the primary archives. The archives room is in the basement of the Magale Library. Additional storage is located in the attic. The archivist will have to escort you to the attic if you need to use those resources. A list of archived items can be found online.
      There is a vertical file of local church histories in the archives room. The list of materials in that cabinet can be found online.
      Dillard began as the repository of the African-American Conference B churches. A listing of Dillard's holdings can be found on this website.
      The New Orleans Christian Advocate was the early version of our conference newspaper. It was produced by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. It began publication in the mid-1800s. The archives at Centenary has microfilm copies of the almost 100 years of issues. After it ended (circa 1947), the Louisiana Methodist paper began.
      The northern branch of Methodism, which began forming churches after the Civil War, published the Southwestern Christian Advocate. Most churches of predominantly African-American heritage were begun by the northern branch. Dillard University has selected paper issues of the paper.
      The N.O. and Southwestern Advocate are useful because they give "color" to our history. They are not indexed, so you will have to look through them issue by issue. You may find articles here and there about events being held at your church.