HISTORY OF THE ARCHDIOCESAN ARCHIVES

he Archdiocese of Chicago’s Archives & Records Center, judged by its influence on Catholic cultural development in an American and international perspective, is likely unique. The institution is best described as a repository and research center for the Archdiocese of Chicago documents, with virtually all aspects of its numerous collections and programs. Its mission has remained constant: to collect, preserve, disseminate historical information, and to make available for research the official records of the Archdiocese.

Although the Diocese of Chicago was established in 1843, the Archives was not established formally until Archbishop John Cody took action in 1966. The librarians at the Feehan Memorial Library at the St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein did their best with limited resources and time to preserve archival material.

The Archdiocese officially appointed Rev. Charles R. Meyer as the first archivist and his task was monumental. More than one hundred cases of unprocessed documents, generated in the chancery office, were deposited at the Seminary in Mundelein. These materials required organizing and processing. Rev. Charles R. Meyer was also committed to the duties as a librarian, professor of systematic theology, and professor of church history. Rev. Meyer acquitted himself commendably and set the pattern for the continuation of the organization of the Archives.

In the spring of 1968, Cardinal Cody appointed Msgr. M. J. Madaj as Rev. Meyer’s replacement. The Archives’ location in the Feehan Memorial Library was quite inadequate. In April 1970, the Archives was relocated in the seminary’s former philosophy school building and office staff was increased to meet the need. Msgr. Madaj actively solicited donations of historical material, greatly enriching the holding of the Archives. The acquisitions included chancery correspondence, legal documents, and private correspondence of the bishops, among other papers.

Under the influence of the history-minded Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, Archbishop of Chicago, the archives and records management programs received greater attention. In the early spring of 1985, the Archival Advisory Board made recommendations to move the archival collections from Mundelein to Chicago to meet the new vision for management of the Archdiocesan Archives. Msgr. Madaj retired in spring 1986, after seventeen years of faithful and professional service as the Archdiocesan Archivist. The position of the Archivist was left vacant. This situation necessitated a national search for a director with both an archival and records management background. During the summer of 1986 the archival collection was boxed and moved from St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein to a new location (a rented warehouse owned by Foodservice Professionals) at 5150 Northwest Highway, Chicago, Illinois.

Unfortunately, the move was not done under Msgr. Madaj direction, and therefore the provenance of some records was not maintained. A new location and new generation of archivists accompanied the development and commitment to the new vision for the Archdiocese’s Archives. Rita Galvin was chosen for the temporary position as the records manager (1986). A national search was initiated by Rev. Robert Kealy, Chancellor, to find someone to oversee both the archives and records management program. John J. Treanor was appointed as Assistant Chancellor for Archives & Records in December 1986. Msgr. Madaj’s successor, John J. Treanor, continues to preserve and safeguard the Archives of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Under new leadership, the Archives & Records Center developed a new collection development policy, the first records management manual, retention schedules, and retrieval systems for inactive records storage.

The Archives, in October 1996, made its final move to its present location at 711 West Monroe Street. In honor of the man so interested in preserving Archdiocesan history, the Archives was dedicated to Joseph Cardinal Bernardin. The building was renovated into a state-of-the-art repository, featuring environmental controls, advanced fire suppression system, and an advanced security system. Automation enhances the description of archival materials and operations of records management. The USMARC AMC Format enables greater efficiency in collection descriptions, better control of archival materials, and the creation of an authority file. The Archives & Records Center developed its own software, which handles records management operations. Special microfilming projects have addressed several collections.

Our Catholic society is entering into a new age of global interaction and competition. It is experiencing rapidly evolving technological changes, which will prove to be extremely important in the pursuit of positive collection development policy, preservation, and broad access. Archdiocesan archivists are continuously gathering primary documentation: internal files of agencies, organizations, memories and oral histories, diaries, personal papers, and photographs of leading Chicago Catholic personalities.

More about the Archdiocese Chicago’s Archives and Records Center can be found in the following sources:

1. Madaj. M. J. "The Chicago Archdiocesan Archives", Illinois Libraries, April 1981, 63, 4,
pp. 322-326.

2. Ed. By Rev. Msgr. Harry C. Koenig, S.T.D. Caritas Christi Urget Nos Institutional History Archdiocese of Chicago. Chicago, IL: The New World Publishing Company, 1981.

3. Treanor, John J, "The Archdiocese of Chicago’s Archives and Record Center". Illinois Libraries, October 1987, vol.69, no. 8, pp.570-572.