The Gobal Archives Project (GAP) was initiated in response to inquiries about the disposition of records located at ICA Chicago. Unlike archival records in other ICA locations, the Chicago files include a collection of the work of founder and leader Joseph W. Mathews as well as records of the proceedings and products of Global ResearchAssemblies and Councils held from 1965 to 1984.
Phase I of GAP began November 1992 and completed with the pulbication of this catalog. In June 1993, a professional archivist was engaged as a consultant to work with staff to develop a catalog code system for organizing the files. After researching several software programs, Minaret was purchased as the database. It is designed specifically for library, archive, and museum collections and is used by the National Library of Congress and many universities. The catalog code system has been shared with all ICA offices in order that records may be networked and made globally accessible.
GAP has received a broad base of support and volunteers have donated many hours of time to the project. ICA colleagues from around the world have donated time, money and expertise to make possible this offering of the Global Archives Project catalog.
The basement room which houses the Archives
in the Kemper Building in Chicago.
Marge Philbrook is the current director of the Global Archives Project, succeeding Lyn Mathews Edwards in January, 1996.
The Order Iron Cross, the Iron Cross displayed on the wall, and the Bible used in the Daily Office at the Ecumenical Institute in Chicago.
Fifth City Demonstration Project was the learning place for the Institute of Cultural Affairs. The Iron Man statue still stands at Fifth Avenue and Homan Street in Chicago. The Minature statues were used to identify the religious houses all over the world.
A composite mantage of colleagues hangs on the wall of the archives. Colleagues all over the world working in various projects and giving care at the local.
Colleagues with Mrs. Lyn Mathews Edwards looking over the New Religious Mode charts on the wall in the Archives.
Six Ur Posters Hanging on the Wall as you enter the Archives.