
Welcome to the IPHC Archives and Research Center
"Light is sown for the righteous." (Psalm 98:11, NIV)
Light can mean God's wisdom, guidance, knowledge, favor, direction. Sown means someone went ahead of you and planted.
It's humble work. It's hard work. It is work that does not get a spotlight or receive applause. On this website, you will find some of the history of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. These people of vision cared for you and your future. They were the ones in the pulpit and they were the ones in the pews. They were the ones who set foot on foreign lands and the ones who faithfully tithed to carry out God's work. Inspired by God, empowered by faith, emboldened by prayer, and ignited by the Holy Spirit, they laid the very path you walk upon if you are a part of the IPHC.
When we look ahead, our feet should be energized by our history.
When we ignore our history, we extinguish our harvest and dim the light. Our past invites us into our future.
I invite you to treasure the archives we protect and to appreciate the vision G. F. Taylor had in 1921 when he understood we had to preserve our history even as it was unfolding in its early years.
God has blessed and provided for the IPHC. We must treasure what has been left, we must study our roots, and we must let our heritage continue to inform how we bring God's light to the lost. We must continue to collect archival treasures for the future, and to remember that everyone in the IPHC is important here. Whether you are new or whether your family goes back a couple of generations, you are valued.
Who we are today is just a moment in the middle of a very long future. I invite you to explore this website to be encouraged by what God has done through His people.
Join us for the Archives Breakfast
Friday, July 17, 2026 from 7:00-8:30 a.m.
Special speaker: Rev. Zach Tomlinson
2026 General Conference
Register online
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Follow us on Facebook
Rev. Cherie McDade, the Archives Administrative Assistant, is the one who posts 99% of our social media. Every week, she goes into the vaults and prays to find something to encourage and to interest you. Please consider joining us online! We have over 1,200 followers.
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Visit our Online Library Database
Videos * Recorded Sermons * Sermon Outlines * Full Text Books and Documents * Photos * Historical Items * And More!
Looking for sermons to read or to hear? Videos? Books to read? Photos? We have well over 2,000 items in our online library, and we are adding to this every week. If you need a book, check here first and see if we have it linked as a pdf. If you are new to using this resource, please watch this short video to learn how. We have over 3,000 items here, and we have linked to Flickr photo albums with several thousands of pictures as well.
Great stuff you will find in our online library (this is not a list of everything!):
- 1st General Conference Minutes, 3rd General Conference Minutes, 9th and 12th Annual Session for the Georgia Conference Minutes, The State of the Church for the 13th General Conference by J. A. Synan (1957), Brief History of Western North Carolina IPHC by David McGhee,
- Recorded sermons by Bishop Jesse Winley Revivals, OKC, 1977, B. E. Underwood, Vinson Synan, Leon Stewart (Courtesy of Director of Archives for South Carolina, Larry Jones), 16th General Conference (1969), 18th General Conference (1977), 19th (1981) General Conference, 20th (1985) General Conference, 21st (1989) General Conference, 1975 Evangelism Conference; “I Love to Tell the Story”: Centennial Celebration, The Appalachian Conference by Connor Clyde, 2010; "All Together in One Place," Dr. Hunter; J. D. Simmons, WIN Prayer Conference by Bob Willhite, Tony Miller, Holmes Bible College Great Commission Conference, John Bates,
- Full text books by J. H. King (our first Bishop), Noel Brooks, N. J. Holmes (founder of Holmes Bible College), G. F. Taylor, Joseph E. Campbell (he wrote the history of the IPHC), 1904 Yearbook of the Holiness Union in Memphis, Agnes LaBerge (first person to speak in tongues in the 20th century), Dan Muse (former Bishop), Charles Bradshaw, The Gospel Hymnal, Leon Stewart (former Bishop), Paul F. Beacham, Dan and Dollie York, F. V. Ellenberg,
- Photos of the King Family, Holmes Bible College and Altamont (its previous name), the Upper South Carolina Beech Spring Campgrounds (courtesy of Director of Archives for the Upstate, Zach Tomlinson), former Bishops, dedication of the Easley, SC church, Dr. Paul Beacham (President of Holmes Bible College), Holmes Bible College students, the Archives and Research Center Centennial Celebration in 2021, Photos of the 2011 Centennial Celebration in NC for the IPHC,
- Periodicals such as Worldarama, Live Coals of Fire (1899-1900),
- Sunday Schools materials including Little Friends of Jesus
- Copies of sermons or sermon notes by R. L. Rex, John Bates, J. H. King,
- Videos such as an interview with King's children, 27th (2013) General Conference, 28th (2017) General Conference, 29th (2022) General Conference, Lou Shirey's 40 Day Prayer Covenant, various historical figures (by Dr. Hunter), Annual Conference Sessions (1979, 1997, 1983, "The Family" by Donna Stewart,
- Full text copy of King's College Illustrated Catalog from 1928-9,
- Blueprints for the Global Ministry Center (Headquarters),
- Dedication Ceremony for the GMC, 1975;
- Official Song Book for the 1977 General Conference,
- First World Conference of the PHC by B. E. Underwood (pdf),
- Letters from Blanche King to her son Joseph during WWII,
- Many photo albums. Search by "photo album" to bring these up. They link to Flickr and can contain anywhere from a few to hundreds of pictures. Feel free to comment on the pictures and name who is in them or share a memory!
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The Pentecostal Consortium
The Advocate * IPHC Manuals * IPHC Minutes * The IPHC Experience * The Fire-Baptized *
Other Pentecostal Denominations
Looking for a copy of an Advocate? For church minutes? Manuals? For the IPHC Experience? Search thousands of pages relevant to our history, and that of the Fire Baptized, on the Pentecostal Consortium. Here's a short video showing you how to find what you need on this important resource.
Webinar
In the Fall of 2025, I worked with the Society of Pentecostal Studies Library and Archives Committee, and our amazing Chair, Caleb Courtney, put together this video. If you are a scholar or just interested in many of the possibilities for research, please view this one. This special 50-minute, 4-segment webinar features insightful interviews with leading scholars and archivists, showcasing how the Consortium of Pentecostal Archives empowers research into Pentecostal history, theology, and communities. The presentation is in English with live subtitles available in many languages, including Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, and Zulu. Whether you’re a scholar, pastor, or history enthusiast, this premiere shows how the Consortium of Pentecostal Archives opens the doors to Pentecostal history, theology, and publications from around the world. It's free, accessible, and easy to navigate.
Tutorial: Unlocking Global Pentecostal Research (20 minutes)
Caleb Courtney talks with Dr. Darrin Rodgers, Director of the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center, about the Consortium’s 638,000+ searchable pages in 178 languages. Explore rare Slavic materials, French and English archives, and learn how anyone can browse by denomination, language, or era—and even contribute materials. You can explore this phenomenal resource for yourself at pentecostalarchives.org.
Case Study: Tracing Pentecostal Connections Through Hidden Breadcrumbs (10 minutes)
Jim Darlack interviews Dr. Dara Delgado (UNC Wilmington) on how small archival “breadcrumbs” reveal the connections, revivals, and ministerial work of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW). Discover practical tips for navigating archives and uncovering historical context beyond simple keyword searches.
Case Study: Mapping the History of the Assemblies of God (10 minutes)
Dr. Kristen Welch sits down with Dr. Daniel Isgrigg (Oral Roberts University) to show how the Consortium allows him to track influential figures, piece together complex narratives, and explore early church documents and minister directories in the Assemblies of God (US). Learn how this free resource provides insights into local church histories, family legacies, and Pentecostal communities worldwide.
Case Study: Exploring Controversial Histories: Snake Handling in Pentecostalism (10 minutes)
Dr. David Roebuck interviews Dr. Dan Tomberlin (Pentecostal Theological Seminary) about his book Snakes at the Altar about the practice of snake-handling in the early years of the Church of God (Cleveland, TN). See how the Consortium helped him uncover decades of rare articles, trace the history of snake handling, and explore early Pentecostal interpretations of Scripture—efficiently and all from the comfort of home.
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Can't find it?
If you don't see the book you need linked to our online library, you should see if you can get it by interlibrary loan. First, search World Cat for books and other items. Need help? Please watch this short video explaining how to get a printed copy of a book you need for study or research using this database. If the book is not available by interlibrary loan, please email Dr. Welch with what you need.
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Dr. Kristen Welch currently serves as the Director of Archives and Research.
Rev. Cherie McDade serves as the Assistant.
Please contact us at:
kwelch@iphc.org or archives@iphc.org
Call: 405-787-7110 ext. 7157
We welcome your donations, even if they are only digital copies. We have a high-speed scanner on site in OKC if you want to bring an item in to be scanned for inclusion in our digital collection. Please fill out this donation form and reach out before making an appointment with us to drop off physical items. We seek to add to IPHC history, and we value each and every person who wishes to contribute.
Please contribute to the Anthology of IPHC Woman Preachers (contributions due Dec. 1, 2025):
Click here to share your work.
IPHC Archives and Research Center Awards
Give Financial Resources to Archives
What's Happening Right Now in the Archives
Our Collections
Visiting the IPHC Archives
Global Ministry Center: Instructions for E-Archives
Using Our Materials for Publication
Timelines
History of the IPHC
How our Theology has Been Shaped Over the Years
The IPHC on the Oklahoma History Center Website
Significant Locations in IPHC History
Educational Institutions
Chaplains and the Military
Orphanages and Hospitals
Conferences and Locations
Affiliations and Memberships
General Conferences
General Superintendents or Bishops of the IPHC
Minutes
The Advocate
Manuals
Advocate Press/LifeSprings
Global Ministry Center: 50th Anniversary 2025
IPHC Scholars
IPHC Authors
Regional IPHC Archives
The IPHC in Oklahoma History
Research Guide
Strategic Plan for the IPHC Archives
Quilt Project
The 2021 IPHC Archives Centennial
News from the Archives