The Dixon Pentecostal Research Center received the John H. Thweatt Archival Advancement Award from the Society of Tennessee Archivists. The award is presented each year to individuals, groups, or organizations that have made contributions to the advancement of archives and archival issues within Tennessee.
Announcement of the award noted that the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center has used its collections to emphasize the role of religious traditions in Tennessee and commended the staff for actively promoting the center’s collections, for encouraging archival best practices, and for working to document the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements as well as the Church of God.
Melissa Hope accepted the award on behalf of the research center at the Society for Tennessee Archivist’s annual meeting in Memphis. Ms. Hope is a graduate student in the master of arts public history program at Middle Tennessee State University. She began working at the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center while a history student at Lee University and continues to process collections and prepare exhibitions on a contractual basis at the center. Ms. Hope also received a student scholarship to attend the Society of Tennessee Archivists annual meeting.
Founded in 1971 on the campus of Lee University by then President Dr. Charles W. Conn, the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center is one of the world’s most significant collections of Pentecostal materials as well as the archives of the Church of God, said officials. Students at Lee, the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, and other educational institutions visit the center to research materials related to the Pentecostal Movement. The center owns a library of more than 10,000 books and other library materials as well as personal papers and records of individuals and institutions related to the Church of God. Examples include Charles W. Conn, Ray H. Hughes, Lee University, North Cleveland Church of God, and the A. J. Tomlinson family.
Dr. David G. Roebuck is director of the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center and serves as historian for the Church of God. He is also an assistant professor of the history of Christianity at Lee and an adjunct member of the faculty at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary.
The Society of Tennessee Archivists was founded in 1977 to enhance the educational development and professional standing of those who work or have an interest in archives, special collections, records management, and allied disciplines. The society publishes a newsletter and hosts an annual conference for the archival profession. Additional information about STA and the Thweatt Award can be found at tennesseearchives.org.