The Partee Center                

In 1885, the Missouri Baptist Historical Society was formed to begin recording and collecting historical materials dealing with all aspects of Missouri Baptist history. In 1908, the collection moved to a permanent home on the campus of William Jewell College. In 1981, the Center for Baptist Historical Studies was created to encourage the organization of this material, collection of new documents, and to provide direction to Missouri Baptists in writing and preserving their own history.

In 1985, a William Jewell graduate, William E. Partee, a lawyer and a 1925 graduate of the school, gave the college an endowment to secure the future of the collection and its services.  The Center was renamed the William E. Partee Center for Baptist Historical Studies in honor of his generous gift. Since that time, the Partee Center has expanded the volume of historical materials and services available to anyone interested in researching or learning about Baptist history.

Currently, the Partee Center houses over 10,000 biographical files, over 2,500 church history files, association annual meeting minutes, association histories and newsletters, photographs, publications dating back to the 1820’s and a wide range of books. 

Not only is material available for research, but a number of services are provided for churches such as assistance with planning anniversaries, direction in writing an individual history and support in creating a preservation plan for historical materials.

The Partee Center is open to the public. Appointments are strongly encouraged. Researchers should read carefully the attached research guidelines.

Contact Angela at (816) 781-7700    Extension: 5490  for an appointment.

Also, check out the new Partee Center web site!

Would you like to know more about Faith & Learning at William Jewell?