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History
Acadia University is the oldest Baptist-related institution of higher education in Canada, having its origins in Horton Academy, founded in 1828 in what is now Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Acadia Divinity College, formerly the Divinity School and now the Faculty of Theology of Acadia University, traces its beginnings to 1967 when it was separately chartered and affiliated to Acadia University.
The Acadia Centre for Baptist and Anabaptist Studies (ACBAS) was established by the Acadia Divinity College, in cooperation with the Vaughan Memorial Library of Acadia University, in April 1991. Its primary goal is to encourage and facilitate studies in the fields of Baptist and Anabaptist history and thought.
Purpose
The purpose of ACBAS is twofold:
1
To encourage research and studies into all aspects of (1) Baptist history and theology, especially in the Atlantic region of Canada; (2) the Anabaptist movement (the Radical Reformation); and (3) the present heritage of, and contributions by both of these branches of the Christian tradition.
2
To support the academic programs of Acadia Divinity College and Acadia University, especially in the fields of church history, the Baptist and Anabaptist traditions, and theology.
Objectives
- To encourage the acquisition of additional materials for the study of Baptist and Anabaptist history and theology in Vaughan Memorial Library and Archives of Acadia University.
- To assist researchers with identification of materials in the Acadia collections.
- To publicize and promote the use of resources at Acadia University.
- To sponsor special lectures in the fields of Baptist and Anabaptist life and thought, e.g. the George A. Rawlyk Memorial Lecture in Baptist Studies and the Jarold K. Zeman Memorial Lecture in Anabaptist Studies.
- To develop a circle of scholars and students for continuing research in the two fields of inquiry.
- To provide fellowships and grants toward travel and residence expenses of visiting scholars and students.
- To subsidize participation in conferences related to the purpose of the Centre.
- To cooperate with, and provide, assistance to other agencies and institutions who share the objectives of ACBAS.
- To undertake special projects in Baptist and Anabaptist studies as opportunities and resources arise and allow.
- To publish or assist in publishing Baptist and Anabaptist scholarship.
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Administrative Committee
The centre is administered by a committee and a director appointed by the Acadia Divinity College Board of Trustees.
Rev. Dr. Melody Maxwell, Director
Acadia Divinity College
Rev. Dr. Carol Anne Janzen, Chair
North Kentville, Nova Scotia
Rev. Evan Colford, Secretary
Berwick, Nova Scotia
Scott Kindred-Barnes
Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Dr. Michael Dennis
Acadia University
Rev. Sherrolyn Riley
Dartmouth, NS
Rev. Dr. Stuart Blythe
Acadia Divinity College
Taylor Murray
Hamilton, Ontario
Pat Townsend
Acadia University Library
Heather Saunders
Acadia University Library
Peter Ludlow
Kentville, NS
Arthur Penner
Grafton, NS
Wendy Robicheau
Acadia University Library
Advisory Board Members
Toivo Pilli
International Baptist Theological Study Centre
Hannah Lane
Mt. Allison University
Gary Waite
University of New Brunswick
Doug Weaver
Baylor University
Pam Durso
Central Baptist Theological Seminary
Aileen Friesen
University of Winnipeg
Gordon Heath
McMaster Divinity College
Lucille Marr
McGill University
David Bebbington
University of Stirling
Keith Grant
Crandall University
Directors
Melody Maxwell
Dr. Melody Maxwell was appointed as director of the Acadia Centre for Baptist and Anabaptist Studies in May 2019. She also serves as Associate Professor of Church History at Acadia Divinity College. Dr. Maxwell holds degrees from Union University (BA), Samford University (MDiv), and International Baptist Theological Seminary (PhD). She has written multiple articles and books related to Baptist history, with an emphasis on Baptist women and missions. She is also involved with organizations such as the Baptist World Alliance, International Conference on Baptist Studies, and Baptist History and Heritage Society.
Previous Directors:
William H. Brackney
2009-2018
H. Miriam Ross
1996-2006
Jarold K. Zeman
1991-1996