Historical Note

The Association for the Sociology of Religion (ASR) was founded in 1938 as the American Catholic Sociological Society. As changes gradually occurred both in the Catholic Church and in the organization's membership, its interests became more ecumenical and ranged beyond any particular church. In 1971 the Society's name was changed and its stated purpose became that of stimulating concerted study and research in the sociology or religion in all its social and cultural dimensions.

The collection includes correspondence, minutes, publications, and other records concerning the association's annual meetings, publications, and general administration. Many records were destroyed in a moving van accident in 1968.

Scope and Content

Series 1, Administrative Subject Files, 1938-1999, contains material relating to the general administration of the organization, including correspondence files of past presidents, copies of ACSS and ASR constitutions and related correspondence, and information on the name change. The records are arranged alphabetically by subject and chronologically thereunder.

Series 2, Executive Secretary/Officer Files, 1962-2001, contains correspondence and reports, arranged alphabetically by subject or type of document and chronologically thereunder.

Series 3, Executive Council Files, 1961-2001, contains minutes of meetings, arranged in chronological order.

Series 4, Annual Meetings Files, 1946-2005, 2008, contains programs, business meeting minutes, and photographs of the 50th anniversary meeting. It is arranged in chronological order.

Series 5, Financial Records, 1963-2001, contains reports of the ASR's income and expenses, arranged in chronological order.

Series 6, Editorial Files, 1962-2003, contains correspondence, minutes, and reports related to the editing of ACSS/ASR publications, arranged alphabetically by subject or type of document and chronologically thereunder.

Series 7, Committee Records, 1961-2005, contains correspondence and minutes of ACSS/ASR committees, arranged in alphabetical order.

Series 8, Publications, 1948-present, contains copies of the organization's journals, newsletters, and membership directories, arranged in alphabetical order and chronologically thereunder.

Series 9, Curated Website Captures,2011-, provides access to versions of the ASR's website.