George W. Barrett papers, 1974 -- 1999

Collection context

Creator:
Barrett, George W. (George West), 1908-2000
Abstract:
George West Barrett was an Episcopal Church minister who in New York and California who irregularly ordained Episcopal women priests in Washington D.C. in 1975. The collection contains correspondence, publications and audio-visual materials related to the Washington irregular ordinations.
Extent:
0.75 linear feet (0.75 linear feet; 2 boxes), 2 audiocassettes (2 audiocassettes), 2 videocassettes (VHS) (2 videocassettes (VHS)), and 2 compact disks (2 compact disks (audio))
Language:
English .
Scope and content:

The collection contains correspondence, publications, and audio-visual materials related to George West Barrett and the Washington irregular ordinations, including transcripts and ordinances from the Episcopal Church, statements made by Barrett and other church leaders, church newsletters, clippings, books, and audio-visual material by Barrett, Bishop Robert L. DeWitt, and Alison Palmer.

Biographical / historical:

George W. Barrett was born in Iowa City, Iowa in 1908. His family soon moved to Pasadena, CA where he grew up. Barrett received bachelor degrees from UCLA and the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, MA. He also studied at Occidental College and the General Theological Seminary in New York. In 1936 he married Emma Dee Hanford, a marriage which later ended in divorce. Barrett served as rector of St. Mark's, Upland, CA, St. Luke's in Monrovia, CA and St. James's in Los Angeles. In 1963 he became Bishop of Rochester, NY. Barrett strongly advocated for justice and peace in the church and society. In 1965-66, Barrett led the national Episcopal Church's House of Bishops Committee on the place of women in ministry. He was an ardent supporter for women's ordination in the Episcopal Church. On September 7, 1975, he ordained four women (Eleanor Lee McGee, Alison Palmer, Betty Powell Rosenberg and Diane Tickell) in a highly controversial ceremony held at St. Stephen and the Incarnation in Washington D.C. He was temporarily banned from acting as minister, but his actions were an integral step towards the Episcopal Church's approval of women's ordination at the General Convention in 1976. In 1970, Barrett retired as Bishop of Rochester and moved to California. In the same year, he married Bettina Tvede Barrett. In 1979 he became the Bishop in Residence at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Los Angeles. Barrett later became the Bishop in Residence at Trinity Church in Santa Barbara. He died in December 2000 at the age of 92.

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Onsite storage.

Terms of access:

Some material in this collection may be protected by copyright and other rights. Information concerning copyright, fair use, and reproduction requests can be consulted at Columbia's Copyright Advisory Office.

Preferred citation:

Item description, AWTS: George W. Barrett papers, 1974-1979, box #, folder #, The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University in the City of New York.

Location of this collection:
Before you visit:
Researchers must book an appointment at least 5 business days in advance to view special collections material in the reading room. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to one item per hour of appointment time.
Contact:
burke@library.columbia.edu