Stan Ingersol, manager of the Nazarene Archives, retired 1 March 2022 after 36 years serving as steward of the historical legacy of the Church of the Nazarene. The Nazarene Archives, housed at the Global Ministry Center in Lenexa, Kansas, is home to thousands of items that provide a window into Nazarene life and history. 

“During his tenure, Stan has developed the Nazarene Archives into a world-class operation that will continue to serve the denomination with excellence in the years to come,” said General Secretary Gary Hartke. “Over the years, Stan has served as a sought-after presenter at conferences and events. He has resourced many leaders throughout the Church of the Nazarene. Stan will leave a significant legacy; the denomination is better for his service and dedication.”

Ingersol began his assignment as archivist in 1985. He was the second full-time archivist for the Church of the Nazarene, succeeding Steve Cooley, who became the denomination’s first archivist in 1979. Over the years, Ingersol has worked tirelessly to help process valuable material that provides insight into the story of the Church of the Nazarene, from the early period to more recent times.

“We are not Xerox,” Ingersol said. “We do not document the world. What we do instead is try to assemble a cross-section of collections that document different parts of Nazarene culture: camp meetings, revivalism, missions, women and their roles in the church.”

In addition to curating a broad swath of Nazarene culture, Ingersol noted that the Archives also document the church through the eyes of various leaders.

“The BGS, general secretary, general treasurer, district superintendents, and pastors all have different angles of vision through which they see the church,” Ingersol said. “[We] assemble collections that collectively would allow you to look at the church from different angles and different perspectives.”

Nazarene Archives periodically accepts collections from missionary families, former general superintendents, and many others who have served the church. To earn the trust of these families who donate manuscripts and documents to the Archives, Ingersol says there has to be a level of credibility, which he believes is one of the biggest achievements of the office.

“With Archives, you have to build credibility,” Ingersol said. “And if you’re not careful, you can lose it.”

Ingersol’s credibility resulted in many invitations to write; he was widely published in periodicals including Holiness Today, Wesleyan Theological Journal Methodist History, and Illustrated Bible Life. He served as co-author of Our Watchword and Song, a book documenting the historical journey of the Church of the Nazarene. In addition, he represented the Church of the Nazarene on the World Methodist Council from 2001 to 2011 and from 2016 to 2022.

On Tuesday, Ingersol’s colleagues and friends gathered at the Global Ministry Center to celebrate his accomplishments and the impact he has made on the lives of so many. As a parting gift, Ingersol received a copy of his favorite picture in the archives—a color photograph of the original girls’ gospel team in China, which dates back to the 1920s and 1930s. 

At his celebration, Ingersol reflected on his 36 years of service to the church as denominational archivist. He recalled that when he was hired by then General Secretary B. Edgar Johnson, they agreed on a commitment of only four years.

“I didn’t realize it would be the opportunity of a lifetime,” Ingersol said. 

Ingersol is succeeded by Ryan Giffin, a graduate of MidAmerica Nazarene University and Asbury Theological Seminary. Giffin also serves as pastor of Village Community Church of the Nazarene in Basehor, Kansas.