This series comprises records pertaining to places of service where deaconesses have worked since 1884. These records were collected and retained by the Deaconess Community of the LCA for its own use. The dates range from 1890-2002, with the bulk from 1930-1979. The record types include histories, articles of incorporation, by-laws, agreements, annual reports, minutes, correspondence, financial documents, applications for services of a deaconess, reports, agenda, memoranda, orders of services, handbooks, job descriptions, catalogs, promotional materials, invitations, programs, pamphlets, leaflets, calendars, yearbook, pictures postcards, news clippings and articles, newsletter issues, and photographs. Most of the materials are typed or printed, but a few are handwritten. Most are in English; a few records are in German. No attempt has been made to describe newsletters or their content. In most cases, there are no more than three or four issues; often there is only one. In a few cases where deaconesses served for many years, there are multiple issues, and sometimes several different newsletters. Such institutions include Ken-Crest, Lankenau Hospital, Lutheran Home at Germantown, and the Lutheran Social Mission Society of Philadelphia. These records do not include all the stations of service where deaconesses served. Also, while names of some deaconesses who served at the various stations may be found in the records, there may have been other deaconesses who are not listed. The last folder contains lists of deaconesses who served at various places, but these are not up-to-date and perhaps not complete for the years they cover. Some of the very early records list deaconesses who are not listed at those stations in directories; it may be that deaconesses were loaned out for a short period from their regularly appointed place of service and were not listed as working at the place to which they were loaned. Some materials are dated 1988 or later, years in which the Lutheran Church in America had merged into the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Such records were kept with the places of service for continuity purposes. Conditions of records range from good to excellent.
