The Restore & Renew Capital Campaign was formally launched at the 2025 General Assembly with a lead gift of $1.5 million from Bethany Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Houston, Texas. This extraordinary gift represents one half of the campaign’s overall goal of $3 million and provides the funding to begin building the library. In recognition of this generosity, the new library wing will be named the Bethany Christian Church, Houston, Memorial Library for the Alexander Campbell Collection.

Bethany Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Houston has a long history of supporting ministries and institutions across the wider church. Their commitment to the Historical Society reflects both trust in our mission and a vision for the future of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). By investing in the creation of a state-of-the-art archival library, the congregation has ensured that the Campbell Papers and Library will be permanently preserved and made accessible to scholars, pastors, and congregations. This lead gift not only advances the construction of the new facility but also symbolizes the importance of safeguarding the legacy of the founding generation for future study and interpretation.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Campbell Library took place in Bethany with members of the Board of Trustees joining alongside the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens. The event marked the formal beginning of construction and celebrated the vision of preserving and expanding access to the Alexander Campbell Papers Collection. Photos from the day highlight the strong support from church leadership and trustees, underscoring the project’s significance for both the Historical Society and the wider church.

Curious about how you can support the Restore and Renew Campaign? Learn more about the Campaign and make a pledge today.