Loudoun's Quilt of Faith 2008

Access and use

Location of collection:
Thomas Balch Library
Thomas Balch Library
208 West Market Street
Leesburg, Virginia 20176
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Alexandra S. Gressitt
Phone: (703) 737-7195
Fax: (703) 737-7195

Summary

Creator:
Christopher Stevenson
Abstract:
Loudoun's Quilt of Faith, an inter-faith oral history project begun in 2008, explores the importance of religion in the lives of Loudoun County residents. The collection includes digital and print photographs, digitized interviews, and church brochures.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The collection includes digital and print photographs, digitized interviews, and church brochures. It is an open collection; additional materials will be added as they are completed.

Completed:
  • Bethany United Methodist Church, Purcellville
  • St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Purcellville
  • St. James Episcopal Church, Leesburg
  • St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Purcellville
  • King of Kings Worship Center, Purcellville
  • Northern Virginia Baha'i Center, Sterling
  • All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS), Sterling
  • Abundant Life Church of God, Hamilton
  • Hamilton Baptist Church, Hamilton
  • Hamilton Ward - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Hamilton
  • Second Mount Olive Baptist Church, Hamilton
  • Unitarian Universalists of Sterling, Sterling
  • Leesburg Church of the Nazarene, Leesburg
  • Greek Orthodox Parish of Loudoun County, Dulles
  • Grace Annex United Methodist Church, Purcellville
Biographical / historical:

Loudoun's Quilt of Faith, an inter-faith oral history project begun in 2008, explores the importance of religion in the lives of Loudoun County residents. Conceptualized as part of a national oral history project, America's Quilt of Faith, Loudoun's Quilt of Faith is currently the only active component. Project founder and Loudoun County resident Christopher Stevenson, a physicist, teacher, and engineer by training, was inspired by what he sees as the exceptional role religion played, and continues to play, in the cultural and political life of the United States.

Stevenson points to the United States of America's unique religious experience as fundamental in allowing the emergence of America's twenty-first century religious landscape. He also sees the United States' religious experience as markedly different from the rest of the world -- both advanced and developing nations -- where absence of practicing faith and/or lack of tolerance and religious diversity are hallmarks.

Building on the survey work of institutions like the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life and the 2008 American Religious Identification Survey, Stevenson seeks to capture a snapshot of the diversity of the American religious experience in a narrative format. He developed a template of twenty-eight questions, ranging from salvation and sin to evangelism to the role of religion in revitalizing American families, to which both leaders and congregants of religious communities were asked to respond. These interviews were digitally audio-recorded. In addition, Stevenson and photographer Kim Graham and Heather Lindsey attended worship services, during which Graham photographed congregations actively practicing their faith.

Acquisition information:
Christopher Stevenson, Purcellville, Virginia
Physical description:
.85 cu. ft. (15 churches)