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Rowan Tree Church Periodical Collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Collection number: MS-150-5

Scope and Contents

The Rowan Tree Church is an Earth-focused network of communities and solitary practitioners dedicated to the study and practice of the Wiccan Tradition they call Lothloriën. They encourage spiritual growth through support, resources and educational opportunities for members. They also offer formal pathworking leading to an understanding of the Inner Mysteries. This collection contains a comprehensive collection periodicals on Modern Witchcraft, Modern Paganism, Modern Druidry, Kemetisism, Prison Ministries, and much more.

Dates

  • 1977 - 2016

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Biographical or Historical Information

The Rowan Tree Church was formed in 1979 gaining legal recognition on February 4, 1980. Founded by Rev. Paul Vincent Beyerl (1945–2021), a third-degree initiate of the Alexandrian Tradition, the church’s Wiccan faith is called the Tradition of Lothloriën. Lothloriën was formed to be more inclusive and accepting of gays and lesbians, like its gay founder.

Extent

18.00 Boxes

17 Digital links

Language

English

Additional Description

Arrangement Note

Arranged alphabetically by title

Custodial History

From the beginning, a library of contemporary Pagan and Wiccan publications was acquired to provide resources for their students. At its height, the Church had over forty publications it subscribed to or exchanged. Although Rev. Paul Beyerl moved several times, the periodicals remained in Minneapolis under the care of Church members for a number of years. In May of 1995, the collection was relocated from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Moline, Illinois under the custodianship of Patricia Youngquist (1948–2010). A year after the move, Rev. Beyerl noted that the collection was inaccessible due to its fragility but hoped that one day the collection could be “placed on microfilm or CD for future generations.” Subscriptions had dwindled, but were still ongoing. In 2006 the periodicals were moved again and continued to remain in storage with Rev. Beyerl reiterat ing that they are inaccessible due to their fragility. Under the custodianship of “Lizard” Frank Cordeiro (1944–), they were secured in plastic tubs in the hopes that one day they could be preserved. Guy Frost learned of their fate and extended an invitation to Rev. Paul Beyerl to give them a new home, which, after consulting with Board members, he accepted.

Subjects

Classifications

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Archon Finding Aid Title
Status
In Progress
Author
Guy Frost
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

Revision Statements

  • 2020-06-04: Revised for DACS compliance by Douglas Carlson

Physical Storage Information

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections Repository

http://www.valdosta.edu/archives/
Contact:
Valdosta State University Archives, Odum Library
1500 N. Patterson St.
Valdosta GA 30601 United States
7063728116
229-259-5055 (Fax)