The General Synod Archives started in 1927 when the General Synod of the Church of England in Canada appointed an Archives Committee “in order to assist in preserving data relative to the past of our Church in Canada.”  The five person committee was to co-operate with the Registrar in locating, listing and collecting material of historical value.  Since then the collection policy has become clearer and General Synod Archives firmly established.

In 1955, the General Synod appointed the Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Millman as the first General Synod Archivist.  The Archivist was to collect, preserve, and make available the records relating to the General Synod and its departments; to organize a Reference Library relating to the history and activities of the Church in Canada, and the Anglican Communion; and to co-operate with the Canadian Church Historical Society in promoting interest in the history of the Anglican Church of Canada.  The General Synod Archives gained a more permanent status with the creation of an archives canon (Canon V) in 1986.

The General Synod Archives operating under Canon V acquires, preserves and provides access to the records of enduring value created by the General Synod, it’s committees, councils, boards and commissions and includes the official papers of the Primate, the General Secretary and all other officers and employees of the General Synod.  To this end the GSA also provides record management services and archival appraisal to the national office departments. The General Synod Archives forms part of the Office of the General Secretary.

The General Synod Archives is also the repository for records created by organizations and individuals affiliated with the Anglican Church of Canada and who are of historical significance to the national Church.  This includes the Archives of the Diocese of the Arctic and the former Diocese of Keewatin which are on deposit at the GSA.  The Archives has actively acquired publications and other media productions that document the history of the Anglican Church of Canada.

Fonds consists of records of the Archives Committee (1942-1995), project files, records of the Canadian Church Historical Society (CCHS), records of the Anglican Diocesan Archivists network, litigation research files, and administration files.