Bishop’s Cross Award
Diane Wells
Former Diocesan Archivist

Diane Wells faithfully served as the Diocesan Archivist and Records Manager for 28 years, starting in 1994. During her tenure, Diane’s extensive skills and expertise ensured that the archives flourished and furthered the overall diocesan vision that acts out God’s inclusive love, peace, and justice, uniquely living out this call within our specific local communities.

Bishop Vincent Warner once wrote that Diane’s leadership style “empowers others to do their best […].” This is evident in the way she guided parishes and missions throughout the diocese to improve the storage and retention of their records. She built strong relationships with both clergy and congregants and took a proactive role through her workshops on the hows and whys of record preservation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a time of uncertainty and change, Diane worked tirelessly to ensure that staff could access the materials they needed from home, and she started digitizing materials such as the diocesan collection of architectural drawings.

In addition to her work for the diocese, Diane has represented the diocese within the broader Archival Profession. Diane served as chair, secretary, and member-at-large of the Archivists of Religious Collections Section which is a subgroup of the Society of American Archivists. Diane has also served on the Board of Directors for the National Episcopal Historians and Archivists, and was a member of the Seattle Area Archivists, among other organizations. Diane has also helped foster the next generation of librarians and archivists by hosting volunteers and interns from the University of Washington and library schools around the country, giving them hands on experience and teaching them how to put classroom theories to practice.

Beyond her service to the diocese, Diane also gave her time, resources, and talents to the world, opening her home to students from local universities, as well as hosting refugees from around the world. As of this past April, Diane retired as Diocesan Archivist and Records Manager, but she leaves a legacy within the diocese and congregations of ensuring that the rich history of this diocese continues to live into the future.

It is my great honor to award Diane Wells the Bishop’s Cross.