The American Society of Church History is an organization of scholars who share a common interest in the history of ecclesiastical experience and in the historical interaction between religious expressions and culture. Founded in 1888, the Society has developed along ecumenical and pluralist lines to incorporate people from many formal religious persuasions as well as individuals with no religious allegiance but who share an interest in religious history. Relevant themes of programs and publications now embrace the entire history of Christianity and related subjects, and demonstrate a tremendous diversity of scholarly methodology and interest. The Society encourages research into both more narrowly conceived areas of church history and broader spheres dedicated to the examination of religion's relationship to its surrounding culture.