THE LUTHERAN ARCHIVES CENTER AT PHILADELPHIA (LACAP) PROVIDES ARCHIVAL SERVICES FOR THE SEVEN SYNODS OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA (ELCA) REGION 7. THIS INCLUDES ORGANIZING THE RECORDS OF EACH SYNOD AND ANY OF ITS CLOSED CONGREGATIONS, PLACING THE RECORDS INTO ARCHIVAL HOUSING, STORING THEM IN A CLIMATE-CONTROLLED VAULT, AND MAKING THE RECORDS ACCESSIBLE TO RESEARCHERS. LACAP ALSO MAINTAINS A HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL CHURCH RECORDS FROM THE MINISTERIUM OF PENNSYLVANIA, FOUNDED IN 1748. FINALLY, LACAP PROVIDES A RESEARCH LIBRARY AND GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH SERVICES FOR MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.