Bishop Renison was well known for his sermons and oratory. In his archives he kept many of the drafts from his sermons as well as letters, newspaper clippings, notes, photographs and negatives which he used to inspire his thought processes. This includes sermons from his time as a missionary in James Bay, as Rector of Ascension Anglican Church in Hamilton, Ont, as Rector of Christ Church Vancouver and Dean of Westminster, as Archbishop of Athabasca, as Rector of St. Paul’s Anglican church on Bloor St. in Toronto, and as Archbishop of Moosonee and Metropolitan of Ontario. 10 linear cm. textual records.

Bishop Renison collected many items directly related to certain events in his life which were particularly meaningful to him.

Bishop Renison was a prolific and talented writer in addition to his work as a church man. Fluent in Cree, he wrote a hymn book in Cree. He also wrote a life of Bishop Sullivan, Canada at War, Wednesday Morning, (which was a selection of his editorials for the Globe and Mail), For such a Time as This, (which was a collection of his Sermons), and One Day at a time, (his Autobiography). Starting in 1937, he wrote a popular newspaper column in the Globe and Mail which he continued until his death in 1957. He collected his drafts for books and editorials as well as clippings of all of his Globe and Mail articles. He also kept a diary of a trip to the Artic.

The Renisons received letters from a number of sources. Parishioners would often send letters to Bishop Renison asking for spiritual advice, as would readers of his column in the Globe and Mail. They also received letters from friends and family throughout Canada and the United States and Europe, including friends they made at various parishes where the Bishop Renison served as Rector. Both sons served during W.W. II and both wrote letters home, with son George Renison being particularly prolific as a letter writer.

Bishop and Mrs. Renison were frequently called on to make speeches to a number of organizations including among others the Canadian Club and Anglican Church Women and others. This file contains handwritten and typewritten drafts of speeches the Renison's made.

Bishop Renison and his family collected newspaper clippings from a number of newspapers (especially the Hamilton Spectator, The Globe and Mail, the Timmins, Ontario newspapers and the Toronto Star.) Of particular note are clippings about the Rev. Renison’s wedding to Elizabeth Bristol, his appointment to St. Paul’s, his trip to Great Britain as a correspondent for the Globe and Mail, and his appointment as the Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario.

The Renison family collected a number of photographs and negatives ranging from family snapshots to larger (10 x 13) photos taken by newspapers. They collected photos of landscapes from the northland, first nations people, parishioners, locals from the parish communities they served, parish events, parishes and life events etc.ca.500 photographs

Bishop Renison saved some the books he used with his notes. Included are Cree grammars, Hymns, Bibles and prayer books in Cree and his Greek Bible.

This Subfonds contains different types of official documents and memorabilia collected by Bishop Renison. Included are army documents, War medals, Church documents and records, Academic documents and Reverend Renison's army stoles.

Items (Photographs, letters, newspaper articles, writings) by and about Elizabeth Bristol Renison after the death of Bishop Robert John Renison, especially in connection with Renison College.