Reverend Dr C.M. Churchward (1888-1968) was a noted linguist. As a Methodist missionary at Rotuma, Fiji, in the 1930s, he prepared a Rotuman Grammar and Dictionary, which was published in 1940. He also published A New Fijian Grammar (1941) and an English-Tongan dictionary. He revised the Rotuman New Testament (1930) and the Tongan New Testament (1959-61) and was working on the Old Testament in Rotuman at the time of his death in Suva.

The papers comprise: Diary of a visit to Rotuma, 1931; Notes on dealings with Resident Commissioner, Rotuma, 1931; Subsidiary documents re above; Rotuma letters, 1932-37; Rotuman beliefs and customs; Memorandum re Rotuma Cession Day celebrations, 1967; Copy of Ao Fo'ou, 12/5/67; Records of the Land Titles Commission, Rotuma, 1882-1883; Notes on Rotuman history and Rotuma Circuit (Methodist Mission) reports, 1921, 1924-28; Account by Mesulama Titifanua (Rotuman missionary) of sojourn in New Britain, 1927-28; Notes on conversation with Takalaigau, 1934.