Found 37 collections related to African American clergy

Father Divine (aka George Baker) was an African American religious leader and founder of the Peace Mission movement. The Father Divine collection consists primarily of material related to the broadcasting of Father Divine's sermons and messages over two radio stations. less

The Wynn family, consisting of the Reverend Robert Daniel Wynn, his wife Rosie D. Wynn, and their daughter, Cora, lived in New York City and Newark, New Jersey. Reverend Wynn was the pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church from 1885 until 1902, during the period the church was located in Greenwich Village, New York City. He later pastored at Bethany Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, where he remained until his death in 1921. His daughter, Cora, was a pianist and performed in a number of recitals both before and after her marriage, when she was also known as Cora Wynn Alexander. The Wynn Family collection contains a small amount of material representing two members of this family. Rev. Robert D. Wynn's documents consist of a program celebrating the 90th anniversary of the founding of Abyssinian Baptist Church (1898); lyrics for a song he wrote, "I Would Live Longer"; and a program from Newark's Bethany Baptist Church (1907). Cora Wynn Alexander is represented by a letter written to her by a missionary friend in Cape Town, South Africa (1898), and several programs for music recitals, a few for which she performed. There are fifteen legal documents for property that the family owned in various locations in New Jersey (1919-1927). less

The Theophilus G. Steward research collection includes correspondence regarding Professor Seraile's research compiled for his biography Voice of Dissent: Theophilus Gould Steward (1843-1924) and Black America. The correspondence includes letters to Steward's descendants, other individuals, and repositories. Additionally, there is research material that he gathered from a number of institutions and the second draft of the manuscript. less

The J. Alfred Smith, Sr. Papers primarily document Smith's roles as author, pastor of the Allen Baptist Temple Church (ATBC) and his activities with the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc (PNBC) as well as other church organizations. Over half of the papers document Smith's career during the 1970s and '80s as pastor of ATBC and president of the PNBC. Smith's papers include very little documentation on his career and professional activities during the 1950s and '60s, his vice presidency and presidency of the Progressive State Baptist Convention of California and Nevada headquartered in Los Angeles, or his first and second vice presidencies of the PNBC. less

The John J. Hicks collection consists primarily of printed materials. The bulk of the material relates to the celebration of Rev. Hicks's 10th anniversary as pastor of St. Mark's United Methodist Church. In addition, the collection contains some of his sermons, reflections, religious essays, and prayers, as well as correspondence and letters from the period during which he was the president of Local School Board 6. Brochures and programs documenting Hick's work and honoring him comprise the rest of the collection. There is also a booklet, Reflections, which was a memorial tribute to Hicks's wife, Pollie; included in the booklet are five letters from Mrs. Hicks to each of her children. less

Henry C. Bunton's papers consist of personal papers, writings, chaplaincy records, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church records, and correspondence. These papers principally document Bunton's role as a bishop with the C.M.E. Church. Church records consist of copies of sermons, office files, correspondence, denominational records, pamphlets and related material from his years in the ministry. Denominational records include correspondence with other bishops from the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church such as J. Claude Allen, Norris S. Curry, Chester Kirkendoll, Elisha P. Murchison, P. Randolph Shy, and P. Julian Smith regarding plans for meetings, annual conferences, expansion of the church and other church activities. There is also correspondence with individual pastors, and officers from the many member churches in Bunton's district regarding requests for assignments and transfers, securing property and other church business, as well as financial reports. Among the churches represented are Israel Metropolitan Church in Greenville, South Carolina; Mount Olive Cathedral in Memphis, Tennessee; and Russell Memorial Church in Durham, North Carolina. less

Edward Demby was the first black Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church, his wife Antoinette M. Demby was a member of the first graduating class of nurses from Howard University's Freedmen's Hospital. Bishop Demby's collection, 1893-1957, consists of an autobiographical sketch, correspondence, 1930s-1950s sermons and scrapbooks of printed material including a golden anniversary scrapbook. Mrs. Demby's collection consists of a journal, 1901-1955, personal papers and several notebooks kept by her while a nursing student. less

The DuPree African-American Pentecostal and Holiness Collection was compiled by Sherry Sherrod DuPree during research for her "Biographical Dictionary of African-American Holiness Pentecostals" (Washington, D.C.: Middle Atlantic Regional Press, 1989). Mrs. DuPree is a research librarian at Santa Fe Community College, Gainesville, Florida, a member of the Church of God in Christ, and the author of "Exposed!!! Federal Bureau of Investigation Unclassified Reports on Churches and Church Leaders" and "African-American Good News (Gospel) Music" (both Washington, D.C.: Middle Atlantic Regional Press, 1993). The DuPree African-American Pentecostal and Holiness Collection consists of original and secondary material documenting the history, beliefs, and activities of hundreds of Pentecostal and Holiness denominations, congregations, and individuals. The collection is arranged in four series: Denomination and Congregations, Individual Clergy and Evangelists, Subject Files, and Non-Pentecostal Material, and consists of news clippings, newsletters, journals, yearbooks, sermons, bulletins, brochures, programs, articles, theses, book excerpts, and other printed material. There is virtually no correspondence. less

The Llewellyn L. Berry Collection consists of personal papers including certificates and passport; a sermon and list of text and subjects preached by Rev. Berry from 1921 until 1936; and A.M.E. Church reports (1933-1947). There are also news clippings and articles about Rev. Berry, funeral programs, tributes, and printed matter. less

The Andrew J. Chambers papers consist primarily of letters Chambers received that provide an account of his activities on behalf of the Richard Allen Monument, his attempt to secure congressional passage of a bill to establish a commission to study African-American life, and related efforts. Additionally, there is a scrapbook containing letters regarding the construction of the Allen Monument, pledges of support, and acceptances to attend the unveiling, 1874- 1876. There are also testimonials from several prominent African Americans, including Fredrick Douglass and Henry Highland Garnett, and a petition signed by Mifflin W. Gibbs, Garnett, Robert Brown Elliott, John Mercer Langston, William Grant Still, Henry McNeal Turner, and James T. Rapier on behalf of the Allen Monument. Also included are a drawing of the monument and a map of the park. The second part of the scrapbook contains letters in support of the Colored Commission bill from President Chester A. Arthur, congressmen and other officials, 1877-1881. less

George Weston papers consist of correspondence, writings, printed material, and clippings concerning his career, theology, and politics. One folder pertains to the Pro-Lad Paint company (Africa's Shadow Type Progressive Ladder Paint, Ltd.) and a paint to be made in Antigua especially for tropical climates. Biographical article on Weston by Lionel M. Yard, 1975, and sheet music and words by Weston for "Climbing Africa's Ladder." The Maudelle Weston series include programs and clippings pertaining to Mrs. Weston's career as a dancer during the 1940s-1960s. less

The Will Herzfeld Papers are divided into Personal Papers, Correspondence, and materials related to Herzfeld's clerical as well as secular professional activities. Personal Papers includes schedules, invitations, press relases and news clippings by and about Reverend Herzfeld, information about the Tuscaloosa boycott, and three speeches, 1964-1989. The bulk of correspondence is administrative and business in nature, and primarily between Herzfeld and Lutheran bodies, 1967-1984. The material in the series Professional Activities--Clerical, consists of memorial and anniversary journals of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, church programs and bulletins of forums in which Herzfeld participated and material regarding the 1988 merger of the three Lutheran churches. The contents of the series, Professional Activities--Secular, encompass programs of secular forums in which he took part, as well as a final communique, press statement, draft appeal, schedule, and report on the meeting of youth and students from the International Conference-Dialogue for Disarmament and Detente. less

The records of Zoar United Methodist Church are divided into four series: Delaware Conference; Delaware-Philadelphia District; Zoar United Methodist Church; and St. John's Church, Spring Lake, New Jersey. The Zoar Methodist Church series, largest of the four, is divided into seven subseries: history, vital records, organizational records, pastors, financial, legal, and bulletins and miscellaneous printed material. less

The Wentworth A. Matthew collection relates primarily to the financial and real estate concerns of Rabbi Matthew and the Commandment Keepers. Included are deeds, contracts, architectural drawings, and invoices for property purchased in Wyandanch and Babylon, Long Island, where Matthew intended to establish a resident community. Also included are insurance policies for property leased by the congregation in Brooklyn and Manhattan. There are also personal insurance policies for Rabbi Matthew as well as correspondence and wills deeding property to Rabbi Matthew and the synagogue. Of interest are a 1931 letter from Rabbi Arnold J. Ford, musical director of Marcus Garvey's UNIA, to Matthew discussing the latter's certificate of ordination and urging him to encourage Black Jews to settle in Ethiopia. Matthew's death certificate from Harlem Hospital and letters to his daughter are included in the collection. less

Raphael Philemon Powell, a minister and native of Jamaica, served at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Harlem. He received his preacher's license and certificate of ordination in the 1950s, and a doctorate of divinity degree from the American Bible College and Manhattan Bible Institute in 1972. Powell wrote six books, which he distributed through his own publishing company, Philemon. Topics for his books include Black history, race identity, and religion. Powell died in New York in 1995, at the age of 96. The Raphael Philemon Powell papers encompass personal and pastoral papers, professional and legal papers, manuscripts, songs, and poems. Drafts of his unpublished and published writings form the bulk of this collection. Included are manuscripts for three of Powell's books Human Side of a People and the Right Name... (ca. 1937), The Invisible Image Uprooted (ca. 1979), and The Prayer for Freedom: A Memorial of the Prayer Pilgrimage (1957). Among the titles of his unpublished manuscripts in the collection are "The Dry Years Addict"; "Biography of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr."; "The Neglected Remedy for Addicts"; and "Who Are You? The Misuse of the Word Black". There is also original music and lyrics for songs composed by Powell. less

Born in 1901 in Blackstone, Virginia, Reverend John Milton Coleman became the first African American appointed to the New York City Board of Education. In 1933, Coleman succeeded Reverend C. Peterson Boyd as the rector of St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, New York. A decade later, he became the first African American appointed to the Executive Board of the National Council of St. Andrew of the Episcopal Church. In 1958, New York City Mayor O'Dwyer appointed Coleman to the New York City Board of Education and he was subsequently reappointed to the board by Mayor Wagner, but had to resign after three years due to ill health. He died in 1961. There are nine unbound scrapbooks documenting Coleman's achievements throughout his career. The scrapbooks contain minutes, newspaper clippings, letters, certificates, speeches, reports, press releases, and newsletters primarily related to his work outsite of his pastorate with St. Philip's Episcopal Church. Of special interest are scrapbooks four and nine. Scrapbook four contains letters to Coleman as a member of the Police Brutality Investigation Committee. Scrapbook nine contains a report by the New York City Board of Education Commission on Integration. The report contains a list of members, a questionnaire, and a resolution for action. There are also subcommission reports on zoning, teachers' assignments, personnel, and community relations. less

The Rev. Dr. Nathan Wright, Jr., an Episcopal minister and scholar, was an early and prominent advocate of Black power. The Nathan Wright papers reflect his numerous interests and endeavors in the fields of religion, Black power, education, and race relations. less

Sandy F. Ray (1898-1979) was a former pastor of the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York, from 1944 to 1979. Other pastorates he held were at First Baptist Church in LaGrange, Georgia; First Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia; St. Luke in Chicago; and Shiloh Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio. Ray served as president of the Empire Missionary Baptist Convention, N.Y.S., Inc., 1954-1979; the first vice-president of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc., 1968-1979; and the first elected African American state legislator of the 95th General Assembly in Franklin County, Ohio (1943-1944). Ray authored the book, Journeying through a Jungle (1979), which is a collection of his sermons. He was also the first elected African American state legislator of the 95th General Assembly in Franklin County, Ohio (1943-1944). The Sandy F. Ray papers consist of handwritten sermons and messages prepared for the ministers' seminar delivered by Ray at the National Baptist Sunday School and Baptist Training Union Congress in Chattanooga, Tennessee; Miami, Florida; Dallas, Texas; Birmingham, Alabama; and San Francisco, California. less

Archie Smith, Jr. was the James and Clarice Foster Professor of Pastoral Psychology and Counseling at PSR and the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, California until 2011. The Archie Smith Jr. Papers document Smith's career as a pastor, scholar, and counselor and reflect his interest in placing individual and family experiences within the context of larger social, cultural, and spiritual systems. less

Principally sermons, together with speeches, biographies of distinguished Afro-Americans, and personal papers including two journals, one kept while he was ministering in Bermuda, 1889-1892, and the other while on a trip to England in 1891 to raise funds for a school in Bermuda. less

The Hiram Revels collection consists principally of a scrapbook of news clippings and biographical articles on Revels. The scrapbook (1870-1893) discusses Revels as a senator, pastor of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and president of Alcorn University; describes local events; and contains homilies and miscellany. There are also some letters written to Revels and a couple of programs and invitations. The collection also includes several letters Revels wrote to his family (1870-1900); a biographical sketch written about him in the first person which appears to have been written by his daughter, Susie; a typescript of an obituary of Revels; and legal papers regarding settlement of his estate. There are also letters soliciting information about Revels from Hermann R. Muelder of Knox College, who planned to write an article about Revels. Obituaries of his daughter, Susie Revels Cayton, complete the collection. less

Clergyman, author and educator. Steward became a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1861 and served congregations in Macon, Georgia, Brooklyn, New York, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Delaware, Washington, D. C., and Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He was also the chaplain for the 25th Infantry where he served in the Philippine Islands and Cuba. In 1907 he joined the faculty of Wilberforce University, with which he was associated until his death, serving as vice-president, chaplain and professor of history, French and logic. Correspondence, writings, deeds, documents related to the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and journals. The journals constitute the largest section of the papers and cover his early years in the ministry in Georgia (1868-71), Haiti (1873), where he established a church in Port-au-Prince, and Philadelphia (1880s); his chaplaincy in Ft. Missoula and the Philippine Islands (1890s); and his years at Wilberforce University (1907-24). The journals contain a variety of items and are not arranged chronologically: drafts of sermons, essays, speeches; accounting notes; lecture notes and course notes. Two journals record marriages, baptisms and funerals performed by him in the Philippines. The correspondence includes letters to Steward from his children, Frank, Charles, Theophilus Bolden, Gustavus, his brother William and a letter from John W. Cromwell. less