Marjorie Matthews Papers
Joe Strausbaugh, Student Assistant and Mark C. Shenise, Associate Archivist
United Methodist Archives and History Center
General Commission on Archives and History of The United Methodist Church
12/16/2009
Overview of Collection
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| Record Creator: |
Matthews, Marjorie Swank |
| Title: |
Marjorie Matthews Papers |
| Date Span: |
1929-1996 |
| Abstract: |
Marjorie Swank Matthews (1916-1986), first female bishop consecrated in The United Methodist Church, was born circa July 11,
1916. She served as pastor of several charges in Michigan, New York, and Florida before becoming District Superintendent
of the Grand Traverse District of the West Michigan Annual Conference in 1976. Matthews was consecrated bishop by the North
Central Jurisdictional Conference in Dayton, Ohio on July 17, 1980. She was assigned to the Wisconsin Annual Conference where
she served for four years before retiring. This collection contains records of Matthews’ personal and ministerial life including
sermons, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and clerical stoles.
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| Extent: |
13.58 cubic feet |
| Resource ID: |
gcah.mss.gcah4999 |
Biographical Note
Marjorie Swank Matthews (1916-1986), first female bishop consecrated in The United Methodist Church, was born circa July 11,
1916 to Jess A. and Mae (Chapman) Swank. Before entering the ministry, Matthews was secretary and assistant treasurer for
an automotive parts corporation. Matthews began her ministry in 1959 at Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church in Michigan. She was
ordained as a local elder in 1965. Matthews also served Pleasant Valley-Leaton, Vermontville-Gresham, Sunfield-Sebewa Center,
Evart, Ashley-Bannister, and Napoleon Methodist charges, all in Michigan. While at seminary, Matthews served LeRoy and Barre
Center Presbyterian Churches in New York. Matthews was received as a Full Member into the West Michigan Conference in June
of 1969. In 1976, she was appointed District Superintendent of the Grand Traverse District. On July 17, 1980, Matthews was
elected United Methodism's first female bishop by the North Central Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church, she was appointed
to the Wisconsin Conference, where Matthews served until her retirement in 1984. Matthews was a champion of women’s issues
in the church and led many workshop for clergywomen and pastors’ wives.
Matthews had a considerable academic career. She was awarded a Bachelor of Arts from Central Michigan University in 1967
and a Bachelor of Divinity from Colgate Rochester Divinity School in 1970. Matthews received a Master of Arts in 1971 and
Doctorate in Philosophy in Humanities in 1976, both from Florida State University. Her doctoral dissertation was entitled
“Issues and Answers in the Book of Job and Joban Issues and Answers in Three Twentieth Century Writers: Carl Jung, Robert
Frost, and Archibald Macleish." Matthews had one son, William, and three grandchildren, Robbie, Lori, and Greg. She died
after a prolonged bout with cancer on June 30, 1986. Matthews is interred in the Alma Cemetery, Alma, Michigan.
Scope Note
This collection contains records of Matthews’ personal and ministerial life, understanding that these topics overlap. The
ministry series contains a sizeable compilation of Matthews’ sermons and bulletins as well as newspaper clippings detailing
ministerial milestones, particularly her appointment as district superintendent and her consecration as bishop. There are
also a significant number of congratulatory letters and other correspondence. Most of this series documents Matthews’ episcopacy.
The education series contains mostly course notes and term papers that are listed in chronologically order by semester.
The Women series constitutes mostly materials from workshops for women and women’s issues that Matthews led. The latter part
of the collection consists of family records, such as photographs, information on dolls, and genealogical papers. Also, artifacts
such as stoles, a clerical robe, pins, and Matthews’ copy of the 1980 Book of Discipline.
Arrangement
Materials have been arranged in the following manner.
Ministry
Local Church
District Superintendent
Episcopacy
Education
College
Seminary
Graduate School
Women
Family
Artifacts
Preferred Citation
When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder,
Marjorie Matthews Papers, United Methodist Church Archives - GCAH, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the items call
number as that is not a stable descriptor.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Restrictions on Use
Detailed use restrictions relating to our collections can be requested from the office of the archivist at the General Commission
on Archives and History. Photocopying is handled by the staff and may be limited in certain instances. Before using any material
for publication from this collection a formal request for permission to publish is expected and required.
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Subject Terms
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Subject Geographic |
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Florida |
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Michigan |
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Wisconsin |
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Subject Topics |
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Bishops |
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Clergy |
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District superintendents (Methodist) |
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Education, Higher |
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Ordination |
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Women clergy |
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Genre |
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Artifacts |
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Calendars |
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Certificates |
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Church bulletins |
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Clippings |
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Correspondence |
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Episcopal Addresses |
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Sermons |
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Audiocassettes |
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Subject - Corporate Names |
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United Methodist Church (U.S.) |
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Occupations |
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Minister |
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Bishop |
Series: Ministry
Sub-series: Local Church
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 1604-2-6:
1
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Local Preacher's License |
1957 |
| 1604-2-6:
2
|
Bulletins |
1966-1969 |
| 1604-2-6:
3
|
Bulletins |
1970 |
| 1604-2-6:
4
|
Bulletins |
1971 |
| 1604-2-6:
5
|
Bulletins |
1972-1973 |
| 1604-2-6:
6
|
Bulletins |
1974 |
| 1604-2-6:
7
|
Bulletins |
1975 |
| 1604-2-6:
8
|
Sermons |
Undated |
| 1604-2-6:
9
|
Sermons |
1966-1969 |
| 1604-2-6:
10
|
Sermons |
1970-1972 |
| 1604-2-6:
11
|
Sermons |
1973-1974 |
| 1604-2-6:
12
|
Sermons |
1975 |
| 1604-2-6:
13
|
Clippings |
1966-1969 |
| 1604-2-6:
14
|
Clippings |
1973 |
| 1604-2-6:
15
|
Clippings |
1975 |
| 1604-2-6:
16
|
Correspondence |
1969 |
| 1604-2-6:
17
|
Correspondence |
1970 |
| 1604-2-6:
18
|
Correspondence |
1972-1973 |
| 1604-2-6:
19
|
Correspondence |
1974-1975 |
| 1604-2-6:
20
|
Photos |
Undated |
| 1604-2-6:
21
|
Style Show Photo |
1963 |
| 1604-2-6:
22
|
Record Books |
1958-1980 |
| 1604-2-6:
23
|
Record Books |
1970-1973 |
Sub-series: District Superintendent
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 1604-2-7:
1
|
Bulletins |
1976-1979 |
| 1604-2-7:
2
|
Prayers |
1970-1975 |
| 1604-2-7:
5
|
Sermons |
1979-1980 |
| 1604-2-7:
6
|
Clippings |
1976-1979 |
| 1604-2-7:
8
|
Correspondence - Congratulatory |
1976 |
| 1604-2-7:
9
|
Correspondence - General |
1976-1980 |
| 1604-2-7:
10
|
Photographs |
1980 |
| 1604-2-7:
11
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Portraits |
Undated |
| 1604-2-7:
12
|
Daily Christian Advocate, Folder 1 |
1980 |
| 1604-2-7:
13
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Daily Christian Advocate, Folder 2 |
1980 |
| 1604-2-7:
14
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Daily Christian Advocate, Folder 3 |
1980 |
| 1604-2-7:
15
|
General and Jurisdictional Conferences |
1979-1980 |
| 1604-2-7:
16
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Preaching and Teaching Notes and Schedules |
1976-1982 |
| 1604-2-8:
1
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Commission on District Superintendency |
1975-1979 |
| 1604-2-8:
2
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Seminar, Colgate-Rochester Divinity School, March 24-26, 1980 |
1980 |
| 1604-2-8:
3
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Native American School |
1978-1979 |
| 1604-2-8:
4
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Trip to Egypt |
1979 |
| 1604-2-8:
5
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Rationale for Episcopacy |
1980 |
| 1603-5-5:
6
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Audiocassette - Christian Found in Egypt |
1979 |
| 1603-5-7:
5
|
CD - Christian Found in Egypt |
1979 |
Sub-series: Episcopacy
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 1604-2-8:
6
|
Bulletins |
1980 |
| 1604-2-8:
7
|
Bulletins |
1981 |
| 1604-2-8:
8
|
Bulletins |
1982 |
| 1604-2-8:
9
|
Bulletins |
1983 |
| 1603-3-1:
1
|
Bulletins |
1984 |
| 1603-3-2:
1
|
Clippings |
1980 |
| 1603-3-2:
2
|
Clippings |
1980 |
| 1603-3-2:
3
|
Clippings |
1981-1982 |
| 1603-3-2:
4
|
Clippings |
1983 |
| 1603-3-2:
5
|
Clippings |
1984 |
| 1603-3-2:
8
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Correspondence - Congratulatory |
1980 |
| 1603-3-2:
9
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Correspondence - General |
1980 |
| 1603-3-2:
10
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Correspondence - General |
1981 |
| 1603-3-3:
1
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Correspondence - General |
1982 |
| 1603-3-3:
2
|
Correspondence - General |
1983 |
| 1603-3-3:
3
|
Correspondence - General |
1984 |
| 1603-3-3:
6
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Correspondence - General Conference |
1984 |
| 1603-3-3:
8
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Photographs - Folder 2 |
1980-1984 |
| 1603-3-3:
9
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Photographs - Folder 3 |
1980-1984 |
| 1603-3-3:
10
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Photographs - Folder 4 |
1983 |
| 1603-3-4:
1
|
Portraits |
1980-1984 |
| 1603-3-4:
2
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Consecration Service Slides |
1980 |
| 1603-3-4:
4
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Memory Book |
1980 |
| 1603-3-4:
6
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Episcopal Seal |
1980 |
| 1603-3-4:
7
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General Conference |
1984 |
| 1603-3-4:
8
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General Conference - Daily Christian Advocate |
1984 |
| 1603-3-4:
9
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Jurisdictional Conference |
1984 |
| 1603-3-4:
10
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World Council of Churches Assembly |
1983 |
| 1603-3-4:
11
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State of the Church Address |
1982 |
| 1603-3-4:
13
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United Methodist Women Day, New York, NY |
1981 |
| 1603-3-4:
14
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United Methodist Heritage Fellowship |
1981 |
| 1603-3-4:
15
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Pastors' School, South Carolina Conference |
1981 |
| 1603-3-4:
16
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Pastors' School, West Ohio Conference |
1982 |
| 1603-3-4:
17
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Adult Bible Study |
1983 |
| 1603-3-4:
18
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Shalom Course |
1984 |
| 1603-3-5:
2
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Florida State University Courses |
1984 |
| 1603-3-5:
6
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Listing of Bishops |
1980 |
| 1603-3-5:
9
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Council of Bishops Executive Committee |
1983 |
| 1603-3-5:
10
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Conciliar Review Committee Report |
1984 |
| 1603-3-5:
11
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Planned Episcopal Transition Committee |
1980-1984 |
| 1603-3-5:
12
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London Conference |
1981 |
| 1603-3-6:
2
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Trip to Eastern Europe - Record Books |
1982 |
| 1603-3-6:
3
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Trip to Asia, Folder 1 |
1984 |
| 1603-3-6:
4
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Trip to Asia, Folder 2 |
1984 |
| 1603-3-7:
1
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Pre-Retirement Seminar |
1983 |
| 1603-3-7:
3
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New York Annual Conference |
1982 |
| 1603-3-7:
4
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Pacific-Southwest Conference Committee on Ministry Report |
1984 |
| 1603-3-7:
5
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Char Cowan Interview |
1984 |
| 1603-3-7:
8
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Interim Pastors Article |
1976-1980 |
| 1603-3-7:
10
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National Security and Defense |
1982 |
| 1603-3-6:
1
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Trip to Eastern Europe |
1982 |
| 1603-5-2:
1
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Religious Prints |
1980-1984 |
| 1603-5-2:
3
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Portrait |
Undated |
| 1603-5-2:
4
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Certificates - General Agencies |
1980-1984 |
| 1603-5-2:
5
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Certificates - Arkansas Traveler |
1983 |
| 1603-5-2:
6
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Certificates - Military |
1984 |
| 1603-5-2:
7
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Certificates - Colleges |
1980 |
| 1603-5-2:
9
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Certificates - Miscellaneous |
1981-1984 |
| 1603-5-2:
10
|
Book of Discipline |
1980 |
| 1603-5-2:
11
|
Brunner's "The Letter to the Romans " and Bible |
1960-1978 |
| 1603-5-1:
1
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Certificate of Episcopal Consecration |
1980 |
| 1604-4-5:
1
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Beta Tape - Dakota East and West |
1981 |
| 1604-4-5:
2
|
Beta Tape - A Lost History |
1984 |
| 1604-4-5:
3
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Beta Tape - Television Interview, Houston, TX |
1980 |
| 1603-5-4:
1
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Audiocassette - Bishop Loder |
1974 |
| 1603-5-4:
2
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Audiocassette - Pentecost Sunday |
1983 |
| 1603-5-4:
3
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Audiocassette - Morning Edition Interview with George Gallup |
1980 |
| 1603-5-4:
4
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Audiocassette - Bishop Marjorie Matthews Interview for Jubilee! 200 Years of American Methodism |
Undated |
| 1603-5-5:
8
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Audiocassette - Matthews' Farewell Celebration, Part II |
1980 |
| 1603-5-5:
7
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Audiocassette - Matthews' Farewell Celebration, Part I |
1980 |
| 1603-5-6:
2
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Microcassettes - Egypt, Bishop Samuel, and Disney World |
1980 |
| 1603-5-7:
2
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CD - Bishop Dwight Ellsworth Loder |
1974 |
| 1603-5-7:
8
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CD - Matthews Farewell Celebration Part 1 |
1980 |
| 1603-5-7:
9
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CD - Matthews Farewell Celebration Part 2 |
1980 |
| 1603-5-7:
10
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CD - NPR Morning Edition Interview with George Gallup Nocember 13, 1980 |
1980 |
| 1603-5-7:
11
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CD - Pentecost Sunday |
1983 |
| 1603-5-7:
12
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CD - Interview for Jubilee-200 Years of American Methodism |
1984 |
Series: Education
Sub-series: College
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 1604-3-1:
1
|
School Book |
1929 |
| 1604-3-1:
2
|
Guiding Intermediate Material |
1958 |
| 1604-3-1:
3
|
Supply Pastors' School |
1953-1960 |
| 1604-3-1:
4
|
Supply Pastors' School |
1957 |
| 1604-3-1:
5
|
Supply Pastors' School |
1958 |
| 1604-3-1:
6
|
Supply Pastors' School |
1959 |
| 1604-3-1:
7
|
Supply Pastors' School |
1960 |
| 1604-3-1:
8
|
Supply Pastors' School |
1961 |
| 1604-3-1:
9
|
Supply Pastors' School |
1962 |
| 1604-3-1:
10
|
Supply Pastors' School |
1963 |
| 1604-3-1:
11
|
Supply Pastors' School |
1964 |
| 1604-3-2:
1
|
Fall 1964 |
1964 |
| 1604-3-2:
2
|
Spring 1965 |
1965 |
| 1604-3-2:
3
|
Fall 1965 |
1965 |
| 1604-3-2:
4
|
Spring 1966 |
1966 |
| 1604-3-2:
5
|
Fall 1966 |
1966 |
| 1604-3-2:
6
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Spring 1967 |
1967 |
| 1604-3-2:
7
|
Freshman Composition |
1963-1964 |
| 1604-3-2:
8
|
Bible as Literature |
1964 |
| 1604-3-2:
9
|
Shakespeare |
1964 |
| 1604-3-2:
10
|
Intermediate German |
1964-1965 |
| 1604-3-2:
11
|
Advanced Composition |
1965 |
| 1604-3-3:
1
|
American Literature |
1965 |
| 1604-3-3:
2
|
English Literature |
1965 |
| 1604-3-3:
3
|
World Literature |
1965 |
| 1604-3-3:
4
|
Honors Courses |
1965-1966 |
| 1604-3-3:
5
|
Church Music |
1966 |
| 1604-3-3:
6
|
Contemporary American Literature |
1966 |
| 1604-3-3:
7
|
German Literature |
1966 |
| 1604-3-3:
8
|
The American Novel |
1966 |
| 1604-3-3:
9
|
Radio and Television Speech |
1966 |
| 1604-3-3:
11
|
Biology |
1966-1967 |
| 1604-3-3:
12
|
Abnormal Psychology |
1967 |
| 1604-3-3:
13
|
Grade Reports and Other Administrative Papers |
1964-1967 |
| 1604-3-3:
14
|
Miscellaneous Notes |
1961-1965 |
| 1604-3-3:
15
|
Junior Class Dance Committee |
1967-1968 |
Sub-series: Seminary
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 1604-3-4:
1
|
Church History of the United States |
1967 |
| 1604-3-4:
3
|
Old Testament |
1967 |
| 1604-3-4:
4
|
Religion and Personality |
1967 |
| 1604-3-4:
5
|
Biblical Hebrew |
1968 |
| 1604-3-4:
6
|
New Testament |
1968 |
| 1604-3-4:
7
|
Old Testament |
1968 |
| 1604-3-4:
8
|
Reformation |
1968 |
| 1604-3-5:
1
|
Religion and Culture |
1968 |
| 1604-3-5:
2
|
Advanced Hebrew |
1968 |
| 1604-3-5:
3
|
Christian Theology I |
1968 |
| 1604-3-5:
4
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Faith and History in the Old Testament |
1968 |
| 1604-3-5:
5
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Christian Theology II |
1969 |
| 1604-3-5:
6
|
Church and World |
1969 |
| 1604-3-6:
1
|
Hebrew Studies |
1969 |
| 1604-3-6:
2
|
Methodism |
1969 |
| 1604-3-6:
3
|
New Testament Greek |
1969 |
| 1604-3-6:
4
|
Pastoral Care |
1969 |
| 1604-3-6:
6
|
Ugaritic |
1969 |
| 1604-3-7:
2
|
Transcript and Grade Reports |
1967-1969 |
| 1604-3-7:
3
|
Dialogues |
1968 |
| 1604-3-7:
4
|
Ad Hoc Committee on Campus Disorder |
1965-1969 |
| 1604-3-7:
1
|
Miscellaneous Notes |
1967 |
Sub-series: Graduate School
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 1604-3-7:
5
|
Graduate Record Examination Scores and Certificate of Admission |
1967-1970 |
| 1604-3-7:
6
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Ancient Near Eastern History |
1970 |
| 1604-3-7:
7
|
Modern Judaism |
1970 |
| 1604-3-7:
8
|
The Bible as Literature |
1971 |
| 1604-3-7:
9
|
Dead Sea Scrolls |
1971 |
| 1604-3-7:
10
|
Judaism and Islam |
1971 |
| 1604-3-7:
11
|
Phenomenology of Religion |
1971 |
| 1604-3-7:
12
|
Religion and Ethics |
1971 |
| 1604-3-7:
13
|
Renaissance |
1971 |
| 1604-3-8:
1
|
Old Testament |
1971 |
| 1604-3-8:
2
|
Mythology |
1971 |
| 1604-3-8:
3
|
American Literature |
1971 |
| 1604-3-8:
4
|
Classical Period |
1971 |
| 1604-3-8:
5
|
Greek Art |
1971 |
| 1604-3-8:
6
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Greek and Roman Epic |
1971 |
| 1604-3-8:
7
|
Master of Arts Thesis |
1971 |
| 1604-3-8:
8
|
20th Century Islam |
1972 |
| 1604-3-8:
9
|
20th Century Poetry |
1972 |
| 1604-3-8:
10
|
Electronic Music |
1972 |
| 1604-3-8:
11
|
Freud and Culture |
1972 |
| 1604-3-8:
12
|
Greek - Medieval Background |
1972 |
| 1604-3-8:
13
|
Hellenistic History |
1972 |
| 1604-3-8:
14
|
Messiahship |
1972 |
| 1604-3-8:
15
|
Role of Artist |
1972 |
| 1604-3-8:
16
|
Roman Art |
1972 |
| 1604-3-8:
17
|
Miscellaneous Notes |
1972 |
| 1603-4-1:
1
|
Dissertation Prospectus |
1973 |
| 1603-4-1:
2
|
Dissertation Notes |
1974 |
| 1603-4-1:
3
|
Dissertation |
1976 |
Series: Women
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 1603-3-7:
12
|
Bulletins |
1982 |
| 1603-3-7:
13
|
Sermons and Notes |
1981 |
| 1603-3-7:
15
|
Publications, Folder 1 |
1968-1981 |
| 1603-3-7:
16
|
Publications, Folder 2 |
1976-1984 |
| 1603-3-7:
17
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COSROW - Application for Executive Director |
1972-1973 |
| 1603-3-7:
18
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COSROW - Application for Executive Director |
1976-1983 |
| 1603-3-8:
1
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COSROW, North Arkansas Conference |
1982 |
| 1603-3-8:
2
|
COSROW, North Indiana Conference |
1981 |
| 1603-3-8:
3
|
COSROW, North Texas Conference |
1983 |
| 1603-3-8:
4
|
Ministers' Wives Retreats |
1977-1981 |
| 1603-3-8:
5
|
Consultation of United Methodist Clergywomen |
1978 |
| 1603-3-8:
7
|
Women's History Project, Holston Conference |
1982 |
| 1603-3-8:
8
|
United Methodist Women, Wisconsin Conference |
1984 |
| 1603-3-8:
11
|
Women - General |
1976-1983 |
Series: Family
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 1603-4-1:
4
|
Identification Cards |
1942-1983 |
| 1603-4-1:
5
|
Biographical Information |
1969-1980 |
| 1603-4-1:
6
|
Curriculum Vitae |
1973-1984 |
| 1603-4-1:
7
|
Family Photographs |
1981 |
| 1603-4-1:
8
|
Family - General |
1962-1983 |
| 1603-4-1:
12
|
Dolls - Photographs |
1983 |
| 1603-5-5:
1
|
Audiocassette - Christmas Morning |
1977 |
| 1603-5-5:
3
|
Audiocassette - Christmas 1978 |
1978 |
| 1603-5-5:
2
|
Audiocassette - Christmas 1975 |
1975 |
| 1603-5-5:
4
|
Audiocassette - Christmas 1979, Part I |
1979 |
| 1603-5-5:
5
|
Audiocassette - Christmas 1979, Part II |
1979 |
| 1603-5-7:
1
|
CD - Christmas 1973 |
1973 |
| 1603-5-7:
3
|
CD - Family Christmas Part 1 |
1978 |
| 1603-5-7:
4
|
CD - Family Christmas Part 2 |
1978 |
| 1603-5-7:
6
|
CD - Family Christmas Part 1 |
1979 |
| 1603-5-7:
7
|
CD - Family Christmas Part 2 |
1979 |
Series: Artifacts
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 1603-4-2:
4
|
Stole, Episcopal |
1982 |
| 1604-4-1:
5
|
General Conference Pin |
1976 |
| 1604-4-1:
10
|
United Methodist/Olympics Pin |
1984 |
| 1604-4-1:
13
|
Christian-Jewish Relations Workshop Pin |
1981 |
| 1604-4-1:
17
|
North Central Jurisdictional Conference Pin |
1976 |
| 1604-4-1:
18
|
North Central Jurisdictional Conference Pin |
1980 |
| 1604-4-1:
19
|
West Michigan Pin |
Undated |
| 1604-4-1:
20
|
Christian-Jewish Relations Workshop Pin |
1981 |
