Electronic Guide to the Charles Coolidge Parlin Papers
Prepared by Meghan Chapuran, Student Assistant, Robert Drew Simpson, Assistant Archivist, Robert Drew Simpson, Assistant
Archivist and Mark C. Shenise, Associate Archivist
United Methodist Archives and History Center
General Commission on Archives and History of The United Methodist Church
2017-05-30
Overview of Collection
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| Record Creator: |
Parlin, Charles Coolidge |
| Title: |
Charles Coolidge Parlin Papers |
| Date Span: |
1934-1968 |
| Abstract: |
Charles Coolidge Parlin was a lawyer and influential layperson in United Methodism during the twentieth century. He was a
member of a number of important commissions and committees for the church which included the 1968 merger between the Methodist
Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. During the McCarthy era Parlin gained considerable attention when he counseled
Bishop G. Bromley Oxnam in a hearing before the U.S. House Un-American Activities Committee and its investigation. Parlin
also served as President of the World Methodist Council and had a leading role in the establishment of the National and World
Council of Churches. The records reflect his work with the 1968 church merger and the Bishop Oxnam hearing.
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| Extent: |
8.18 cubic feet |
| Resource ID: |
gcah.ms.668 |
Biographical Note
Charles Coolidge Parlin, an American lawyer and business executive, was an important Methodist layman. He was born July 22,
1898 in Wausau, Wisconsin, the son of Charles Coolidge and Daisy (Blackwood) Parlin. He was educated at the University of
Pennsylvania and received the LL.B. degree at Harvard Law School in 1922. During World War I he served in the U.S. Army as
a private.
In 1923, Parlin was admitted to the New York Bar, practicing law in New York City with the Wall Street firm of Shearman and
Sterling. Through the years he served on the boards of a number of major corporations, was the chief counsel of the First
National City Bank and was an authority on taxation. He was president of the United States and Foreign Securities Corporation
and served for a time as president of the Celanese Corporation.
Parlin was thought by some to be one of the most important Methodist laymen in the history of the American Methodist Church.
He was a member of successive General Conferences in 1940, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, and 1970. In the immediate post-World
War II period he took a leading role in the establishment of the National and World Council of Churches. Long a supporter
of the World Methodist Council, he was elected president in 1970. His roles were many in the work of the larger church. He
was secretary of the Commission on Church Union, 1948-64; chair of the Committee to Study the Jurisdictional System, 1956-60;
on the Ad Hoc Committee on the Union with the Evangelical and United Brethren Church in 1964, at which General Conference
and its adjourned session in 1966 he presented the report of the Committee calling for union. He was a member of the General
Board of the National Council of Churches and its first vice president from 1958-1961. He was chair of the U.S.A. committee
which raised the money for the founding of the World Council of Churches. From 1962 to 1968 he was one of the presidents
of the World Council.
During the McCarthy era Parlin gained considerable attention when he counseled Bishop G. Bromley Oxnam in a hearing before
the U.S. House Un-American Activities Committee and its investigation of communist influence in the U.S.
Parlin's interests were many. Among them was his chairmanship of the committee to restore Wesley's Chapel in London, securing
over $1 million dollars. His own personal gifts were significant in developing the program of the World Methodist Council.
Through his own Epworth Foundation he helped more than one hundred young people, many from minority groups and developing
nations, obtain an education. He was a trustee of American University, Bethune-Cookman College, Drew University, Union Theological
Seminary in New York, Wesley Seminary in Washington, D.C. and North Central College. Honorary degrees were awarded him by
a number of colleges and universities.
Charles Parlin was married twice. His first wife, Miriam Boyd of Philadelphia, was born 1924 and died 1972. Before their
marriage, she was a missionary to China. Three children were born of that marriage: Charles C. Jr., Blackwood B., and Camilla.
After Miriam's death, Parlin married Kaye Chiang. Together they had a step-daughter, Jean Chiang. Charles Parlin died on
November 15, 1981.
Scope Note
The papers consists of clippings, published transcripts, typed transcripts, reports, correspondence, memoranda, publications,
and pamphlets pertaining to the merger of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church. Additional extensive
material relates to Bishop Oxnam's hearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Un-American Activities, as well
as the Committee on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations.
The first series is comprised of correspondence, the bulk of which relates to the Inter-Jurisdictional Commission of the Methodist
Church. The work focused on the dissolution of the Central Jurisdiction and the merger of the Evangelical United Brethren
and the Methodist Churches. Some of this correspondence is of minor importance, but much of it reflects opinion and counter
opinion and proposals growing out of the subjects under consideration.
The second series is the major part of the collection and includes all the substantive minutes, reports, and legislative proposals
which emerged from the work of the Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations. This material is international in scope.
The third series is a two volume collection of Parlin’s speeches and addresses given to churches, schools, universities and
business groups. These volumes have been dissembled and organized in chronological order.
The fourth series is biographical in nature in so far as it includes articles, clippings, and statements reflecting Parlin's
wide and varied projects and interests.
The fifth series is a Book of Remembrance from the Drew University Collection. These letters and statements of appreciation
honor Parlin's achievements and contributions to the life of the church.
The sixth series is a substantial collection of articles, clippings and most importantly working documents regarding the hearings
of Bishop G. Bromley Oxnam before the U.S. House Un-American Activities. Parlin served as Oxnam’s counsel and strategist at
these hearings.
Arrangement
Materials have been arranged in the following manner.
Correspondence
Reports and Minutes
Speeches and Addresses
Bishop Garfield Bromley Oxnam Hearing Records
Articles, Clippings and Projects
Remembrances and Tributes
Preferred Citation
When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder,
Charles Coolidge Parlin Papers, United Methodist Church Archives - GCAH, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the item"s
call number as that is not a stable descriptor.
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions regarding this collection.
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Index Terms
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Subject Names - Personal |
|
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Oxnam, G. Bromley |
|
Subject Topics |
|
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Bishops |
|
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Church Merger |
|
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Evangelical United Brethren Church |
|
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Methodist Church |
|
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United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities. |
|
Genre |
|
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Articles |
|
|
Clippings |
|
|
Correspondence |
|
|
Legal documents |
|
|
Minutes |
|
|
Sound recordings |
|
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Speeches |
|
Occupations |
|
|
Lawyer |
|
Geographic Terms |
|
|
Netherlands |
|
|
United States |
|
Subject Names - Person |
|
|
Oxnam, Garfield Bromley |
|
Subject Names - Corporate Bodies |
|
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Evangelical United Brethren Church |
|
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Methodist Church (U.S.) |
|
|
United Methodist Church (U.S.) |
Series: Correspondence
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 1348-2-1:
1
|
Correspondence (August-April) |
1957-1958 |
| 1348-2-1:
2
|
Correspondence (May-October) |
1958-1959 |
| 1348-2-1:
3
|
Correspondence ( November-April) |
1959-1961 |
| 1348-2-1:
4
|
Correspondence |
1961 |
| 1348-2-1:
5
|
Correspondence (August-January) |
1962-1963 |
| 1348-2-1:
6
|
Correspondence (September-February) |
1963-1964 |
| 1348-2-1:
7
|
Correspondence |
1964 |
| 1348-2-1:
8
|
Correspondence (November-March) |
1964-1965 |
| 1348-2-1:
9
|
Correspondence |
1965 |
| 1348-2-1:
10
|
Correspondence (November-March) |
1965-1966 |
| 1348-2-1:
11
|
Correspondence |
1966 |
| 1348-2-1:
12
|
Correspondence (November-April) |
1966-1967 |
| 1348-2-1:
13
|
Correspondence (May-September) |
1967 |
| 1348-2-1:
14
|
Correspondence (April-October) |
1967-1968 |
| 1583-3-3:
3
|
Correspondence: Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations, March 1961 - March 1962 |
1961-1962 |
| 1583-3-3:
4
|
Correspondence: Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations, April - May |
1962 |
| 1583-3-3:
5
|
Correspondence: Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations, June - August |
1962 |
| 1583-3-3:
6
|
Correspondence: Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations, September - December |
1962 |
| 1583-3-4:
1
|
Correspondence: Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations |
1963-1964 |
| 1583-3-4:
2
|
Correspondence: Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations |
1963 |
| 1583-3-4:
3
|
Correspondence: Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations, February - October |
1960 |
| 1583-3-4:
4
|
Correspondence: Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations, November - December |
1960 |
| 1583-5-4:
1
|
A Charter of Racial Policies for the Women's Division of Christian Service |
1952 |
| 1583-5-4:
2
|
Central Jurisdiction Map |
1960 |
Series: Reports and Minutes
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 1348-2-1:
15
|
Reports (April-October) |
1956-1957 |
| 1348-2-1:
16
|
Reports |
1957 |
| 1348-2-1:
17
|
Reports |
1958 |
| 1348-2-1:
18
|
Reports (January-September) |
1959 |
| 1348-2-1:
19
|
Reports (October) |
1959 |
| 1348-2-2:
2
|
Reports (January-May) |
1961 |
| 1348-2-2:
3
|
Reports (June-December) |
1961 |
| 1348-2-2:
5
|
Reports (January-February) |
1963 |
| 1348-2-2:
6
|
Reports (April-May) |
1963 |
| 1348-2-2:
7
|
Reports (June-July) |
1963 |
| 1348-2-2:
8
|
Reports (August) |
1963 |
| 1348-2-2:
9
|
Reports (September-November) |
1963 |
| 1348-2-2:
10
|
Reports (December) |
1963 |
| 1348-2-2:
11
|
Reports |
1963 |
| 1348-2-2:
12
|
Reports (January-March) |
1964 |
| 1348-2-2:
13
|
Reports (April-June) |
1964 |
| 1348-2-2:
14
|
Reports (July-September) |
1964 |
| 1348-2-2:
15
|
Reports (October) |
1964 |
| 1348-2-2:
16
|
Reports (October) |
1964 |
| 1348-2-3:
1
|
Reports (November) |
1964 |
| 1348-2-3:
2
|
Reports (December) |
1964 |
| 1348-2-3:
4
|
Reports (January-February) |
1965 |
| 1348-2-3:
5
|
Reports (February) |
1965 |
| 1348-2-3:
6
|
Reports (February) |
1965 |
| 1348-2-3:
7
|
Reports (February-March) |
1965 |
| 1348-2-3:
8
|
Reports (March-April) |
1965 |
| 1348-2-3:
9
|
Reports (May) |
1965 |
| 1348-2-3:
10
|
Reports (June) |
1965 |
| 1348-2-3:
11
|
Reports (June) |
1965 |
| 1348-2-3:
12
|
Reports (June) |
1965 |
| 1348-2-3:
13
|
Reports (June) |
1965 |
| 1348-2-3:
14
|
Reports (July) |
1965 |
| 1348-2-3:
15
|
Reports (August) |
1965 |
| 1348-2-3:
16
|
Reports (August) |
1965 |
| 1348-2-3:
17
|
Reports (September) |
1965 |
| 1348-2-3:
18
|
Reports (September) |
1965 |
| 1348-2-3:
19
|
Reports (September) |
1965 |
| 1348-2-3:
20
|
Reports (October) |
1965 |
| 1348-2-3:
21
|
Reports (October) |
1965 |
| 1348-3-1:
1
|
Reports (November) |
1965 |
| 1348-3-1:
2
|
Reports (November-December) |
1965 |
| 1348-3-1:
4
|
Reports (January) |
1966 |
| 1348-3-1:
5
|
Reports (February) |
1966 |
| 1348-3-1:
6
|
Reports (April-August) |
1966 |
| 1348-3-1:
7
|
Reports (September) |
1966 |
| 1348-3-1:
8
|
Reports (October-November) |
1966 |
| 1348-3-1:
9
|
Reports (November-December) |
1966 |
| 1348-3-1:
10
|
Reports (No Date) |
1966 |
| 1348-3-1:
11
|
Reports (January) |
1967 |
| 1348-3-1:
12
|
Reports (February-June) |
1967 |
| 1348-3-1:
13
|
Reports (July-September) |
1967 |
| 1348-3-1:
14
|
Reports (October-December) |
1967 |
| 1348-3-1:
15
|
Reports (No Date) |
1967 |
| 1348-3-1:
16
|
Reports (January-May) |
1968 |
| 1583-3-1:
1
|
Records of the Joint Commission on Church Union |
1968 |
| 1583-3-1:
2
|
Records of the Joint Commission on Church Union, Volume I Folder 1 |
1967 |
| 1583-3-1:
3
|
Records of the Joint Commission on Church Union, Volume I Folder 2 |
1967 |
| 1583-3-1:
4
|
Records of the Joint Commission on Church Union, Volume I Folder 3 |
1967 |
| 1583-3-1:
5
|
Records of the Joint Commission on Church Union, Volume II Folder 1 |
1967 |
| 1583-3-1:
6
|
Records of the Joint Commission on Church Union, Volume II Folder 2 |
1967 |
| 1583-3-2:
1
|
The First Assembly of the World Council of Churches: Booklets |
1948-1962 |
| 1583-3-2:
2
|
The First Assembly of the World Council of Churches: Amsterdam, Folder 1 |
1948 |
| 1583-3-2:
3
|
The First Assembly of the World Council of Churches: Amsterdam, Folder 2 |
1948 |
| 1583-3-2:
4
|
Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations, January 25 1963 |
1963 |
| 1583-3-2:
5
|
Commission for Study and Action of the Jurisdictional System |
1959-1961 |
| 1583-3-2:
6
|
Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations: Cincinnati Exploratory Meeting March 26-28, 1962 |
1961-1962 |
| 1583-3-3:
1
|
Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations |
1958-1963 |
| 1583-3-3:
2
|
Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations: Abolition |
1962-1964 |
| 1583-3-4:
5
|
Committee of the Northeastern Jurisdictional Representatives |
1961 |
| 1583-3-4:
6
|
Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations: Analysis and Suggestions |
1961 |
| 1583-3-4:
7
|
Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations: Documents, Folder 1 |
1961-1962 |
| 1583-3-4:
8
|
Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations: Documents, Folder 2 |
1960-1963 |
Series: Speeches and Addresses
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 1348-3-1:
17
|
Volume1 Speeches 1-10 |
1944-1960 |
| 1348-3-1:
18
|
Volume I Speeches 11-20 |
1960-1963 |
| 1348-3-1:
19
|
Volume I Speeches 21-30 |
1963 |
| 1348-3-1:
20
|
Volume 2 Speeches 31-45 |
1963-1969 |
| 1348-3-1:
21
|
Volume 2 Speeches 46-52 |
1969-1970 |
| 1348-3-1:
22
|
Volume 2 Speeches 53-63 |
1970-1979 |
Series: Bishop Garfield Bromley Oxnam Hearing Records
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 1348-3-2:
21
|
Sample Questions Used in Preparation for the Hearings |
1953 |
| 1348-3-2:
22
|
Oxnam Hearing Records |
Undated |
| 1348-3-2:
23
|
Statements by Oxnam and Rep. Velde |
Undated |
| 1348-3-2:
24
|
Work Sheet; Rules of Procedure |
Undated |
| 1348-3-2:
25
|
House Committee File Dissected and Oxnam Response to Charges |
Undated |
| 1348-3-2:
26
|
Pamphlets and Articles by Oxnam |
Undated |
| 1348-3-2:
27
|
Material from American Jewish Congregation |
Undated |
| 1348-3-2:
28
|
Office Memoranda |
Undated |
| 1348-3-2:
29
|
Newpaper and Magazine Comments |
Undated |
| 1348-3-2:
30
|
Memo to Investment Committee |
Undated |
| 1348-3-2:
31
|
Statements to House Sub-Committee |
Undated |
| 1348-3-2:
32
|
Typed Manuscript of Hearings |
Undated |
| 1348-3-2:
33
|
Congressional Record report of Hearings July 21,1953 Part 1-4 May 4-7 |
1953 |
| 1348-3-2:
34
|
Congressional Record Part 5-8 July 5-14 |
1953 |
| 1348-3-2:
35
|
Congressional Record of Hearings July 21 |
1953 |
| 1348-3-2:
36
|
Clippings and Photos of Hearing |
Undated |
| 1348-3-3:
1
|
Correspondence and Statements |
1934-1953 |
| 1348-3-3:
2
|
Correspondence and Statements |
1953 |
| 1348-3-3:
3
|
Correspondence and Statements |
1954 |
| 1348-3-3:
4
|
Oxnam Hearing Records |
Undated |
| 1348-3-3:
5
|
Miscellaneous Articles and Statements |
Undated |
| 1348-3-3:
6
|
Roman Catholic Response |
Undated |
| 1348-3-3:
7
|
Investigation of Clergy Regarding Pro-CommunistActivity |
Undated |
| 1348-3-3:
8
|
News Clippings: Church and Communism Mostly Roman CatholicSources |
1949 |
| 1348-3-3:
9
|
News Clippings: Church and Communism Mostly Roman CatholicSources |
1949 |
| 1348-3-3:
10
|
News Clippings: Church and Communism Mostly Roman CatholicSources |
1949 |
| 1348-3-3:
11
|
News Clippings: Church and Communism Mostly Roman CatholicSources |
1950-1953 |
| 1348-3-3:
12
|
Audio Tapes of Oxnam Hearings: 3 Tapes - 1 reel to reel and 2 cassettes |
Undated |
Series: Articles, Clippings and Projects
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 1348-3-2:
1
|
Articles and Publications |
1958-1964 |
| 1348-3-2:
2
|
Articles and Publications |
1965 |
| 1348-3-2:
3
|
Articles and Publications |
1966-1967 |
| 1348-3-2:
4
|
Articles and Publications |
undated |
| 1348-3-2:
5
|
Ecumenism |
1962-1966 |
| 1348-3-2:
6
|
Clippings |
1963-1968 |
| 1348-3-2:
7
|
Consultation on Church Union |
1962-1965 |
| 1348-3-2:
8
|
Corporate Director |
Undated |
| 1348-3-2:
9
|
Honors |
Undated |
| 1348-3-2:
10
|
National Council of Churches |
1956-1964 |
| 1348-3-2:
11
|
Photographs |
1965 |
| 1348-3-2:
12
|
Trustees |
Undated |
| 1348-3-2:
13
|
Untitled Papers |
Undated |
| 1348-3-2:
14
|
Wesley Chapel Restoration |
Undated |
| 1348-3-2:
15
|
Wesley Oak Project |
1955 |
| 1348-3-2:
16
|
Wesley Oak Project |
1955 |
| 1348-3-2:
17
|
World Council of Churches Articles,Clippings,etc. |
Undated |
| 1348-3-2:
18
|
World Council of Churches |
Undated |
| 1348-3-2:
19
|
World Methodist Council |
Undated |
Series: Remembrances and Tributes
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 1348-3-2:
20
|
Remembrances Regarding Charles C. Parlin |
1985 |
