Research Guides: African American Studies Archival Collections: Theology

Archival Collections

The collections below can be viewed by appointment; see each description for the library to contact.

Ernest T. Dixon, Jr. Papers, 1900-1996
Documents the life of the first African American bishop to serve the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. Held at Bridwell Library.
Collection on the Central Jurisdiction of the Methodist Church, 1927-1987
Comprises three boxes of printed materials, photographs, correspondence, and research files produced by the Methodist Church, the Central Jurisdiction, and constituent annual conferences, churches, and agencies. Held at Bridwell Library.
William Talbot Handy, Jr., Papers, 1934-2000
Documents the career of Bishop William Talbot Handy, Jr. (1924-1998) and his work as an African American pastor, denominational leader, civil rights activist, and race relations counselor. Held at Bridwell Library.
W. M. Gibson Ministerial Papers, 1954-1982
Documents the ministry of Rev. William Mason “W. M.” Gibson. He began his ministry in the Central Jurisdiction (African American) Texas Conference of the Methodist Church. Held at Bridwell Library.
Rhymes H. Moncure, Jr. Sermons, 1976-2007
Comprises sermon notes, audio-visual recordings, and personal papers of Bishop Rhymes H. Moncure, Jr. Held at Bridwell Library.
Thomas Spann Papers, 2011-2014
The Rev. Dr. Thomas Spann is an ordained Baptist minister and former professor of theology at SMU. The collection includes Dr. Spann's research on Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas, and a manuscript on the meaning of a black Baptist holy communion practice. Held at DeGolyer Library.

Digital Exhibitions

Three African American Bishops of the United Methodist Church
The items in this exhibition represent the ministries of three barrier-breaking church leaders: Ernest T. Dixon, Jr. (1922–1996), William Talbot Handy, Jr. (1924–1998), and Rhymes H. Moncure, Jr. (1945–2006).
The Uniting Conference of 1968 and the Birth of the United Methodist Church
Commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of The United Methodist Church. A selection of publications and images document Methodist integration, the Methodist-EUB merger, and the Uniting Conference that created the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States.

Other Holdings at Bridwell Library

Images

These images represent a small portion of the holdings at the archives; contact Bridwell Library for more information.

Cabinet Card of Bishop Isaac Lane (1834–1937)
Fifth bishop in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
Cabinet Card of Bishop Monroe Franklin Jamison (1848-1918)
Bishop in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

Lecture Recordings

The links below are for audio files of lectures given at SMU. The original recordings are held at Bridwell Library.

The Black Experience
Given by A. Cecil Williams. Senior retreat, Perkins School of Theology. March 7, 1969.
Revolutionary Dimensions of Coalitions.
Given by A. Cecil Williams. Senior retreat, Perkins School of Theology. March 7, 1969.
Black Worship
Given by Nathaniel Lacy, Jr. 1971 Peyton Lectures.
Service of Liberation and Hope in the Black Tradition
Given by Zan W. Holmes, Jr. 1974 Peyton Lectures.
Fondren Lecture #1
Given by Randolph Nugent, Jr. 1982.
Fondren Lecture #2
Given by Randolph Nugent, Jr. 1982.
Fondren Lecture #3
Given by Randolph Nugent, Jr. 1982.
The Terrible Alternative
Given by James Lawson. 1983 Peyton Lectures.
Power at the Bottom of the Well
Given by James Lawson. 1983 Peyton Lectures.
Healing the Hidden Wound
Given by James Lawson. 1983 Peyton Lectures.
The King James Bible and the Figuring of African American Bodies.
Given by Dr. Abraham Smith. October 27, 2011.

African American Studies Archival Collections: Theology

Archival Collections

Digital Exhibitions

Other Holdings at Bridwell Library

Images

Lecture Recordings

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