Foldered & Finished: John W. Goodwin Papers

Posted on March 29, 2019 by Amanda Dietz

The John W. Goodwin Papers are ready for researchers. An updated finding aid and digitized selections from the collection are now available on DigitalCommons@ACU.

First page of “Encouragement” sermon notes, box 1, John Goodwin Papers, 1948-1979. Center for Restoration Studies MS #8. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives,, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX

John Goodwin began preaching in the Churches of Christ in 1948. Before he began preaching, he worked as sales manager for Holsum Baking Co., Corpus Christi, Texas.

First page of “For the People had a Mind to Work” sermon outline, box 1, John Goodwin Papers, 1948-1979. Center for Restoration Studies MS #8. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives,, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX

The collection contains the sermon notes and outlines of John W. Goodwin. The collection is housed in five boxes and one series.

Foldered & Finished: Fifth & Beechwood Church of Christ (Pittsburgh, PA) Records

Posted on March 22, 2019 by Amanda Dietz

The Fifth & Beechwood Church of Christ Records are ready for researchers. An updated finding aid and digitized selections from the collection are now available on DigitalCommons@ACU.

Notarized document from Trustees of the Church of Christ of Pittsburgh, Series II: Correspondence/Business, Fifth and Beechwood Church of Christ Records, 1931-1972. Center for Restoration Studies MS #7. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

This record group contains correspondence giving insight into the churches in Pennsylvania and the northeast in the 20th century. The collection contains letters, legal documents, binders, a list of new converts, and papers concerning elder selection.

Letter from Oakland Church of Christ to Cled E. Wallace, Series II: Correspondence/Business, Fifth and Beechwood Church of Christ Records, 1931-1972. Center for Restoration Studies MS #7. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

The Fifth and Beechwood Church of Christ was formerly known as the Oakland Church of Christ and is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Additional resources with connections to Pennsylvania from ACU Special Collections and Archives:

56th Street Church of Christ, “56th Street Church of Christ (Philadelphia, PA) Collection, 1888-2016” (2018). Center for Restoration Studies Archives, Manuscripts and Personal Papers Finding Aids.
Kelton Church of Christ, “Kelton, Pennsylvania. Church of Christ Church Record Book 1838-1873.” (1873). Stone-Campbell Books.
Vandivier, John (JW) W., “John W. (J.W.) Vandivier Collection, 1850-1927” (2018). Center for Restoration Studies Archives, Manuscripts and Personal Papers Finding Aids.

Foldered & Finished: Richard F. Baggett Papers

Posted on March 15, 2019 by Amanda Dietz

The Richard F. Baggett Papers are ready for researchers. An updated finding aid and digitized selections from the collection are now available on DigitalCommons@ACU.

Report- April 1-June 8, 1952, folder 1, Richard F. Baggett Papers, 1952. Center for Restoration Studies MS #261. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

Richard F. Baggett graduated from Harding College in 1949. Richard and his wife, Mary, served as missionaries in Japan from 1950-1955, and 1956-1958. The focus of their work was training native preachers, establishing churches, teaching Bible at Ibaraki Christian College, and holding gospel meetings. The Baggetts were financially supported by the Coleman Avenue Church of Christ (Memphis, Tennessee), and the Union Avenue Church of Christ (Memphis, Tennessee).

Report- June 9-July 25, 1952, folder 1, Richard F. Baggett Papers, 1952. Center for Restoration Studies MS #261. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

This collection includes two reports from Richard F. Baggett, an American who was serving as a Churches of Christ missionary in Japan. Baggett mentions preaching in Japanese for the first time without the assistance of an interpreter, describes gospel meetings, discusses the presence of communists, and addresses accusations that those operating Ibaraki Christian College were premillennialists.

Related resources from ACU Special Collections and Archives:

Baggett, Richard, “Presenting the Restoration” (1981). Lectureship and Summit Audio Collection. 4916.
McMillan, E. W., “The Voice of Opportunity From China and Japan” (1948). Stone-Campbell Books. 332.
- Introduction written by the elders of the Union Avenue Church of Christ who supported the Baggetts during their time as missionaries
The Church of Christ Mission Photography Collection
- Includes images from Ibaraki, Japan during the time the Baggett family was serving as missionaries
Union Avenue Church of Christ, “The Story of a Church” (1946). Stone-Campbell Books. 449.
- Report from one of the churches that supported the Baggett family