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Archives and Special Collections at Southeastern: Finding Aids A-L

This guide is designed to introduce researchers to Archives and Special Collections at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Finding Aids A-L

Archival collections (personal papers and institutional records) are discoverable by using finding aids which provide contextual information about a collection, its components, and the person, family, or organization that created the materials it contains. Finding aids also provide important information about access policies for a collection and usually include an inventory that helps you identify the portions of the collection that are most important for your research.

Explore our finding aids, legacy inventories, and information about new acquisitions below.

A-Z Finding Aids

American Association of University Professors: SEBTS Chapter records, 1987-1988

These records consist of three boxes documenting the SEBTS chapter of the American Association of University Professors dating between 1987-1988.

Adams, Theodore F. collection, 1977–1985
Theodore F. Adams was, most notably, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Richmond, VA. (1936–1968), and served as President of the Baptist World Alliance (1955–1960) and Visiting Professor of Preaching at SEBTS (1968–1978).This collection contains audio-cassette tapes, photographic slides, and other materials ranging from 1977–1985 that were collected by SEBTS Archives and Special Collections staff. These predominantly biographical and oral history related materials document the lives and ministries of Theodore F. Adams and his wife Esther Jillson Adams.

Alcorn, Wallace A. papers, 1844–2012, predominant 1948–2012
Wallace A. Alcorn is an ordained Baptist minister, who served as pastor of churches in New Jersey, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, where he served at First Baptist Church, Austin, MN (G.A.R.B.C., 1976–1983). He taught Bible at Moody Bible Institute (Chicago) and New Testament at Northwest Baptist Seminary (Tacoma, Washington). This collection contains mostly paper documents, including some pictures, ranging from 1844–2012 that were created and/or collected by Wallace A. Alcorn. These papers document his life in ministry and the military, his literary career, and his interest in biblical studies, history, music, and politics.

Andrews, William Parker papers, 1946–2008, predominant 1960–1990
William Parker Andrews and his wife, Connie, served 37 years (1950–1987) as career missionaries in Chile, South America, with the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. This collection contains mostly paper documents, including some pictures, ranging from 1946–2008 that were created and/or collected by William Parker Andrews and his wife, Connie. These papers document his life in missions and ministry in Chile, S. A. , and includes representative sermon material with a good selection of materials in Spanish.

Arlington Street Baptist Church records, 1957-2018, predominant 1970-2018

This collection contains papers and graphic material from Arlington Street Baptist Church in Greenville, North Carolina. It primarily consists of financial information, church policies, photographs, and other papers concerning the church's activity between 1957 and 2016. The material predominantly falls between 1970 and 2016. The photographs range from 1977 to 1978 and are housed in photo albums. 

Ballentine, John S. papers, 1911–2006, predominant 1950–2006

John Stuart Ballentine was pastor of churches in St. James, Tyler, St. Paul, and Minneapolis, MN, and in Nantucket, MA. He was the founder of Bryant Ave. Christian School (Mpls, MN), and was a State American Legion Chaplain and 1st Sergeant in Patton’s Army. He was an ardent anti-communist and a theological separatist, affiliated with the Minnesota Baptist Association. This collection contains mostly paper documents, including some pictures, ranging from 1911–2006 that were created and/or collected by John Ballentine. These papers document his life in ministry and the military, and his interest in biblical separatism and anti-communism.

Binkley, Olin T. presidential records, 1963-1974

Olin Trivette Binkley was a Southern Baptist pastor and professor who served as the second president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1963-1974. This collection contains material related to Dr. Binkley's time as president of SEBTS and includes letters, faculty memos, information dealing with construction and renovation of seminary buildings, and information about the institutional accreditation process.

Blackmore, James H. papers 1983-1997

James Blackmore was a pastor and long-time Director of Public Relations at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Within this collection are several pieces of Blackmore’s own writing, commentary notes, and an address for the 100th anniversary of one of the churches he pastored during his career.

Bouldin, John Robert, 1964-2010

This collection contains eight boxes of sermons and study sheets created and used by Reverend John Robert Bouldin during his time as pastor and interim pastor of North Carolina churches. Spanning over four decades, Pastor Bouldin's transcripts are divided between those focusing on books of the Bible and those arranged in chronological order from 1992-2010.

Braswell, George W. papers, 1931-2006

George W. Braswell, Jr. is a world-renowned scholar and expert in the field of World Religions and Middle Eastern Studies. Braswell’s career in academia began when he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Philosophy from Wake Forest University. He continued his education at Yale Divinity where he earned a Bachelor of Divinity in Comparative Religions and Christian Missions. After Yale, Braswell earned a Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, both focused in the area of anthropology of religions. Braswell also earned a Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Braswell’s career in academia continued following his time as a student. Following a five-year stint as pastor of Cullowhee Baptist Church in Cullowhee, North Carolina, Braswell took a professorship at the University of Tehran in Tehran, Iran, where he taught comparative religions. After five years in Tehran, Braswell taught year at Damavand College, where he taught sociology and English. As the political situation in Iran became increasingly tumultuous in the mid-1970s, Braswell returned to the United States in 1974, and took the position of Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Missions and World Religions at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he would remain for the next thirty years. In 2005, Braswell went to Campbell University Divinity School in Buies Creek, North Carolina, where he continued teaching World Religions, with a special focus on communicating to students the great need to have open dialogues with people of other faiths. In 2007, Braswell helped to found the World Religions and Global Cultures Center at Campbell Divinity School, where he continues to use his position to train future Christian leaders to have a more adept sense of global awareness and a deeper understanding of the cultures and religions of people around the world. Throughout his time as an educator, Braswell has written numerous books and articles on the topics of Islam, Christianity, and global missions.

Bulman, James M. papers, 1942–1987, predominant 1943–1982

James M. Bulman was a Baptist pastor, church parliamentarian, and author. He served four North Carolina churches after graduating from seminary: Cornelius Baptist Church, Cornelius, NC (1949–1955); East Spencer Baptist church, East Spencer, NC (1955–1960); Providence Baptist church, East Spencer, NC (1960–1967); and Central Baptist Church, Oak Ridge Baptist Church, Oak Ridge, NC (1967–1980). He was parliamentarian of the Southern Baptist Convention (1971) and of the NC Baptist Convention (1963–1975). He authored two books and numerous articles for theological journals. This collection contains audiocassettes, photographs, an LP record, and paper materials ranging primarily from 1947–1982 reflecting Bulman’s seminary studies, his published and unpublished writings, materials related to areas of his theological interests, sermon material, and his work as parliamentarian.

Burns, John A. papers, 1951–1997, predominant 1968–1997

John A. Burns was a Baptist pastor, a professor of New Testament, and served in various capacities in most of the libraries of the schools where he taught. He taught New Testament at Hannibal-LaGrange College (Hannibal, MO), Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (Lynchburg, VA), Luther Rice Seminary (Jacksonville, FL), and Criswell College (Dallas, TX), being Criswell’s librarian, as well. He held pastorates in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Louisiana, and planted churches in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, most notably the Bridedale Baptist Church, Metairie, Louisiana (1966–1969). He was involved with the translation of the New International Version and the New King James Version of the Bible. This collection contains primarily paper documents that were created and/or collected by John A. Burns, with some books. These papers document his life in ministry and, primarily, his teaching career. It includes files of collected materials covering a broad range of biblical, theological, historical, philosophical topics, as well as language. Included, also, are his instructional/course materials.

Capps, Richard H. papers, 1961-2003

This collection contains materials collected and used by Dr. Richard H. Capps in his pastoral and ministry leadership. It includes various research materials associated with the Southern Baptist Convention and the Home Mission Board, materials concerning the churches and Baptist associations Capps served, and training materials for church leaders and members.

Convocation of the Laity, 1984

This collection contains 10 hours of video of The Convocation of the Laity, a conference held at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, April 26-28, 1984.

Davis, Donald Spencer North Carolina G.S. 115c-81(el) papers, 1995–2001, predominant 1995–1999

Donald Spencer Davis was a politician who served in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 1995 until he retired in 2002. He attended the University of Maryland and the Austin Peay State Teachers College (TN). He was actively involved with the Heritage Bible College in Dunn, NC, and was a member of Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church in Erwin, NC. This collection consists of paper material from the office of Representative Donald Spencer Davis related to North Carolina legislation G.S. 115c-81(el) ratified in 1995, commonly known as “Abstinence Until Marriage” education, and its implementation.

Drummond, Lewis A. presidential records, 1950-1992

Lewis A. Drummond was a pastor and professor who served as the fourth president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. This collection contains fourteen boxes of material related to the presidency of Dr. Drummond at SEBTS. Covering the years 1988-1992, President Drummond’s papers are divided between correspondence, material related to SEBTS, and material related to the Southern Baptist Convention.

Duncan, Pope A. papers, 1942–1970, predominant 1946–1970

Pope Alexander Duncan was a pastor, professor, administrator, and author. He served as pastor of River View Baptist Church, Louisville, KY, while attending Southern Seminary. He taught Religion at Stetson University and Church History at SEBTS. He then served as Dean at Brunswick College (GA), as Vice-President and President of Georgia Southern College (now University), and President of Stetson University (FL). He authored four books, among them The Pilgrimage of Christianity and Our Baptist Story, contributed to several volumes, notably the Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists, and wrote numerous articles. This collection contains paper materials primarily from 1946–1970 related to Pope Duncan’s time on the faculty of SEBTS (1953–1963). In addition, the collection contains one reel-to-reel audio recording of sermons, and some pictures.

Estes, T. W. papers, 1927–2002, predominant 1950–1997

T. W. Estes served in the Marines during W.W. II, after which he attended Gardner-Webb Junior College, Wake Forest University (B.A.), and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (B.D., 1957). He was pastor of six North Carolina churches: Mt. Gilead (Pittsboro); Lawndale Baptist (Lawndale); Florence Baptist (Forest City); Mineral Springs Baptist (Winston-Salem); Westview Baptist (Shelby); and Guilford Baptist (Greensboro). This collection consists of paper materials documenting his life and pastoral ministry. It includes primarily sermon related material and significant runs of church newsletters, along with articles and a few books.

Foreign Mission Board Educational Materials collection, 1953-1981

The records of this collection contain education materials distributed among Southern Baptist churches from 1953 to 1981. The content of this collection includes maps with specific information on mission activities, brochures containing information about unreached countries, and photos from the mission field.  

Frazier, Ann W. papers, 1953-2002, predominant 1965-2001

Ann W. Frazier was a member of Roanoke Baptist church, Roanoke Rapids, NC, where she served as a Sunday School teacher and church organist. For 20 years she was involved with adolescent sexuality issues, particularly abstinence-based education. She wrote the original grant for funding North Carolina’s “Abstinence Until Marriage” education, and had been appointed to various boards, commissions, and committees by Governor James G. Martin and Governor James B. Hunt. This collection contains audio-cassette tapes, video-cassette tapes, film strips, floppy discs, and other materials dating from 1953–2002 that were collected by Ann Frazier. This is an eclectic collection of educational topics related primarily to sex education involving AIDS, STDs, contraception, etc., but including broader topics such as Humanism, drugs, the New Age movement, and the occult.

Harvey Jr., Samuel E. papers, 1954-2013

Dr. Samuel Edward Harvey Jr. (1937-2015) was a pastor who served at churches on the eastern coast of Virginia and North Carolina until his retirement in 1999. He attended Wake Forest University (BA), Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv), and Union Seminary (DMin).  Dr. Harvey served as Associate Pastor and Educational Director at First Baptist Church Elizabeth City before serving as pastor at Red Bank Baptist Church in Marionville, VA; Corrottoman Baptist Church in Lancaster, VA; First Baptist Church in Beaufort, NC; Calvary Baptist Church in Portsmouth, VA; and First Baptist Church in Grifton, NC. In addition to serving as a pastor, he also served as the moderator of the Portsmouth Baptist Association, president of the Accomack Baptist Pastor’s Conference, and president of the Portsmouth Baptist Pastor’s Conference, teacher for the South Roanoke Baptist Association, and was a member of the Wake Forest University Ministerial Alumni Council.

Hipps, John B. papers, 1922-1968

John B. Hipps was a notable Southern Baptist missionary and educator in the twentieth century. Materials in this collection are comprised of Hipps’ own lectures from his time as a professor at the University of Shanghai and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, as well as other materials related to his own research, writing, and missionary career.

Kaemmerling, Russell papers, 1842-2001, predominant 1936-2001

Russell Kaemmerling attended Lamar University (B.S. 1973) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1976). He was the pastor of First Baptist Church, West Columbia, S.C. (1977–1980), and edited two of the important communication vehicles of the Conservative Resurgence within the Southern Baptist Convention. He edited for six months the Southern Baptist Journal (1980), a publication of the Baptist Faith and Message Fellowship, and, then, edited the Southern Baptist Advocate (1980–1985), which was funded by the Criswell Center for Biblical Studies.This collection contains correspondence, news clippings and periodicals, notes, audio cassette tapes, images, and other materials ranging from 1842-2001 that were created and collected by Russell Kaemmerling. These papers document Russell Kaemmerling's participation in the Conservative Resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention, particularly his work publishing the Southern Baptist Advocate.

L'Abri Cassette Tape Collection, 1960-1994

This collection is composed of audio cassette tapes created and disseminated by the L’Abri organization founded by Francis and Edith Schaeffer. These tapes are of various lectures and “talks” given by the Schaeffers and other friends of the organization with the intent of teaching others and encouraging the development of a Christian worldview in the listener.

L'Abri LP Record Collection, 1967-1979

This is a collection of four LP records that were created by artists associated with Francis and Edith Schaeffer's ministry L'Abri in the 1960s-1970s.

Library Services records, 1880-2013, predominant 1950-1993

This collection contains records documenting the operations of the Library at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary as well as "Southeastern in the News," newspaper clippings concerning the Seminary collected by the Library. Records include correspondence, yearly expenditures, donations, and newspaper clippings.

Lolley, W. Randall presidential records, 1974-1988

This collection contains fourteen boxes of material related to the presidency of W. Randall Lolley at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Covering the years 1974-1988, President Lollley's papers are divided between correspondence, material related to SEBTS, and material related to the Southern Baptist Convention.

Legacy Inventories

Archives at Southeastern staff are in the process of developing standardized finding aids for our holdings. Until that process is complete, the following item-level inventories will be available to help you discover resources that are pertinent to your research. Please note that these are legacy inventories and they may contain grammatical mistakes and other errors. Researchers are encouraged to contact archives staff in advance to plan a research visit to examine collections with legacy inventories.

New Acquisitions and Unprocessed Collections

The archives is regularly adding new collections to our holdings and processing collections from our backlog. The following collections have been newly acquired or are awaiting processing. Please contact our archives staff to ask for an overview of the contents of these collections and inquire about the possibility of conducting research within them.

New Collections

  • Tar River Baptist Association records (October 2020)

Processing Backlog

  • Chile Mission collection
  • Green, James Leo papers