Date(s): 1985-2011, predominant 1989-1995.
Extent: .18 cu.ft.
Abstract: This collection contains the papers of Robert D. Crowley, a Southern Baptist preacher and a member of the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Board of Trustees. Materials in this collection include numerous institutional reports and meetings of minutes related to the leadership and day-to-day functioning of Southeastern Seminary, as well as a video interview with Crowley.
Biographical Note: Robert Crowley was the son of famed Washington, D.C. pastor, Dale Crowley, Sr., and would go on to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a fixture in the greater Washington, D.C. area in his own right. In addition to his ministry work in Maryland, Robert Crowley would be involved in leadership within the Southern Baptist Convention during the tumultuous times leading up to and immediately after the Conservative Resurgence, and Robert Crowley is often commended for his role in the post-Resurgence transition process. Robert Crowley served as pastor of Montrose Baptist Church in Rockville, Maryland, from 1956 until 1996. Under his leadership, the church began expanding its already impressive outreach programs to include a daycare, and eventually a fully accredited K-12 school. Montrose Baptist served as a model for numerous other Southern Baptist Churches in this regard. In addition to his service at Montrose Baptist Church, Robert Crowley served as a member of the board of trustees from 1985 to 1995, and was chairman of the board from 1987 to 1990. The years of Robert Crowley’s affiliation with the leadership of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary coincide with the years in which the institution was suffering through a severe downturn brought about as the result of the infighting that had previously swept through the Southern Baptist Convention. With Crowley’s leadership, the Southeastern trustees were determined to save the seminary and turn it around, both academically and theologically. Many cite Robert Crowley as being the driving force behind bringing Paige Patterson to Southeastern Seminary, thus beginning a period of remarkable, previously unseen, growth for the institution. Crowley focused his later years on a children’s ministry, Summit Lake Camp, he and his wife founded in 1969, with the purpose of sharing the message of Christ with children of all colors and backgrounds from the greater Washington, D.C. area. Crowley remained heavily involved with this ministry until his death in 2011.
Scope and Contents: The materials within this collection span the period of Robert Crowley’s time as a member of the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary’s Board of Trustees, with most documents within the period of 1989-1995. The majority of documents are related to the operations of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and are in the form of meeting minutes, letters from the Seminary president, and other intra-institutional documents. Also included with the collection is a video interview with Crowley conducted sometime prior to his death.
Language(s): English
Conditions Governing Access: This collection is open for research.
Processing History: Arranged and described by Charles Haley, Archives Assistant.
Preferred Citation: Robert D. Crowley papers, Archives and Special Collections, Library at Southeastern, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC.
Repository: Archives and Special Collections, Library at Southeastern, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC
Resource Identifier: ARC.024
