Personal Papers

Lutheran Archives Center holds a large number of collections of personal papers of Lutheran clergy, theologians and church workers. Examples include: from the 18th century, Henry Melchior Muhlenberg and Justus Henry Christian Helmuth; from the 19th century, Charles Porterfield Krauth, William Julius Mann and Beale Melancthon Schmucker; and from the 20th century, Henry Eyster Jacobs, Sr., Charles Michael Jacobs, Jr., O. Frederick Nolde, Theodore G. Tappert, and John H. P. Reumann. Personal papers are generally most useful to academic researchers studying specific topics in church history or theology. 

Manuscript Collections

Some collections contain a finding aid or inventory list. For those that do not have a listing, please contact us for more information at info@lutheranarchives.org. Please note that finding aids will be made available as collections are processed.

Ray F. Anderson

• 1 box related to Interfaith Interracial Council of the Clergy (IICC), 1960s, St. Paul's English, Cheltenham Ave

Rev. Ernst Frederick Bachmann (1870-1954)

• 5 boxes: Click here to view the inventory list for this collection.

Rev. E. Theodore Bachmann (1911-1995)

• 5 boxes: Private Register of Marriages and Personal Papers, Correspondence, Deaconess House, Inner Mission, Books, Papers,  etc. 

C.A. Baer

• 1 box containing diaries

Rev. Henry H. Bagger

• 16 boxes containing sermons, correspondence, diaries, pastoral records, thesis/graduate work, scrapbook, Pittsburg synod files, etc.  circa 1911-1967 

• Click here to view the inventory list for this collection.

Rev. Ralph W. Bagger

• 16 boxes containing pastoral records, appointment books, sermons, seminary course files, LBW files, objects and textiles

• Click here to view the inventory list for this collection.

Rev. U.E. Bauers 

• 2 boxes containing sermons, 1915-1959

Rev. Dr. Gustaves Bechtold

• 2 boxes of papers

• 1 box of Inner Mission of Philadelphia Papers Collected by Rev. G.H. Bechtold (#2020.017.001) 

John Bender

• 1 box of reprinted seminary class notes

Rev. Charles Theodore Benze

• 2 boxes of unprocessed letters

Rev. W.T. Benze

• 1 box: Board of Foreign Missions - India Missions Records collected by W.T. Benze, Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Synod

• 14 boxes of unprocessed papers including periodicals, pamphlets, India missions material, congregation files, photographs, and artifacts 

William C. Berkemeyer

• 2 boxes of unprocessed papers

Schuyler Brossman 

• 1 box of unprocessed papers

Rev. Harold E.B. Brubeck

• Private communion set

Rev. Buehler 

• 1 box of Northeastern PA Synod volumes

Krider Clobert

• 1 box of memorabilia pins, 1979 including Martin Luther, Women, and Sunday School

Rev. Dr. William H. Cooper

• 1 box of unprocessed papers

Rev. Elmer Deibert 

• 1 box of Sermons, 1915-1963 (#2021.014.001)

J.W. Doberstein

• 5 boxes of notes, pastoral care files, lectures, and mementos from Henry Eyster Jacobs

Rev. Dr. Paul C. Empie (1909-1979)

• 6 boxes of unprocessed papers

• Click here to view the inventory list for this collection.

Henry Endress

• 2 boxes of film scripts for Martin Luther Film, 1952 and Bach in Season 

Rev. Fritz Otto Evers

• 1 box of weekly devotional articles, 1956-1962

Pastor Robert M. Feist (1921-2002)

• 1 box of unprocessed papers

Rev. Carl Frederick Wilhem Ficken

• 1 box of unprocessed papers including LTSP class notes, 1957-1960, and correspondence re: Henry E. Horn Collection

Rev. Emil Eisenhardt Fischer

• 1 box containing a scrapbook chronicling Ministerum of Pennsylvania Presidency,  1943-1953

Wayne W. Floyd

• 7 boxes of unprocessed papers re: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works Translation Publication Project, LTSP

John Franklin Cressman Fluck

• 1 box containing Testimonial Book, 1918

Lewis F. Foltz

• 1 box of unprocessed papers

Professor Karlfried Froehlich

• 6 boxes of papers relating to Lutheran-Roman Catholic and Lutheran-Reformed Dialogue

• Click here to view the inventory list.

Rev. Franklin Drewes Fry

• 1 box containing Books, Diplomas, VHS Tapes

Dr. Gaise

• 2 boxes containing Lutheran periodicals, Metro New York

Gilman

• 2 boxes of unprocessed papers

Rev. Frederick Harry Goos

• 6 boxes of unprocessed papers

John K. Gottschall

• 1 box containing Bach Chorales: Proclaiming the Gospel

Rev. Arthur E. Greenwalt Sr.

• 1 box of unprocessed papers containing pastoral records

Rev. Gulbrandsen

• 1 box containing 1 English Bible and 1 Norwegian Bible

Rev. Raymond Heckman Pastoral Collection

• 1 box of unprocessed papers including  private parish register for St. James Lutheran Church (Allentown, PA), 1920-1926

Rev. Henry H. Heins

• 8 boxes of unprocessed papers including Pastoral Acts Record Book, 1948-1970

Dr. Mahlon Hellerich

• 1 box of Lutheran Archives Center Files and Obituary c. 1990s-2001

Dr. Adolph Hellwege

• 1 box containing Photographs, Papers, Books

Henkel Family Association Papers (1795-1924) (#2023.0012.001)

• Click here to view the finding aid.

Rev. David Henkel M.S.S.

• 1 box of unprocessed handwritten documents associated with Rev. David Henkel

William de Heyman 

• 1 box containing scrapbooks for Luther League caravanning in the 1950s

Rev. William Chester Hill

• 1 box of unprocessed volumes

Rev. William W. Hill

• 1 box containing confirmation certificate, diplomas, and ordination certificates

Rev. Paul Edward Hoffman

• 3 small boxes of unprocessed dissertation material

Rev. Dr. Edward Trail Horn III

• 9 boxes of unprocessed papers including diaries and material on Henry Eyster Jacobs

Rev. Dr. Henry Eyster Horn Collection, 1934-2007

• Click here to view the finding aid.

Rev. William M. Horn

• 1 box of unprocessed papers and reports

Pastor A.R. Horne 

• Pastor A.R. Horne Document Collection (1834-1902): 1 box containing drawings, typed documents, and newspaper documents associated with Pastor A.R. Horne

Rev. Charles Frederick William Hoppe

• 1 box containing 1888 graduation certificate and 1881 ordination certificate 

Rev. Thomas T. Iaeger (1826-1888)

• 1 box containing a Memoir on Rev. Iaeger and 1 small scrapbook containing newspaper clippings and letters regarding the death of Eugene H. Robinson, 1876

Rev. Charles Michael Jacobs

• 10 boxes of unprocessed papers while LTSP President including correspondence and sermons, 1930-1938

Rev. Henry Eyster Jacobs

• 10 boxes of unprocessed papers including sermons, "Pastoral Epistles" Lecture 1893, and  papers re: Seminary courses and India Missions, etc.

Jacoby

• 1 box of unprocessed lecture notes

Jehu Jones

• 1 box of unprocessed papers related to celebration and historical research, 1998

S.E. Kidd

• 3 boxes of unprocessed papers

Rev. C. Leighton King 

1 box of unprocessed papers related to 

Kistler

• 2 boxes of unprocessed papers

John Klein

• 1 box of unprocessed correspondence regarding Henry M. Muhlenberg

Rev. Edwin H. Knudten

• 1 box of unprocessed papers related to time as bishop of New Jersey Synod, 1950-1970

Johannes Koch/John Cooke

• 1 Handwritten receipt book of John Cooke/Johannes Koch dating 1790-1800 documenting payments for housekeeping, laundry, etc. 

• Click here to view PastPerfect record.

Rev. Howard Kuhnle

• 3 boxes of unprocessed papers including scrapbooks

Rev. James F. Lambert

• 2 boxes of unprocessed papers including diploma and ordination certificates

Rev. Robert M. Lamparter (1917–2010) Lutheran Church Postcard Collection 

• Click here to view the finding aid.

Lazareth

• 1 box of unprocessed papers relating to 1962 Translation of Luther's Small Catechism

Dr. Charles A. Linn

• 15 Certificates and Medals

Phyllis Linn

• 1 box of unprocessed papers related to missionary work in Japan

George Long, Jr.

• 1 box of unprocessed papers

W.J. Mann

• 1 box of unprocessed "Symbolics Lectures" Books including 1898 original handwritten and photocopy of 1893 version

Rev. John Matthiesen

• 1 box of papers and correspondence re: Trinity (Trenton, NJ) and Bruno R. Hauptmann, c. 1935-1936

Rev. D. Menges

• 2 boxes of unprocessed sermons

Rev. Klaus Molzahn

• 2 boxes of unprocessed papers

Rev. Carl H. Moyer

• 4 boxes of unprocessed personal papers including sermons, scrapbooks, certificates and LTSP class notes/studies

Rev. H.H. Moyer

• 3 boxes of unprocessed papers including sermons and miscellanous booklets

W.O. Moyer

• 3 boxes of unprocessed papers

Henry Melchior Muhlenberg

John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg

• Handwritten Liturgy Book, 1769 (#2022.0024.001)

O. Frederick Nolde

• 12 boxes of unprocessed papers

• Click here to view the inventory list.

John Nurser

• 4 boxes of unprocessed personal research papers 

Ole Peterson

• 1 box of unprocessed Exegetical notebooks, 1890

Ernst P. Pfatteicher

• 3 boxes of unprocessed papers including files dated 1891-1938;1939-1943, diploma, and ordination certificate

Rev. Richard Porritt

• 1 box of unprocessed sermons

Paul Ruff

• 1 box of unprocessed papers

John H.P. Reumann Papers, 1892–2008

• Click here to view the finding aid.

Rev. William C. Roeger

• 1 box of unprocessed papers including In Season Series 1974-1982 and Selected Sermons 1972, 1986-1993

Leslie Ross Photograph/Poster Collection

• 4 boxes of unprocessed photos and posters

Rev. Dr. William Seaman

• 13 boxes of unprocessed papers

C.W. Schaffer 

• 1 box of unprocessed papers

Rev. Charles Frederick Schaeffer Pastoral Records, 1827-1875

• 1 box including 2 volumes of original records and typed index

Rev. E.J.F. Schantz

• 2 boxes of unprocessed papers related to Berks and Lebanon counties

Pastor Carl Schaum

• 2 boxes of unprocessed papers including daybooks, photo albums, correspondence, and German genealogy (1854-1972)

Scheib Family

• 1 box of unprocessed papers related to family genealogy

Ernst G. Schidt

• 1 box of unprocessed papers

Rev. Claude F. Schick

• Pastoral Record Book of Baptisms, Confirmations, Marriages, and Funerals (1930-1940). Rev. Schick served Our Savior (Haddonfield, NJ) 1930-1932; St. Paul (Philadelphia) 1932-1938; Spring City, PA 1938-?

Karl Schild

• 8 boxes of unprocessed papers related to Henry H. Muhlenberg journal transcription and St. Michael-Zion Lutheran Church (Philadelphia)

Theodore G. Schmauk

• 1 boxes of papers, books, photographs, and booklets including German transcription of Henry Muhlenberg travel diary, 1772 and copies of article "Lutherans in the Great Econimic Depression" and Metal Imprints

Rev. Edward G. Schmickel

• 1 box of unprocessed convention medallions

Frances M. Schmickel

• 1 box of unprocessed papers

Schmidt

• 2 boxes of unprocessed papers

Rev. Beale Melanchton Schmucker

• Private Parish Register containing Baptisms, Sermons, Ministerial Changes, Confirmation, Marriages, Burials, 1847-1850

Emil Schneider

• 1 box of unprocessed papers

Karl Schneider

• 1 box of unprocessed photographs

J. Seiss

• 1 box of personal diaries

Rev. Merwyn L. Shelly (1909–1991) Pastoral Collection, 1933-1987

• Click here to view the finding aid.

Francis Allen Shrearer

• 1 box of unprocessed diplomas

Rev. Howard E. Snyder

• 1 box of unprocessed papers including sermons, letters, and files re: Lutheran Archives Center

Adolph Spaeth

• 2 boxes of unprocessed papers including photocopy of lecture book "A Course of Lectures on the Pericopes," 1895

Wolfgang Splitter 

• 1 box containing 1993 dissertation

Rev. Marvin Stettler

• 1 box of pastoral records from St. Paul's Lutheran Church (Reading, PA), 1898-1948 including ministerial acts & church history

Rev. Dr. Richard Stewart

• 6 boxes of unprocessed papers related to research

Rev. Dr. John M. Strodel

• 5 boxes of unprocessed papers including sermons and books, 1920-1970

The Rev. Theodore G. Tappert Papers, 1917-1973 (#2023.0045.001)

• Click here to view the finding aid for this collection.

The Rev. Theodore G. Tappert Pastor Biographical Research Files, 1950–1965 (#1979.001.03LF.130)

• Click here to view the finding aid for this collection.

A.H. Tiemeyer

• 1 box of unprocessed papers

John W. Tomlinson Jr.

• 3 boxes of unprocessed sermons

J.H. Voss

• 1 box of unprocessed papers

Dr. Rev. T.J. Wengert Papers

• 4 boxes of unprocessed papers including Hermann Sassee, Luther, Ecumenical Dialogues, and Human Sexuality 

J.W. Whetstone Architecture Files

• 3 boxes of unprocessed papers related to church architecture

Rev. Andrew J. White

• 3 boxes of unprocessed papers related to Urban Church Institute, etc.

Wiencke

• 1 box of unprocessed papers related to Reports/ Works Intersynodical Catechetical Committee and Philadelphia Lutheran Publication House 1950-1960s

Mildred Winston 

• 4 boxes of unprocessed papers and photographs

Eleanor Woodroffe 

• 1 box of LTSP related papers including class photos & newspaper clippings

Carl F. Yaeger

• 1 box of unprocessed papers

H.O. Zbinden

• 1 box of unprocessed letters

Organizations

Book of Concord Archives

• 4 boxes of unprocessed papers related to Timothy J. Wengert, 2000

Inner Mission of Philadelphia Papers Collected by Rev. G.H. Bechtold

• 1 box of unprocessed papers

Lankenau School for Girls Photographic Slides, 1930s-1979

• 1 box of unprocessed photo slides

Lutheran Liturgical Association Memoirs, 1904

• 1 box of unprocessed papers

Mission Resources Institute

• 5 boxes of unprocessed papers related to 250th anniversary, 1998

St. Ambrose Society

• 2 boxes of unprocessed papers

Safe Streets Committee Inc.

• 3 boxes of unprocessed papers

The Woman's Mission Society In the General Council 

• 1 box of unprocessed papers