Inventory of the Duke University Religious Council Records, 1938-1971
[top]Descriptive Summary
Repository
University Archives, Duke
University
Creator
Duke University. Religious Council.
Title
Duke University Religious Council Records, 1938-1971
Language of Material
Material in English
Extent
1.5 Linear Feet
approx. 1200 Items
Abstract
approx. 1200 Items
The Duke University Religious Council was formed in 1956 to coordinate interdenominational religious life and activity on the university campus and replaced the Student Religious Council, formed in 1937.
Types of material include correspondence, minutes, annual reports, financial papers, membership rosters, and the Council’s founding documents. Major subjects include committees organized by the Council; special services, programs, and events; national Christian organizations; and documents relating to the council’s community outreach. The material range in date from 1938-1971.
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Administrative Information
Access RestrictionsPatrons must sign the Acknowledgement of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.
Collection is open for research.
In off-site storage; 24 hours advanced notice required for use.
Copyright Notice
Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Duke University Religious Council, University Archives, Duke University.
Provenance
The Duke University Religious Council Records were received by the University Archives as a
transfer between 1976-1978.
Processing Information
Processed by Joshua Larkin Rowley, September 2008
Encoded by Joshua Larkin Rowley, September 2008
Accessions A76-180, A83-75, and A88-0032 were merged into one collection, described in this finding aid.
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and our local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
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Historical Note
The Religious Council was formed in 1956 to coordinate interdenominational religious activities affiliated with Duke University. In April of 1955, members of the Special Church Board Committee, a sub-committee of the Duke University Church, proposed to create a unified council with a widened sphere of operations. The new council would coordinate and serve as an advisory board to the various campus committees and organizations involved in religious activities. In 1956, to facilitate these goals, the Board of Duke University Church (established in 1938) and the Student Religious Council (formed in 1937) were merged to create the Religious Council. The Religious Council was a committee-based organization with community, faculty, and student representation. However, the Council emphasized student membership on the various committees. The Council also emphasized its interdenominational character, encouraging the participation of all faiths in religious activities.
[top]Collection Overview
This collection contains material created and accumulated by the Religious Council and range in date from 1938-1971. A majority dates from 1950 to 1965. The collection is divided into two series: Administrative Records and Subject Files. The administrative records contain correspondence, annual reports, financial papers, minutes of the executive council, and founding constitution and by-laws. Subject files include the materials accumulated by the Special Observance Committee, which include materials relating to various programs organized by the committee: correspondence, minutes, reports, and printed materials; Religious Emphasis Week, 1943-1955; outreach programs with Edgemont Community Center: reports, correspondence, financial papers, and the Living & Learning Project; and papers relating to the United Christian Council.
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Subject Headings
These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.
- Duke University. Religious Council.
- Edgemont Community Center (Durham, N.C.)
- Duke University Church.
- Duke University. Chapel.
- Duke University--Religion.
- Duke University--Religious Emphasis Week.
- Duke University--Students--Religious activities.
- United Student Christian Council.
Related Material
Religious Life Reference collection, 1937-present
Duke University Archives
Duke University Church records, 1936-1985
Duke University Archives
Durden, Robert F. The Launching of Duke, 1924-1949.Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 1993.
 | List of Series in Collection | |||||||
 |  | Administrative Records, 1938-1966 | ||||||
 | | Subject Files, 1943-1971 | ||||||
Detailed Description of Collection
Administrative Records, 1938-1966
Annual reports, correspondence, financial papers, founding documents, executice council minutes, and miscellaneous material.
Box 1
Annual reports, 1938-1940
Annual reports, 1960-1961
Correspondence, 1956-1966
Financial papers, 1956-1959
Founding documents, 1955, 1966, undated
Minutes, Executive Committee, 1957
Minutes, Executive Committee, 1958-1956
Miscellaneous, 1948-1956
Subject Files, 1943-1971
Various committees, programs, community outreach efforts, religious events and services, and national Christian organizations
Box 1
Faculty Program, 1957-1958, undated
Research Committee, 1959
Special Observances Committee (SOC), Correspondence, 1956-1958
SOC, Correspondence, 1959-1966
SOC, Minutes, 1956-1957, 1961
SOC, The Bishop's Company Repertory, 1960-1963
SOC, Marriage Seminar, 1958-1959
SOC, Printed material, 1957-1965
SOC, Newspaper clippings, 1957-1966
SOC, Publicity fliers and calenders, 1957-1966
SOC, Easter Sunrise Service, 1947-1966
SOC, Good Friday Service, 1943-1971
SOC, Holy Week, 1948-1949, undated
SOC, Lentin Service, 1948-1966, bulk 1948-1955
SOC, Noonday Meditation, 1952-1958
SOC, Miscellaneous, 1956-1966
Edgemont Community Center (ECC), Correspondence, 1958-1969
ECC, Financial papers, 1957-1966
ECC, Edgemont Community Classic, 1971
ECC, Living and Learning Project, 1966-1970
ECC, Long-Range Planning Committee, 1966-1967, undated
Interdenominational meeting, 1949-1951
Japanese Cherry Tree Planting Service, 1953
Receptions, 1954-1957
Religious Emphasis Week, 1943-1951
Religious Emphasis Week, 1952
Religious Emphasis Week, 1953
Religious Emphasis Week, 1954
Religious Emphasis Week, 1955
School program at Salvation Army Hospital and House, 1962
Student Religious Council, 1952-1957
United Student Christian Council, 1948-1952
Veterans Hospital Ministry, 1960-1961, 1964
World's Student Christian Federation, 1939-1952
World Student Day of Prayer, 1939-1952
United Student Christian Council, 1948-1952
