Main content
Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America Records
Notifications
Held at: Swarthmore College Peace Collection [Contact Us]500 College Avenue, Swarthmore 19081-1399
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Swarthmore College Peace Collection. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
The Federal Council of Churches organized its Committee on the Conscientious Objector under its Department of International Justice and Goodwill in 1941 (circa). Bishop Oxnam was Chair of the Committee, and Dr. Walter Van Kirk was Secretary. Members of the Committee were nominated by the member churches of the Federal Council and appointed by the Council's President. The Committee was represented in NSBRO in a consultative capacity from January 17, 1941, to which it gave financial support or organized support from denominations. Grover Hartman, a C.O. who was released from CPS for detached service, came to the office in May 1944 to work with Dr. Van Kirk. His salary was paid from contributions made by the churches represented on the Committee. Hartman had earned an M.A. from American University and had worked as a teacher and a leader in the field of religion. He was working on his PhD. when he was drafted and sent to a CPS camp.
The Committee was interested in all aspects of conscientious objection, especially religious life in CPS camps. Among the Committee's projects was the organizing of a program of visitation to CPS camps.
In 1952, A. Staunton Curry, the Executive Secretary of NSBRO, wrote to the SCPC that he felt that the Committee's files should be deposited in the Peace Collection. The curator visited Dr. Van Kirk's office in Dec. 1952 and selected the records to transfer to the archives. The bulk of the Federal Council of Churches' archives is at the Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia (PA) [they have nothing on the Committee on the Conscientious Objector].
The Committee's archival records were re-processed in April 2001 for the purpose of better preservation measures and to arrange the material in a more comprehensible format. At that time, material regarding the Federal Council of Church that did not relate to the Committee was removed.
The Committee's archival records were re-processed in April 2001 for the purpose of better preservation measures and to arrange the material in a more comprehensible format. At that time, material regarding the Federal Council of Church that did not relate to the Committee was removed.
Guide to the Swarthmore College Peace Collection, 2nd ed., p. 26.
The Swarthmore College Peace Collection is the official repository for these records.
Gift of National Service Board for Religious Objectors, 1952.
Processed by SCPC staff; Checklist revised by Anne Yoder, April 2001; this version of finding aid created by Wendy E. Chmielewski, October 2009.
Items removed: Photographs removed to the Photograph Collection
People
Organization
- Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America. Committee on the Conscientious Objector
- American Friends Service Committee
- Brethren Service Committee
- Fellowship of Reconciliation (U.S.)
- Mennonite Central Committee
- National Service Board for Religious Objectors
- Civilian Public Service
Subject
- Conscientious Objectors -- United States -- History -- Sources
- Conscientious objection -- United States -- History -- Sources
- War -- Moral and ethical aspects -- History -- Sources
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Moral and ethical aspects -- Sources
- War -- Religious aspects -- Christianity -- History -- Sources
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Religious aspects -- Sources
- Draft -- United States -- History -- Sources
- Methodist Church -- Political activity -- History -- Sources
- Conscientious objection -- Societies, etc. -- History -- Sources
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Conscientious Objectors -- Sources
- Publisher
- Swarthmore College Peace Collection
- Access Restrictions
-
None.
- Copyright owned by the organization may have been transferred to the Swarthmore College Peace Collection. Copyright to all other materials is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
- Use Restrictions
-
None.
Collection Inventory
General: Relationship with NSBRO (National Service Board for Religious Objectors).
Box DG 048: 1
General: Meeting minutes, 1941 (January) - 1944 (January).
Box DG 048: 1
General: Conference on conscientious objector matters, New York (New York), 1944 (November 2).
Box DG 048: 1
General: Conference on the conscientious objector, New York (NY), May 14, ____.
Box DG 048: 1
General: Publicity-Information Conference, Washington (DC), 1944 (January 12).
Box DG 048: 1
General: Correspondence with Committee members, 1941-1947.
Box DG 048: 1
General: Financial records and correspondence, 1942-1945.
Box DG 048: 1
General: Financial records and correspondence: Administration of funds for National Service Board for Religious Objectors given by denominations [includes other subjects as well], Work in office by conscientious objector Grover Hartman, 1941.
Box DG 048: 1
Scope and Contents
[note: most of the files from here on were generated by Grover Hartman]
General: Reports.
Box DG 048: 1
General: Writings of Grover Hartman.
Box DG 048: 1
General: Correspondence, 1941-1944.
Box DG 048: 1
General: Correspondence with Roland Bainton, 1944 (April - May).
Box DG 048: 1
General: Correspondence with government officials, 1944-1946.
Box DG 048: 2
General: Correspondence, 1945-1946.
Box DG 048: 2
General: Correspondence, etc. re: literature requests.
Box DG 048: 2
General: Correspondence, etc. re: production of and orders for pamphlet "The Church and Returning Conscientious Objectors" [file includes copy of pamphlet].
Box DG 048: 2
Correspondence, etc. With Denominations/Groups: Miscellaneous denominations/churches.
Box DG 048: 2
Correspondence, etc. With Denominations/Groups: American Baptist Home Mission.
Box DG 048: 2
Correspondence, etc. With Denominations/Groups: American Civil Liberties Union's National Committee on Conscientious Objectors.
Box DG 048: 2
Correspondence, etc. With Denominations/Groups: American Friends Service Committee, 1943-1946.
Box DG 048: 2
Correspondence, etc. With Denominations/Groups: American Friends Service Committee re: Civilian Public Service.
Box DG 048: 2
Correspondence, etc. With Denominations/Groups: Brethren Service Committee, 1945-1946.
Box DG 048: 2
Correspondence, etc. With Denominations/Groups: Congregational Christian Churches.
Box DG 048: 2
Correspondence, etc. With Denominations/Groups: Civilian Public Service Union.
Box DG 048: 2
Correspondence, etc. With Denominations/Groups: Disciples of Christ (United Christian Mission Society), 1942-1945.
Box DG 048: 2
Correspondence, etc. With Denominations/Groups: Episcopal Church.
Box DG 048: 2
Correspondence, etc. With Denominations/Groups: Evangelical Church.
Box DG 048: 2
Correspondence, etc. With Denominations/Groups: Evangelical and Reformed Church.
Box DG 048: 2
Correspondence, etc. With Denominations/Groups: Fellowship of Reconciliation, 1943-1946.
Box DG 048: 2
Correspondence, etc. With Denominations/Groups: Mennonite Central Committee, 1945-1946.
Box DG 048: 3
Correspondence, etc. With Denominations/Groups: Methodist Church.
Box DG 048: 3
Correspondence, etc. With Denominations/Groups: National Service Board for Religious Objectors, 1941-1946.
Box DG 048: 3
Correspondence, etc. With Denominations/Groups: National Service Board for Religious Objectors: Form letters received.
Box DG 048: 3
Correspondence, etc. With Denominations/Groups: Presbyterian Church, 1943-1944.
Box DG 048: 4
Correspondence, etc. With Denominations/Groups: Veterans League of America.
Box DG 048: 4
Correspondence, etc. With Denominations/Groups: War Resisters League.
Box DG 048: 4
Correspondence, etc. re: conscientious objector Subjects: Amnesty for conscientious objectors, 1945-1946.
Box DG 048: 4
Correspondence, etc. re: conscientious objector Subjects: Amnesty for conscientious objectors: Correspondence with denominations/churches.
Box DG 048: 4
Correspondence, etc. re: conscientious objector Subjects: Civilian bonds, 1942.
Box DG 048: 4
Correspondence, etc. re: conscientious objector Subjects: Classification of conscientious objectors.
Box DG 048: 4
Correspondence, etc. re: conscientious objector Subjects: conscientious objector cases: Charles E.S. Ridgway, 1943.
Box DG 048: 4
Correspondence, etc. re: conscientious objector Subjects: conscientious objector cases: Clyde W. Summers, 1945.
Box DG 048: 4
Correspondence, etc. re: conscientious objector Subjects: Dependents of conscientious objectors.
Box DG 048: 4
Correspondence, etc. re: conscientious objector Subjects: Detached service.
Box DG 048: 4
Correspondence, etc. re: conscientious objector Subjects: Job opportunities for demobilized conscientious objectors, 1945-1946.
Box DG 048: 4
Correspondence, etc. re: conscientious objector Subjects: Non-combatants, 1944-1945.
Box DG 048: 4
Correspondence, etc. re: conscientious objector Subjects: Parole and/or prison terms for conscientious objectors, 1943-1946.
Box DG 048: 4
Correspondence, etc. re: conscientious objector Subjects: Selective Service, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 4
Correspondence, etc. re: conscientious objector Subjects: Status of conscientious objectors, 1946.
Box DG 048: 5
Correspondence, etc. re: conscientious objector Subjects: Voluntary Service Projects.
Box DG 048: 5
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Chaplains and/or religious services in camps, 1943-1944.
Box DG 048: 5
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Form letters and lists re: pastoral visits to camps, 1944-1946.
Box DG 048: 5
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Finding pastors to visit camps, etc.
Box DG 048: 5
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Set-up or reports of pastoral visits to camps, 1944-1946.
Box DG 048: 5
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Pastors who declined to visit Civilian Public Service camps.
Box DG 048: 5
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #1-4.
Box DG 048: 5
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camp #5 (Colorado Springs, CO).
Box DG 048: 5
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #10-19 [none for #6-9].
Box DG 048: 5
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #20-26.
Box DG 048: 5
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #27-29.
Box DG 048: 5
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #30-39.
Box DG 048: 6
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #40-45.
Box DG 048: 6
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camp #46 (Big Flats, NY).
Box DG 048: 6
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #47-48.
Box DG 048: 6
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camp #49 (Philadelphia, PA).
Box DG 048: 6
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #50-51.
Box DG 048: 6
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camp #52 (Powellsville, MD).
Box DG 048: 6
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #53-59.
Box DG 048: 6
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #60-67.
Box DG 048: 6
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camp #68 (Norwich, CT).
Box DG 048: 6
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #69-75.
Box DG 048: 6
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camp #76 (Glendora, CA).
Box DG 048: 6
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #77-79.
Box DG 048: 6
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camp #80 (Lyons, NJ).
Box DG 048: 6
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #81-84.
Box DG 048: 6
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #85-89.
Box DG 048: 6
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #90-99.
Box DG 048: 6
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #100-103.
Box DG 048: 6
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #104-110.
Box DG 048: 6
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camp #111 (Mancos, CA).
Box DG 048: 6
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camp #111 (Mancos, CA): installing and removing Rev. Christian Kehl as camp chaplain, 1943.
Box DG 048: 6
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camp #111 (Mancos, CA): installing and removing Rev. Christian Kehl as camp chaplain, 1944.
Box DG 048: 7
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #112-114.
Box DG 048: 7
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camp #115 [human guinea pig experiment units].
Box DG 048: 7
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #116-119.
Box DG 048: 7
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #120-1927.
Box DG 048: 7
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camp #128 (Lapine, OR).
Box DG 048: 7
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camp #129 (Pennhurst, PA).
Box DG 048: 7
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camp #130 (Pownal, ME).
Box DG 048: 7
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camp #131 (Cherokee, IA).
Box DG 048: 7
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #132-134.
Box DG 048: 7
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camp #135 (Germfask, MI).
Box DG 048: 7
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service: Camps #136-140.
Box DG 048: 7
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service Subjects: Dairy testers and farms.
Box DG 048: 7
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service Subjects: Demobilization of conscientious objectors at camps, 1944-1946.
Box DG 048: 7
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service Subjects: Detached service [hospital service, farm work, etc.], 1942-1944.
Box DG 048: 7
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service Subjects: Evaluations of Civilian Public Service.
Box DG 048: 7
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service Subjects: Financial support for camps, 1943-1944.
Box DG 048: 7
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service Subjects: Frozen fund.
Box DG 048: 7
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service Subjects: Fundraising and denominational support for camps.
Box DG 048: 8
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service Subjects: Government-run camps.
Box DG 048: 8
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service Subjects: Human guinea pig experiments.
Box DG 048: 8
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service Subjects: Pay and workers comp.
Box DG 048: 8
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service Subjects: Race relations/policy at camps [includes survey].
Box DG 048: 8
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service Subjects: Special projects.
Box DG 048: 8
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service Subjects: Strikes at camps.
Box DG 048: 8
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service Subjects: Theological students in Civilian Public Service camps.
Box DG 048: 8
Correspondence, etc. re: Civilian Public Service Subjects: Training school conferences.
Box DG 048: 8
Reference: General.
Box DG 048: 8
Reference: Mailing lists.
Box DG 048: 8
Reference: Statements issued by denominations re: conscientious objectors and/or Civilian Public Service.
Box DG 048: 8
Reference: Statements issued by denominations re: conscientious objectors and/or Civilian Public Service: compilations.
Box DG 048: 9
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Reference: Lists re: conscientious objectors and Civilian Public Service [camps established; religious affiliation; etc.].
Box DG 048: 9
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Reference: Legislation affecting conscientious objectors.
Box DG 048: 9
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Reference: Court hearings / testimony of conscientious objectors.
Box DG 048: 9
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Universal Military Training / Peacetime Conscription, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Articles favoring conscription, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: General articles in file, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: List of pamphlets and articles opposing conscription on file, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Alternatives: universal abolition of conscription; attack on basic problems, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Congressional expressions, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Conscription and democracy, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Contrary to American way, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Step toward total regimentation, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: The American Legion favors total manpower mobilization, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Economic arguments, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Effects on world order and peace aims, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Effects on world organization (positive arguments), 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Negative effects on world order and peace aims, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Educational bodies -- opposed, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Expressions of youth groups, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Agricultural organizations -- opposed, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Labor groups -- opposed, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Relation to national defense, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Post-war military establishment, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: The moral issue, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Physical effects, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Public opinion polls, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Statements of religious bodies -- opposed, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Statements in behalf of compulsory training, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Statements favoring conscription, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Statements favoring training, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: General statements in opposition, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Service men on conscription [includes letter/s], 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Service men and veterans expressions [includes letter/s], 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Notes [of Hartman] etc. re: interviews, visits to Civilian Public Service camps etc., and conferences attended, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: conscientious objectors volunteer, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Japanese-Americans, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Governmental expressions on world organization, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Methodist Church, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Theological students, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Selective Service System on theological students, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Foreign service for conscientious objectors, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Draft information, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Popular expressions on world organization, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: American Civil Liberties Union and National Committee on Conscientious Objectors, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: For severe treatment of Axis powers, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Evangelical Church and conscientious objectors, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Legal status of conscientious objectors, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Church of the United Brethren in Christ, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Congregational Christian Church, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Reformed Church, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Catholics and conscientious objectors, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Germany, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: General observations on conscientious objectors, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: British and Canadian conscientious objectors, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Racial tensions, 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)
Scrapbook of Grover Hartman: Case of Henry Weber [Socialist conscientious objector], 1943-1945.
Box DG 048: 10
Scope and Contents
(1/2 box)