This collection documents the professional life of Paul Bentley Kern as a pastor, educator and bishop for the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (1844-1939) and later for the Methodist Church (1939-1968). At the end of this collection the researcher will find various ministerial credentials awarded to Kern and his forbearers.

The manuscripts include sermons (with and without Biblical texts), addresses, and publications which offer a diversity of interests and commitments that shaped Kern's ministry. Major topics of concerns include a strong anti-war stance in both World Wars (though most of the information is centered on World War I), ethics in business, labor, church union in 1939, the Advance, Crusade for Christ, jazz, as well as systematic and practical theological issues, role of the church in America and the world, America as a steward of the world's wealth and resources, temperance, organization of the Korean Methodist Church, and Methodism. Christian education, sociology, matriculation addresses, Reformation Sunday, missions with an emphasis on China round out the rest of the topics. Kern considered all these areas as major forces which could and should shape the ever changing world in the early and middle twentieth century. . Part of the materials include addresses which were part of the Cole Lectures which he delivered at Vanderbilt University in 1935.

Administrative records include correspondence, telegraphs, reports, annual conference materials, and the Council of Bishops. The correspondence segment is centered on congratulatory remarks in the form of letters (1930) and telegrams (1930) which Kern received upon his election to the episcopacy. One of the reports relates to his trips to the Orient where he served his first term as a bishop for the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. There are a small number of field reports from Orient as well. Clippings make up most of Florida, Holston and Tennessee Annual Conferences folder with emphasis on Kern's Episcopal administration in the Tennessee area. There are also a few items relating to China.

This collection primarily documents the work and ministry of the Evangelical Church's annual conferences and local churches from the middle nineteenth century to the middle twentieth century. To a lesser degree there are records that reflect the ministry of the general church as well. There are other records that pertain to filial denominations such as the Evangelical Association, United Evangelical Church, Church of the United Brethren in Christ (United Brethren Church), and the Evangelical United Brethren Churches are also found in this collection. Leedy was an avid collector of church related information so that the topical landscape of this collection is broad enough to cover information ranging from local church ministries and histories to denominational theological beliefs and social concerns. Most of the paper records center on church work in the Ohio region though not to the exclusion of other geographic areas within the continental United States and Germany. All in all this collection provides a nice overview of the diversified life within the Evangelical tradition and is an excellent resource for those who wish to understand more fully the Evangelical Church's historical influence within the ongoing traditions of United Methodism.

This collection contains materials from the ministry of Rev. Barbara Troxell from 1980-2009. The collection is divided into three series. The first series contains materials from retreats that Troxell led along with sermons and other lecture materials. The second series contains materials and interviews Troxell conducted with United Methodist bishops and clergywomen about the concept of ministerial authority for an unpublished book. The interviews have been restricted from the public. The final series contains general materials from events Troxell attended, clippings, and other research material and notes from her ministry.

Sauer's correspondence, and the manuscript and supporting documents for his unpublished "Methodists in Korea," make up the bulk of the collection. These materials document Methodist Episcopal mission work during Sauer's tenure in Korea, including the evacuation of missionary personnel in 1940, and their return in 1945. This was a critical transition phase for the Korean Methodist Church (KMC) as they struggled for power and control during the heightened Japanese control over churches in Korea, and then rebuilt after the war. There is also considerable material covering state of missions and the KMC during the invasion of South Korea in 1950. Photographs and publications nicely supplement this part of the collection.

The Bishop William Burt Collection is an excellent documentary on the life and work of a pioneer minister within the Methodist Episcopal Church. In this collection we see the pathos and commitment Burt and his family brought to the work of the church, especially in Europe. These records illuminate his varying roles as clergyperson, presiding elder, bishop, and family member. Well liked by most, Burt was an influential person within the denomination throughout his career.

Records from his wife, Helen, and daughter Edith are located here, as well. The collection shows the historical and sociological involvement Burt had with the life, events, and politics of Europe, the United States, and the rest of the world. This involvement covered society from its lowest common denominator all the way through and including the very top of the social ladder. Burt was a world traveler and the collection sheds light on Methodist Episcopal work around the globe. This is especially true in the correspondence, diaries, and photograph series. Besides reflecting Burt's ministry in Europe, there are significant records concerning his work in the United States. Other notable personalities are also included

Early missionaries to Europe, especially to Russia, have primary documents located here as well. Many of Italy's leading Methodists such as the Taglialatela family have both published and handwritten materials within the collection. Records by other bishops such as Vincent and Bast are interspersed throughout the first section. Another area which is documented is Burt's commitment to the ongoing work of the Jerusalem Home which was started by Bishop J. P. Newman. There is a sizeable amount of records pertaining to the Crandon Institute in Rome, as well.

Seven printed volumes of sermons and addresses, and copies of Bishop Werner's published pamphlets and booklets make up the bulk of the collection.

This collection contains a copy of the Evangelical Missionary Speaker, which was compiled by George Edward Epp. This fifty-four page booklet contains missionary poems, readings, and exercises prepared for programs on Children's Day and Foreign Day. It was published and distributed by the Missionary Society of the Evangelical Church in Dayton, Ohio. The collection also includes two additional items in German. The first is a hand-drawn booklet depicting the work of the Sunday School . The second item is a photo album depicting the buildings and leaders of the Berlin-Christuskirche.

This collection contains dairies, stereoscopic photographs, correspondence, clippings, bulletins, pamphlets, and publications relating to the work and ministry of Newton Tennis Gottschall. One of the diaries, written while in Indonesia, is from Charlotte Agnes Swank Gottschall.

The Luddwell Hunter Estes Papers contains the assorted papers, photographs, and writings of Ludd Estes. Together these materials document the life work of Mr. Estes and represent the variety of positions he held within the denomination.

This collection contains John Kiracofe's notes about various ministers and church histories. A great deal of this material deals with genealogy. There are photographs and negatives depicting the Deardroff home, Anson Brazee, and Bertha E. Deardroff . There is a booklet by Bertha E. Deardorff about her own family genealogy. Pamphlets, bulletins and newspaper clippings about the EUB church are also included. The collection contains a short play written by Thelma Moyer Starner, event programs from the Pennsylvania Conference, a publication titled The Chatterbox and two certificates.