Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1911-1954 (Creation)
Extent
1.67 cubic feet
Name of creator
Biographical history
Paul R. Koontz (1890-1954) was an Evangelical United Brethren minister and editor. He graduated from Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania in 1911 and completed theological studies at Bonebrake Seminary in Ohio in 1914. Koontz became a member of the Pennsylvania Annual Conference in 1909. He married Elizabeth Lau.
After graduation, he returned to Pennsylvania to serve a few months in Carlisle. He was then assigned to Myersville, Maryland. Koontz also served in Mechanicsburg (1919-1925) and Baltimore (1925-1941). In 1941 the General Conference elected him editor of youth publications. While working as editor, he also was a member of the Department of Christian Education.
Koontz served on several boards of his conference, including Conference Trustees, Council of Administration, and Christian Education. He was on the Board of Trustees of Lebanon Valley College, in Lebanon Valley, Pennsylvania and United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Six times Koontz was elected a delegate to General Conference. He served on the committee on audio-visual material and the committee of uniform lessons of the National Council of Churches. Koontz was a popular speaker throughout the conference.
One of Koontz's major contributions to the church was the Pennsylvania Conference Choir, which he organized in 1930. He was director of this choir for fifteen years. He was also known for his effective and efficient pastoral services.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
This collection contains sermons by Paul R. Koontz. There are approximately 1,800 sermons. The sermons were handwritten or typed on small pieces of paper or note cards. Most of the sermons have notations on them regarding when and where the sermon was preached. There are a few other items in this collection. One folder contains a few notes on Bible chapters and themes. There is also a folder of hymns and poems Koontz used to supplement his sermons. Finally, there are eight church bulletins in this collection. These are dated 1918-1931.
System of arrangement
This collection is arranged by series.
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
There are no restrictions regarding this collection.
Physical access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Detailed use restrictions relating to our collections can be requested from the office of the archivist at the General Commission on Archives and History. Photocopying is handled by the staff and may be limited in certain instances. Before using any material for publication from this collection a formal request for permission to publish is expected and required.
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related descriptions
Notes element
General note
When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, Paul R. Koontz Papers, United Methodist Church Archives - GCAH, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the item's call number as that is not a stable descriptor.
Specialized notes
Alternative identifier(s)
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Sources used
Archivist's note
Prepared by Kristen Turner, Associate Archivist
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Evangelical United Brethren Church (Subject)