Paul R. Koontz Papers

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.