J. Alfred Smith papers, 1902-2022

Using These Materials Teaser

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:
Access note. Some materials in this collection are fragile audiovisual/photographic formats that may need to be reformatted before use. Contact Research Services for access. Access note. Some...
More about accessing and using these materials...

Summary

Creator:
Smith, J. Alfred (James Alfred)
Abstract:
Reverend Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr. is a Black minister who served as Senior Pastor at Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, CA for several decades. He also taught for many years at the American Baptist Seminary of the West (now Berkeley School of Theology). This collection contains recorded and written sermons, teaching materials, event files, and other papers that document Smith's pastoral and teaching career. Materials in the collection document Smith's work to bridge denominational, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic divides in California and throughout the United States. Acquired as part of the John Hope Franklin Research Center for African and African American History and Culture.
Extent:
32.25 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials in English.
Collection ID:
RL.12064

Background

Scope and content:

The J. Alfred Smith papers consist of personal and teaching materials, writings and works, event files, and sermons. The bulk of the collection dates from the 1980s and 1990s and is comprised of Smith's sermons, both written and recorded, as well as related materials such as event files. The written and recorded sermons, as well as Smith's sermon notebooks, were delivered by Smith at Allen Temple Baptist Church and at the many events to which he was invited during his pastoral career. Event files typically consist of correspondence, travel arrangements, programs, and sermon- or speech-related ideas and notes for the events. Prominent in the event files is Marjorie H. Lawson, Smith's executive assistant at Allen Temple, who coordinated and managed his many activities. Smith's sermons and the events he attended document his work to bridge denominational, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic divides in California and throughout the United States.

The rest of the collection consists of writings and works by Smith and by others, as well as personal and teaching materials. Teaching materials are typically syllabi, course proposals, and related items that document Smith's work as an educator at various seminaries, including Fuller Theological Seminary and the American Baptist Seminary of the West. Smith taught courses on preaching, pastoral work, and African American Christianity. Select course readings can be found in the Writings and Works series. Also included in the Writings and Works series are pieces that served as reference or inspiration for some of Smith's sermons, as well as articles and publications that Smith himself authored. Personal materials in the collection include biographical information about Smith, awards, a small amount of correspondence, calendars, and a few documents from Allen Temple Baptist Church.

Biographical / historical:

Reverend Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr. served as Senior Pastor of Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, California, for several decades. Born in Kansas City in 1931 to Amy Gates Smith and Clyde Anderson, Smith graduated from R.T. Coles High School and went on to earn degrees from Western Baptist College, the Missouri School of Religion, American Baptist Seminary of the West (Master of Theology in American Religious History) and Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (Doctor of Urban Ministry). Smith served as acting dean of the American Baptist Seminary of the West (now Berkeley School of Theology), and as area representative for the American Baptist Churches of the Ministers' and Missionaries Benefit Board. He was the 12th president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC) and a president of the American Baptist Churches of the West (ABCW). Known for his sermons, Smith was named one of the top 15 greatest Black preachers by Ebony Magazine in 1993.

Source: "Pastoral Team," Allen Temple Baptist Church website (accessed November 10, 2023).

Acquisition information:
The J. Alfred Smith papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift from J. Alfred Smith, Sr. in 2022.
Processing information:

Audiovisual materials processed by Craig Breaden and Lou Bennett, May 2023 and August 2023.

Processed by Leah Tams, November 2023.

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2023-0011.

Arrangement:

Arranged into five series: Personal Materials; Teaching Materials; Writings and Works; Events; Sermons.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Access note. Some materials in this collection are fragile audiovisual/photographic formats that may need to be reformatted before use. Contact Research Services for access.

Access note. Some materials in this collection are electronic records that require special equipment. Contact Research Services with questions.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the Rubenstein Library's Citations, Permissions, and Copyright guide.

Before you visit:
Please consult our up-to-date information for visitors page, as our services and guidelines periodically change.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], J. Alfred Smith papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1pn01