Scope and Contents
The James W. Baar Papers, 1965-1968, center around Baar’s efforts to raise funds for the construction of a gymnasium for the Southern Normal School in Brewton, Alabama. As chairman of the Brewton gym fund campaign, Baar asked 236,000 RCA members to contribute one dollar for the gym’s construction. Pamphlets, relevant magazine and newspaper clippings, and progress reports trace Baar’s efforts towards construction of the gymnasium. Also included is a history of Southern Normal School, correspondence between Baar and other churches, donation forms, and letters of encouragement. Photographs show Southern Normal School, its students, the groundbreaking ceremony for the gymnasium construction, and the completed gymnasium.
Dates
- 1938 - 1968
Biography
James William Baar was born March 29, 1921, in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Chicago Christian High School, then from Hope College in 1942. After receiving his B.D. degree from Western Theological Seminary in 1945, he was licensed and ordained as a minister. Baar served as a United States Navy Chaplain during the last months of World War II and as a pastor at Maplewood (Holland, Michigan), First (Denver, Colorado), Second (Wyckoff, NewJersey), and Fellowship (Lombard, Illinois) and Grand Rapids. After retiring, he served part-time on the staff of Fellowship Reformed Church in Holland. In the 1960s, Baar served as Chairman of the Brewton Committee for the Board of North American Missions. His duties included fundraising for a new gymnasium at the Southern Normal School in Brewton, Alabama.
Baar passed away in Holland, Michigan, on November 28, 1999.
Extent
0.25 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Hope College class of 1942; Western Theological Seminary class of 1945 and an RCA minister. The collection includes materials from his mission to Brewton, Alabama, 1965-1968, and pamphlets, relevant magazine and newspaper clippings, and progress reports tracing Baar’s efforts towards construction of a gymnasium for Southern Normal School in Brewton, Alabama. Also includes history of Southern Normal School, correspondences between Baar and other churches, donation forms, letters of encouragement, and photographs of Southern Normal School, its students, groundbreaking ceremony for the gymnasium construction, and completed gymnasium.
Photographs
10 images
Provenance
James W. Baar
- Status
- Completed
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Hope College Archives and Special Collections Repository
Van Wylen Library
53 Graves Place
Holland Michigan 49423 United States
616-395-7798
archives@hope.edu
