Presbyterian Historical Society
Published on Presbyterian Historical Society (https://www.history.pcusa.org)

Home > Printer-friendly > Guide to the Gayraud Wilmore Papers

Guide to the Gayraud Wilmore Papers

Descriptive Summary

Title
Gayraud Wilmore Papers
Inclusive Dates
1848-2019
Bulk Dates
1947-2019
Call Number
RG 526

Creator(s)

Wilmore, Gayraud S. (Gayraud Stephen), 1921-2020
Quantity
7.50 cubic feet (9 boxes)
Language
Materials in English
Restrictions on Access

Collection open for research

Digital Content

To browse this collection's digital materials visit Pearl. 

Materials marked "Digital" in the Collection Inventory may not be available on Pearl or in their entirety.

Repository
Presbyterian Historical Society, 425 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147-1516 USA

Biographical Note / Administrative History

Biographical Note

Gayraud Wilmore, a scholar of African American church history, was born on December 20, 1921 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in 1937. He holds degrees from Lincoln University, Temple University, and Drew University. Wilmore attended Lincoln University in 1938 before being drafted into the United States Army where he served with the all-Black 92nd Infantry division. Post World War II, he continued his education at Lincoln University and graduated in 1947 with a Bachelor of Arts. He went on to complete a Bachelor of Divinity at Lincoln University in 1950 and was ordained by the Presbytery of Philadelphia at Second Presbyterian Church in West Chester in June 1950. Wilmore served as pastor of Second Presbyterian Church for three years. During this time, Wilmore worked to desegregate the West Chester public school system and his son became the first Black student enrolled. 

Wilmore was a leader in Presbyterian Civil Rights activism. In 1953, he became the associate executive of the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Department of Social Education and Action and led social justice initiatives in this position for five years. He was named the first executive director of the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.'s Commission on Religion and Race (CORAR) in 1963. He traveled to Presbyterian churches to train pastors in how to organize protests and lobby for civil rights, and joined demonstrations throughout the South. Wilmore also helped found the National Conference of Black Churchmen in 1969 and was instrumental in the creation of the UPCUSA Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People in 1970. He served as the executive director of CORAR until 1972.

Wilmore also has a long and influential academic career. He became a leading scholar in Black theology, worked as a professor at six different seminaries, and lectured at colleges across the country. He served as a professor of social ethics, and the only African American professor, at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary from 1959 to 1963. He then taught social ethics at Boston University School of Theology from 1972 to 1974 and taught at Colgate Rochester Divinity School from 1974 until 1983. He was the dean of divinity at New York Theological Seminary from 1982 until 1987 when he moved to teach church history at the Interdenominational Theological Center. He stayed in this position until 1992. From 1995 to 1998, he taught at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Wilmore wrote or edited sixteen books throughout his career, including Black Religion and Black Radicalism: An Interpretation of the Religious History of African Americans, published in 1998. Gayraud Wilmore and his wife Lee Ella Wilmore retired to Washington D.C. in 2000.

Collection Overview

Correspondence, essays, and teaching files document Gayraud Wilmore’s work as a Presbyterian pastor and scholar of African American church history.

The Personal matters and correspondence series, 1947-2019, mostly consists of incoming and outgoing correspondence with Wilmore. This includes academic correspondence such as reference questions to Wilmore, letters from former students, and correspondence with publishers. Also included is personal correspondence with members of Wilmore’s family.

The series also contains biographical information, including Wilmore's resume, bibliography, statement of faith, and autobiographical recollections on his experiences in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). There are two folders of photographs which mostly contain portraits and candid shots of Gayraud and Lee Ella Wilmore.

The Writings, speeches, and sermons series, 1964-2015, consists entirely of material written and delivered by Wilmore. The writings include published articles, manuscript drafts, reports, and some addresses given at conferences. A substantial amount relates to race relations within the PC(USA). This includes Wilmore's essay “Color Us Presbyterian” and responses to it. Writings and reports on Black Presbyterian history that were collected, but not written by Wilmore are in Series III: Teaching and subject files, 1948-2017.

This series also contains one folder of sermons that Gayraud labeled as “special” before donating his papers. Most of these sermons are undated; included is Wilmore’s sermon “The Cosmic Cross.”

The Teaching and subject files series, 1848-2017, consists of photocopied articles, essays, and periodicals that Wilmore used for research when teaching or writing. Subject files labeled as “classes” contain syllabi, lecture notes, sources, and student papers from specific courses Wilmore taught, mostly at the Interdenominational Theological Center.

Also included in this series are subject files from organizations that Wilmore worked with such as Black Presbyterians United and the UPCUSA Commission on Religion and Race (CORAR). The folders on Black Presbyterians United contain correspondence, publications, and reports. The CORAR material mostly consists of copies of Wilmore’s reports as Executive Director. There is one folder related to Presbyterians in the Civil Rights Movement which includes documents from the Black Economic Development Conference and responses by the National Council of Churches to the Black Manifesto. Another folder contains correspondence related to “Is This New Wine?” which was a 1993 paper prepared by African American Presbyterians addressing whether or not to form a new denomination.

The Audiovisuals series, 1985-2011, consists of videocassettes, DVDs, and audiocassettes either created or collected by Wilmore. The series contains both published and unpublished recordings. The bulk of the recordings are of sermons and lectures given by Wilmore including lectures on the history of Black theology.

Also included is music that Wilmore collected, including his personal recordings of Tanzanian music. There is one audiocassette from a conference on the Presbyterian Church during the Civil Rights Movement held in 1995 in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Organization and Arrangement

The collection is arranged as follows:

SERIES I: PERSONAL MATTERS AND CORRESPONDENCE, 1947-2019

SERIES II: WRITINGS, SPEECHES AND SERMONS, 1964-2015

SERIES III: TEACHING AND SUBJECT FILES, 1848-2017

SERIES IV: AUDIOVISUALS, 1985-2011

Alternative Formats

To browse this collection's digitized materials visit Pearl.

Materials marked "Digital" in the Collection Inventory may not have been digitized in their entirety.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Received from Gayraud Wilmore in 2019.

Preferred Citation

Gayraud Wilmore Papers, RG 526, Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Catalog Headings

The following headings have been used to index the description of this collection in the society’s electronic catalog.

Personal Name Subject
Wilmore, Gayraud S. (Gayraud Stephen), 1921-
Corporate Subject
National Black Presbyterians United.
United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Commission on Religion and Race.
Topical Subject
Race relations--Religious aspects--Christianity.
African American clergy.
Genre-form
Correspondence. aat
Reports. aat
Subject files. local
Photographs. aat
Sound recordings. aat
Publications. aat
Sermons. aat

Collection Inventory

Box

Folder

Description

Alternative Formats

    
  SERIES I: PERSONAL MATTERS AND CORRESPONDENCE, 1947-2019 
    
11Awards and tributes (includes events honoring Wilmore), 1990-2019 
12Lincoln University Commencement address, 1947 
13Installation at Second Presbyterian Church (West Chester, PA) and farewell, 1950 and 1983 
14Biographical information (includes resumes and bibliography), 1968, 1994-2004, and undated 
15Statement of faith, 2001 and undated 
16Recollections (includes autobiographical accounts of Wilmore’s experiences in the PC(USA) and Angela Davis), 1960s and undated 
17Photographs, 1983-2015Digital
18Photographs, 1983-2015 
19Correspondence, cards (mostly Christmas and birthday), 2009-2018 and undated 
110-12Correspondence with family members, 1980s-2017 
113Correspondence with Douglas Clark, 2016-2017 
114-15Correspondence, publications and copyright, 1993-2017 
116Correspondence, fiction publications, 1991-1996 
117Correspondence, speaking engagements, 1994-2017 
118Correspondence, 1982-1996 
119Correspondence, 1991-1996 
120Correspondence, 1997 
121Correspondence, 1998-1999 
122Correspondence, 2000-2001 
    
21Correspondence, 2002-2003 
22Correspondence, 2004-2006 
23Correspondence, 2007-2011 
24Correspondence, 2012-2019 and undated 
    
  SERIES II: WRITINGS, SPEECHES, AND SERMONS, 1964-2015 
    
25Speech and writing notes, fiction writings, and research materials, 1987-2002 and undated 
26-7Miscellaneous writings and speeches, 1970s-1990s and undated 
28African American theological education, writings and speeches, 1970s-1980s 
29African American theological education, writings and speeches, 1990-2003 
210Black theology and the Black church, writings, 1968-1979 
211Black theology and the Black church, writings, 1980-1999 
212Black theology and the Black church, writings, 2000-2012 
213Black theology and the Black church, speeches, undated 
214Black theology and the Black church, speeches, 1960s-1980s 
215-16Black theology and the Black church, speeches, 1990-2006 
    
31Bicentennial of African American Presbyterians, speeches, 2007 
32Black Presbyterians United, speeches, 1981-2012 
33Caribbean theology, speeches, undated 
34Christianity and Crisis, published writings, 1985-1993 
35Christianity and race relations, writings and speeches, 1979-1981 
36Christianity and race relations, writings and speeches, 1981-1992 
36"Racism in Historical and Theological Perspective" speech given by Gayraud S. Wilmore, December 3, 1992Digital
37Commencement addresses and other speeches given at seminaries, 1966-2015 
38“Higher Education” manuscript, undated 
39-10“Hoppergrass in the Subway” manuscript, circa 1994 
311-12Martin Luther King Jr., writings, speeches, and collected resources, 1964-1986 and 2015 
313“Pragmatic Spirituality: Th Christian Faith Through Africentric Lens,” correspondence and notes, 2002-2007 
314Presbyterian Church and race relations, writings and reports, 1986-2000  
314"'Color Us Presbyterian:' The Challenge of Anti-Racism and Diversity in the Future of the PC(USA)" by Gayraud Wilmore, circa 2000Digital
315Presbyterian Church and race relations, speeches, 1970s-1980s 
316Presbyterian Church and race relations, speeches, 1990s-2010 
317-18“Prophesying to Pharaoh: How One Group of Church Leaders View Their Successes and Failures in the Civil Rights Movement” manuscript, circa 1995 
319Tributes, 1998-2013 
    
41Sermons, 1965-1979 
42Sermons, 1981-1997 
43Sermons, 2001-2009 
44Sermons labeled special by Wilmore, undated 
45-9Sermons, undated 
    
  SERIES III: TEACHING AND SUBJECT FILES, 1848-2017 
    
410African American history, sources, 1967-2013 
411African American Methodist movement, sources, 1970-1984 
412Baptists in the Bahamas (includes correspondence re: Amos Williams), 1973-1982 
413The Black church and gender, sources, circa 1990 
414Black Evangelical Christianity, sources, 1992 
415Black Presbyterian history, sources and lectures, 1848, 1896-1956 
416Black Presbyterian history, sources and lectures, 1960-1979 
417Black Presbyterian history, sources and lectures, 1980-1989 
    
51Black Presbyterian history, sources and lectures, 1990-2016 
52Presbyterians in the Civil Rights Movement, 1969-1995, 2005 
53Black Theology Consultations and Atlanta Area Black Scholars in Religion, 1973-1997 
54African American theological education, 1977-2006 
55Historically Black theological seminaries writing project, 2004-2018 
56Black Presbyterians United report to the session, 1977Digital
56National Black Presbyterian Caucus mission design, 1987Digital
56-7Black Presbyterians United, 1970-1999 and undated 
58Black Presbyterians United, 2001-2008 
59Black Presbyterians United, 2010-2011 
510Black Presbyterians United, 2012-2013 
511Black Presbyterians United, 2014-2015 
512Black Presbyterians United Social Justice Committee, 2003-2005 
513Black religious history and theology, sources, 1859-1957 
514Black religious history and theology, sources, 1969-1989 
515Black religious history and theology, sources, 1990-2017 
    
61-3Allan Boesak manuscript, “The Divine Favour of the Unworthy: Probing New Frontiers in Black Liberation Theology," 2011 
64The Children's Equitation Center, 2003 
65Class: Black religion in the 20th century and history of the Black church, 1989-1991 
66Class: Black theology, 1993 
67-10Class: Black religious history, lectures, primary sources, and secondary sources, 1965-1998 
611-14Classes: African American church history, 1997, 2000, 2001, and 2001-2002 
615Commission on Religion and Race (CORAR), 1964-1968 and 2006 
616Dr. Warren Dennis manuscript, “Go Ye Back Into the World” 
616General Assemblies, minutes and reports, 1967-2010 
617-18Roswith Gerloff correspondence and papers, 1997-2010 
    
71History of Christianity and interfaith dialogue, sources, 1997-2011 
72-3History of Christianity in Africa, indigenous religions of Africa, and African history, sources, 1948-2002 
74“Is This New Wine?” correspondence (includes Dr. Warren Dennis manuscript, “Go Ye Back Into the World: The Challenges of 'New Wine' to Theological Education"), 1993-2003  
75-6Lecture notes and worksheets, circa 1990s 
77National Capital Presbytery, 2007 
78National Committee of Black Churchmen, 1969-1976 
79Barrack Obama election and presidency (includes letter from Wilmore to the president), 2008-2015  
710Pan-African Christian Church Conference and the African Coptic Orthodox Church, 1988 
711PC(USA) African American Church Growth Strategy, 2008 
712Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley mission visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2003 
713Programs from events and memorials, 1978-2016 
714Protestant church history lectures, circa 1990s 
715Race and the Pentecostal movement, sources, 1970-1984 
716Research notes, 1981 and undated 
717Sexuality and the Presbyterian Church, 1998-2006 
718Society for the Study of Black Religion, 1995-1999, 2009 
    
719Theological Education in the 21st Century conference at Johnson C. Smith Seminary, 2011 April 
720Dennis Wayne Wiley dissertation “The Concept of the Church in the Works of Howard Thurman," Union Theological Seminary, 1988 
721Workshops taught by Wilmore (includes Presbyterian racism workshop), 1970-1996 
722World Council of Churches, 1975-2009 
    
  SERIES IV: AUDIOVISUALS, 1985-2011 
    
81Videocassette: Gayraud Wilmore lecture, “The Significance of Bishop Henry McNeal Turner for us Today” at NYTS, 1988 March 30 (50 minutes)Digital
82Videocassette: Gayraud Wilmore lecture “Black Theology: Historical Review and Assessment,” 1989 
83Videocassette: Gayraud Wilmore JITC Awards Event, 1994 March 23 
84Videocassette: Gayraud S. Wilmore Community Learning House and the Lee Wilmore Technology Center dedication 
85Videocassette: Lecture (Copy), 1987 October 26 
86Videocassette: How to Make the Bible Come Alive in the African American Church, 1999 July 
87Videocassette: “Looking for Diamonds” Reunion of Reunions the Office of Racial Ethnic Schools and Colleges 
88Videocassette: The Presbyterian Church of East Africa – Two Congregations in Dar es SalaamDigital
89Videocassette: Meet the Presbyterian Church of East African in TanzaniaDigital
810Videocassette: Rev. Dr. William L. Banks, Black Theology (I Corinthians 1:26:29), 1994 January 30 
811DVD: Erica Wilmore, Christmas Eve Service: The Nativity, 2006 
812DVD: Gayraud Wilmore interview, 2007 May 31 
813DVD: Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church (Washington D.C.), Reverend Juan P. Guthrie, 103rd Homecoming Celebration Hymn fest, 2011 October 23 
814DVD: Mary Grace Rogers “Come Sunday” 
815DVD: America beyond the Color Line, “In Our Footsteps” video collection published by the African American Heritage Institute 
    
91-3Audiocassette: Gayraud S. Wilmore lectures in Georgia and California 
94Audiocassette: Gayraud Wilmore MLK Jr. lecture, 2000 
95Audiocassette: Beginning of lecture by Wilmore 
96Audiocassette: Gayraud Wilmore, “Theological Reflections from a Black Perspective,” 1985 November 30 
97Audiocassette: Gayraud Wilmore, “The Greater Works Are in Our Hands,” 1994 January 23 
98Audiocassette: Gayraud Wilmore lecture at clergy workshop, National Convocation, 1990 August 9-10 
99Audiocassette: Gayraud Wilmore and Rev. Calvin Rice, First Central Baptist Church 
910Audiocassette: Presbyterian Church During Civil Rights Movement – Conference: Atlanta GA, Day 1 Tape 3, 1995 August 17 
911-13Audiocassette: Church Street Cumberland Presbyterian Church sermons “Some Lessons from Jonah,” Dr. Mitchell M. Walker and Endia Scruggs, 2007 September  
914Audiocassette: “Pulpit Exchange” Abyssinian Baptist Church the Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III and Dr. Thomas K. Tewell Senior Pastor Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church 
915Audiocassette: Trinity United Church of Christ Sanctuary Choir 
916Audiocassette: Tanzanian music, March 18, 1991 
917Audiocassette: Medley of old favorites from our collection 

 


Source URL: https://www.history.pcusa.org/collections/research-tools/guides-archival-collections/rg-526