Guide to the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations Secretaries' Files: Guatemala Mission

Descriptive Summary

Title

United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations Secretaries' Files: Guatemala Mission

Inclusive Dates

1911-1972

Call Number

RG 157

Creator(s)

United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations.

Quantity

7.00 cubic feet (7 boxes)

Language

Part of the collection, from about 1960 onward, contains a great deal of material in Spanish, relatively little of which has been translated

Restrictions on Access

Open for research.

Repository

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

Biographical Note / Administrative History

Administrative History

Presbyterian mission work in Guatemala began in 1882, at the request of and with the financial support of the liberal government of Justo Ruffino Barrios. The Reverend and Mrs. John Hill were the first missionaries to Guatemala, opening a mission station in Guatemala City. In 1898, a second mission station was established in Quezaltenango, despite considerable local opposition.

The PCUSA's work in Guatemala was educational, evangelistic and medical in nature. Though the mission was limited to two stations, it succeeded in organizing a number of churches. In 1936, the Synod of the Evangelical Church in Guatemala was formed, incorporating the work of five denominational missions, including the PCUSA.

Educational work began in 1883 and resulted in the founding of several schools, notably La Patria Girls' School (established 1913) and the Norton Hall Industrial School for Boys (1929). Medical work began in 1906, and the Hospital Americano was opened in 1913 in Guatemala City. The work of the Guatemala Mission was absorbed by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Guatemala in 1962.

Collection Overview

RG 157 contains the Secretaries' Files of the Board of Foreign Missions for the Guatemala Mission, 1911-1958, and the records from COEMAR, 1958-1972. It contains minutes, correspondence and reports. The records reflect the missionaries' concern for the medical, educational and spiritual needs of the Guatemalan people as well as their close rapport. The papers likewise reflect the rather unique historical, geographical, cultural, and economic factors that have contributed to the development of the Guatemalan nation. The 1917 earthquake and the subsequent rehabilitation efforts are extensively documented.

Organization and Arrangement

SERIES 1: MISSION MINUTES, 1911-1971 (BOX 1)

SERIES 2: AMERICAN HOSPITAL MINUTES, 1956-1958 (BOX 1)

SERIES 3: MISSIONARY REPORTS, 1913-1970 (BOX 2)

SERIES 4: GENERAL REPORTS, 1950-1972 (BOX 2)

SERIES 5: MISSION STATION REPORTS, 1911-1950 (BOX 2)

SERIES 6: MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS, 1927-1960 (BOX 2)

SERIES 7: MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE, 1926-1964 (BOX 3)

SERIES 8: BOARD LETTERS TO MISSIONS, 1914-1955 (BOX 3-4)

SERIES 9: EXECUTIVE CORRESPONDENCE, 1926-1972 (BOX 4)

SERIES 10: SPECIAL EXECUTIVE CORRESPONDENCE, 1948-1956 (BOX 4)

SERIES 11: INSTITUTIONAL CORRESPONDENCE, 1959-1970 (BOX 5)

SERIES 12: CORRESPONDENCE, 1913-1971 (BOX 5)

SERIES 13: CABLES, 1924-1972 (BOX 5)

SERIES 14: APPROPRIATIONS/ESTIMATES/BUDGETS, 1930-1971 (BOX 5)

SERIES 15: CORRESPONDENCE (CALENDARED LETTERS), 1915-1925 (BOX 6)

SERIES 16: MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE, 1911-1972 (BOX 6)

SERIES 17: SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE (DONALD R. FLETCHER), 1939-1969 (BOX 7)

SERIES 18: STATISTICS, 1911-1959 (BOX 7)

Administrative Information

Processing Information

Numbering of folders within this RG begins with 1 at the beginning of each series rather than each box, creating multiple folders with the same numbers within a box. The researcher must therefore specify the series, not just the box and folder number, when requesting materials.

The researcher should be advised that part of the collection, from about 1960 onward, contains a great deal of material in Spanish, relatively little of which has been translated.

Before 1940, the BFM used a classification scheme for its records. The researcher will see hyphenated numbers on the documents in the collection. The following is a guide to the numbers after the hypen:

1 Minutes, estimates, appropriations
2 Reports--station, educational, narrative, etc.
3 Corespondence with those who were not regular missionaries
4 Cables
5 Letters from the BFM to the various missions (numbered)
6 Correspondence with mission secretary
7 Personal labor reports
8 Statistical summaries
9 Property
10 Correspondence with mission personel. At times each correspondent was given a number so the numbers continued beyond 11.

Collection processed: 1982
Robert Goldstein and Frederick J. Heuser, Jr, Assistant Archivist

Finding Aid prepared: 1982
Frederick J. Heuser, Jr, Assistant Archivist

Finding aid revised: May 1992
Stephanie Muntone, Processing Archivist

Catalog Headings

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

Personal Name Subject

Fletcher, Donald R. (Donald Rodgers), 1919---Correspondence.

Corporate Subject

Hospital Americano (Guatemala, Guatemala)

Topical Subject

Missions--Guatemala.

Hospitals--Guatemala.

Education--Guatemala.

Geographic Subject

Guatemala (Guatemala)--Church history.

Quezaltenango (Guatemala)--Church history.

Genre-form

Correspondence. aat

Financial records. aat

Minutes (administrative records) aat

Reports. aat

Corporate Added Name

Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Board of Foreign Missions.

United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Guatemala Mission.

Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Guatemala Mission.

Collection Inventory

Box	Folder	Description

1	1	Finding Aid to Record Group 157

		SERIES 1: MISSION MINUTES, 1911-1971

1	2	1911
1	3-5	1913-1915
1	6-56	1917-1967
1	57-58	1970-1971

		SERIES 2: AMERICAN HOSPITAL MINUTES, 1956-1958

1	1-4	1956-1958 (1958 in Spanish)

		SERIES 3: MISSIONARY REPORTS, 1913-1970

2	1-2	1913-1914
2	3-30	1917-1944
2	31-38	1946-1953
2	39	1955
2	40-42	1957-1959
2	43-50	1962-1970

		SERIES 4: GENERAL REPORTS, 1950-1972

2	1-16	1950-1966
2	17-19	1968-1970
2	20	1972

		SERIES 5: MISSION STATION REPORTS, 1911-1950

2	1	1911
2	2	1913
2	3	1920
2	4	1929
2	5-8	1931-1934
2	9	1939
2	10	1942
2	11	1944
2	12	1950

		SERIES 6: MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS, 1927-1960

2	1	Confidential Report (Indian work in Guatemala), 1947
2	2	American Hospital: Deputation report (1959); Annual Report (1960), 1959-1960
2	3	Mam Christian Center (in Spanish and in English), 1960
2	4	Mam Christian Center: Report/Institutional Correspondence, 1960
2	5	Guatemala Deputation Correspondence, 1927-1929
2	6	Deputation Report to Guatemala, 1928
2	7-8	Deputation Report to Guatemala, 1940
2	9	Deputation Report to Guatemala, 1959
2	10	Findings of the Central American Evangelical Congress, 1941

		SERIES 7: MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE, 1926-1964

3	1-26	1926-1950
3	27-30	1952-1956
3	31	1958
3	32-33	1960-1961
3	34-35	1963-1964

		SERIES 8: BOARD LETTERS TO MISSIONS, 1914-1955

3	1-3	1914-1917
3	4-23	1919-1938

4	24-40	1939-1955

		SERIES 9: EXECUTIVE CORRESPONDENCE, 1926-1972

4	1-48	1926-1972

		SERIES 10: SPECIAL EXECUTIVE CORRESPONDENCE, 1948-1956

4	1	Guatemalan Churches, 1948
4	2	Institutions, 1948
4	3	Rest Home, 1948
4	4	5 Year Plan, 1948
4	5	Property, 1949
4	6	Institutions, 1949
4	7	Guatemalan Seminar, 1949
4	8	Churches, 1950
4	9	Rest Home, 1950
4	10	Institutions, 1951
4	11	Central Church, 1951 (in Spanish)
4	12	Institutions, 1952
4	13	Guatemalan Industrial Farm Property, 1952
4	14	Private Schools in Guatemala, 1953
4	15	Institutions, 1953
4	16	Iglesia Evangelica, 1953 (in Spanish)
4	17	Institutions, 1955
4	18	Churches, 1956
4	19	Property, 1956

		SERIES 11: INSTITUTIONAL CORRESPONDENCE, 1959-1970

5	1	Miscellaneous, 1959
5	2	American Hospital, 1960
5	3	Miscellaneous Churches, 1960
5	4	Evangelical Presbyterian Synod of Guatemala, 1961
5	5	American Hospital, 1961
5	6	Presbyterian Seminary, 1961
5	7	Mam Christian Center, 1961
5	8	La Patria School, 1962
5	9	Mam Christian Center, 1962
5	10	American Hospital, 1962
5	11	Evangelical Presbyterian Synod of Guatemala, 1962
5	12	Mam Christian Center, 1963
5	13	American Hospital, 1963
5	14	Bilingual School, 1963
5	15	Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 1963 in Spanish)
5	16	Miscellaneous, 1963
5	17	American School, 1964
5	18	Mam Christian Center, 1964
5	19	Evangelical Presbyterian Synod, 1964
5	20	Miscellaneous, 1965
5	21	La Patria School, 1966
5	22	Evangelical University, 1966
5	23	Inter-American School, 1966 (some pre 1966)
5	24	Universidad Evangelica Dr. Mariano Galvez, 1967
5	25	Inter-American School, 1967
5	26	La Patria School, 1967
5	27	Miscellaneous, 1967
5	28	Miscellaneous, 1969
5	29	La Patria School, 1970

		SERIES 12: CORRESPONDENCE, 1913-1971

5	1	Rev/Mrs. McBath, 1913-1914
5	2	Rev/Mrs. E.E. Freed, 1915-1917
5	3	H. York, 1919-1920
5	4	Rev/Mrs. F.J. Hillis, 1929
5	5	Special correspondence, 1929 (see classification scheme)
5	6	Dr/Mrs. F.C. Pinkerton, 1941
5	7	Special correspondence, 1941
5	8	Special correspondence, 1947
5	9	Special missionary correspondence with audio-visual department, 1949
5	10	General correspondence, 1953
5	11	Special Missionary correspondence regarding T. Harnish, 1953-1954
5	12	General correspondence, 1954
5	13	Correspondence from Office of Literature and Publications, 1955
5	14	General correspondence, 1955
5	15	Diamond Jubilee Celebration, 1957
5	16	American Hospital, 1957
5	17	Guatemalan Churches, 1957
5	18	Institutions, 1958
5	19	American Hospital, 1958
5	20	Correspondence from/publication of Evangelico Presbiteriano de Guatemala, 1958
5	21	Good Will Caravan and miscellaneous items, 1959
5	22	Miscellaneous church correspondence, 1961
5	23	Miscellsneous correspondence, 1961
5	24	Guatemalan property, 1961
5	25	Miscellaneous church correspondence, 1962
5	26	Treasury correspondence, 1962
5	27	Treasury correspondence, 1963
5	28	Regarding Church properties, 1963
5	29	Miscellaneous church correspondence, 1963 (in Spanish)
5	30	Audio-Visual department, 1963
5	31	Miscellaneous Treasury correspondence, 1964
5	32	Princeton Theological Seminary, 1964
5	33	Belen Church, 1964
5	34	Treasury correspondence, 1965
5	35	Guatemalan church, 1965 (in Spanish)
5	36	Guatemala executive, 1965
5	37	Correspondence with Guatemalan nationals, 1965
5	38	Correspondence with Guatemalan missionaries, 1965
5	39	Guatemalan Properties, 1966
5	40	Miscellaneous churches, 1966 (in Spanish)
5	41	Dr. Mariano Galvez University, 1966
5	42	Guatemalan property, 1967
5	43	Guatemala National Church, 1967
5	44	Guatemala churches, 1967 (in Spanish)
5	45	Miscellaneous institutions, 1968
5	46	Ecumenical Mission Efforts, 1968
5	47	Guatemala National Church, 1968
5	48	Guatemala National Church, 1969
5	49	Miscellaneous correspondence, 1969
5	50	Guatemala Churches, 1970
5	51	Guatemala Churches, 1971 (in Spanish)

		SERIES 13: CABLES, 1924-1972

5	1	1924
5	2	1926
5	3-8	1928-1933
5	9-10	1935-1936
5	11-13	1938-1940
5	14-21	1947-1954
5	22	1964
5	23-25	1970-1972

		SERIES 14: APPROPRIATIONS/ESTIMATES/BUDGETS, 1930-1971

5	1	1930
5	2-5	1938-1941
5	6	1944
5	7-9	1950-1952
5	10-12	1955-1957
5	13-14	1959-1960
5	15-18	1962-1965
5	19-22	1968-1971

		SERIES 15: CORRESPONDENCE (CALENDARED LETTERS), 1915-1925

6	1-6	1911-1916
6	7-8	1916
6	9-17	1917-1925

		SERIES 16: MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE, 1911-1972

6	1	Correspondence from E.M. Haymaker, 1911-1919
6	2	Financial situation in Guatemala, 1914-1916
6	3	Mission press, 1914-1920
6	4	Boy's school, 1914-1922
6	5	Hospital Americano, 1916-1922
6	6	Cables regarding Guatemalan earthquake, 1917-1918
6	7	Mission Minutes, 1918 January-February
6	8	Reports regarding earthquake, 1918
6	9	Special executive correspondence regarding earthquake, 1918
6	10	Special Board letters to Guatemala Mission regarding earthquake, 1918
6	11	Projected estimates regarding reconstruction of Guatemala Mission, 1918-1919
6	12	Special executive correspondence regarding earthquake, 1919
6	13	Special Board letters to Guatemala Mission regarding earthquake, 1919
6	14	Special Board appropriations regarding Guatemala rehabilitation fund, 1920-1921
6	15	Correspondence regarding Guatemala appropriations, 1920-1923
6	16	Appropriations for La Patria School, 1920-1938
6	17	Correspondence regarding La Patria School, 1920-1944
6	18	Correspondence regarding Mission press, 1921-1947
6	19	Correspondence regarding Boy's school, 1922-1923
6	20	Correspondence regarding Boy's school, 1923
6	21	Missionary reports regarding La Patria school, 1923-1943 (incomplete)
6	22	Correspondence regarding Boy's school, 1924-1947
6	23	Cables regarding La Patria school, 1926-1930
6	24	Correspondence regarding Norton Hall School, 1935-1946
6	25	Correspondence regarding Guatemala Station Central Church dispute, 1946
6	26	Mission property lists, 1932
6	27	Mission property lists, 1938
6	28	Memorandum regarding Guatemala missionaries, 1951
6	29	Guatemala News Letter drafts, 1958
6	30	Presbyterian University Student Work in Guatemala: Evaluations and Recommendations, 1966
6	31	History of the Presbyterian Church in Guatemala: miscellaneous items, 1966
6	32	Miscellaneous educational items, 1966
6	33	Newsletters-Extension Seminary, 1970
6	34	Newsletters-Extension Seminary, 1971
6	35	Guatemalan Seminary Resource File, 1971
6	36	Miscellaneous items, 1972

		SERIES 17: SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE (DONALD R. FLETCHER), 1939-1969

7	1	History of Indian Work in Guatemala, 1939
7	2	Quiche Bible Institute: Correspondence, constitution, report, 1944-1969
7	3	Correspondence/reports regarding Mam Christian Center, 1950-1960
7	4	Reports regarding American School of Nursing, 1955-1958
7	5	General correspondence, 1956
7	6	Correspondence regarding Central Presbyterian Church, 1956
7	7	Miscellaneous items regarding Youth Program, 1956-1957
7	8	Miscellaneous items regarding La Patria School, 1956, 1959-1960
7	9	Correspondence regarding Sinodo Evangelico Presbiteriano, 1956-1960
7	10	Correspondence/By-laws regarding Guatemala Seminary, 1956-1960
7	11	Correspondence regarding La Patria School, 1956-1960
7	12	Board Actions, 1956-1960
7	13	Minutes-Sinodo Evangelico Presbiteriano, 1957-1958
7	14	Correspondence regarding Presbiteriano de Suchitepequez, 1957-1958
7	15	Correspondence miscellaneous items regarding Monte Sione Conference 1957-1958
7	16	Correspondence/reports, Presbyterian Joint Committee, 1957-1958
7	17	Guatemala Student Center: report, correspondence, constitution, 1957-1958
7	18	Correspondence regarding Women's Work Program, 1957-1959
7	19	Minutes, Presbyterian Joint Committee, 1957-1960
7	20	Miscellaneous draft notes, 1958
7	21	Questionnaire, Colegio La Cooperacion, 1960
7	22	Evangelical Synod of Guatemala: Miscellaneous items, 1962, 1966, 1968-1969
7	23	Miscellaneous items, 1962-1967 (in Spanish)
7	24	Guatemala Church relations summary statement, 1963
7	25	Confidential report regarding opportunities in rural health work in Guatemala, 1963-1964
7	26	Miscellaneous items regarding El Instituto Programa De Avance, 1963-1966
7	27	Proposal (?) regarding Edward Haymaker Center, 1966 (in Spanish)
7	28	Photographs, Quiche Bible Institute, 1969
7	29	Photographs, Mam Christian Center, undated

		SERIES 18: STATISTICS, 1911-1959

7	1-6	1911-1917
7	7-11	1919-1923
7	12-21	1925-1934
7	22	1942
7	23	1955, 1957, 1959

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Guide to the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations Secretaries' Files: Guatemala Mission

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