Guide to the James and Melva Costen Papers

Descriptive Summary

Title

James and Melva Costen Papers

Inclusive Dates

1934-2019

Bulk Dates

1980-2009

Call Number

RG 538

Creator(s)

Costen, James Hutten, 1931-2003.

Costen, Melva Wilson, 1933-2023.

United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. General Assembly. Moderator (1982-1983 : Costen)

Quantity

9.00 cubic feet (11 boxes)

Language

English

Restrictions on Access

Open for research. Medical, educational, and psychological records of living people are closed.

Access to this collection’s digital content is indicated in the Collection Inventory section of this guide, in the Alternative Formats column. When materials are marked “Digital,” they are immediately accessible. Click on the hyperlink to view the digital content in Pearl.

When materials are marked “Digital*” with an asterisk, they are available upon request. Click on the hyperlink to contact the Reference Desk to request access. Access is provided via a temporary password-protected link.

Digital Content

To browse this collection's digital content 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

James H. Costen

James (nicknamed Jim and Jimmy) Hutten Costen was born on October 5, 1931 in Omaha, Nebraska. He was the son of William James and Mary Lou Costen. Raised as Roman Catholic and educated in parochial schools, Jim began worshiping at a Presbyterian church during high school. He graduated from Central High School in Omaha in 1949. He attended Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) in Charlotte, North Carolina and graduated in 1953 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. While attending JCSU, he met Melva Wilson, who also graduated in 1953. The two married at the JCSU campus chapel on May 24, 1953. Jim then attended Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary, receiving a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1956. He later pursued a Master of Theology degree in religious education at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, graduating in 1964. Jim was either the earliest or one of the earliest African American students to attend the Seminary.

Jim was ordained by the Presbytery of Cape Fear (Synod of Catawba) on January 19, 1956. He served as pastor of Mount Pisgah Presbyterian Church in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. There in Rocky Mount, Jim and Melva successfully won a lawsuit to integrate an elementary school, allowing their children to attend. The family was threatened by the Ku Klux Klan for their civil rights work. Jim worked closely with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the civil rights movement, including organizing King's visit to Rocky Mount in 1962. In 1965, Jim received the call to serve as pastor of the Church of the Master Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He was integral in establishing the church, which was deliberately organized as the first interracial Presbyterian congregation in Atlanta. Additionally, Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr. attended and participated in Jim's installation service as pastor of the Church of the Master.

In 1969, Jim became dean of Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary, which, under Jim's guidance, had been newly relocated to the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta. He became president of ITC in 1983, serving in that role until his retirement in 1998. He was later named President Emeritus. In 1974, Jim visited Kenya for the first time, where he built relationships with the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA). Because of this experience, he created and offered scholarships to PCEA students for them to attend ITC. After his retirement from ITC, he served the PCEA as volunteer director of development. In this role, Jim raised funds to build a library, student and faculty housing, and other facilities for what is now the Presbyterian University of East Africa.

Jim served as moderator of the 194th General Assembly (Hartford, Connecticut) of the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (UPCUSA) in 1982, becoming the fourth African American to hold the role. Additionally, he served as moderator of the UPCUSA's 195th General Assembly (Atlanta, Georgia) in 1983, when the UPCUSA and the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. (PCUS) reunited to form the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (PC(USA)).

Jim's other roles in the Presbyterian Church included being chairperson of numerous committees, including the General Assembly Permanent Nominations Committee, the Minority Taskforce on Reunion, and the General Assembly Council. Nationally, he served on the board of trustees of the Fund for Theological Education and was a member of the Black Theology Project and the Society for the Study of Black Religion. He died on April 11, 2003.

Melva W. Costen

Melva Ruby Wilson was born in Due West, South Carolina in 1933. She is the daughter of John Theodore Wilson (1903-1959) and Azzie Lee Wilson (née Ellis; born 1906). Melva graduated from Harbison Junior College in Irmo, South Carolina in 1948. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from JCSU in 1953, a Master of Arts in Teaching Music degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in 1964, and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with music as a cognate area from Georgia State University in Atlanta in 1978. While attending JCSU, she met James (Jim) Costen. The two married at the JCSU campus chapel on May 24, 1953. When Jim was called to be pastor of the Church of the Master Presbyterian Church in Atlanta in 1965, Melva served as director of music.

Melva joined the faculty of Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary at ITC in 1973 and became the Helmar Nielsen Professor of Music and Worship in 1987, also directing the Center Chorus. She retired in April 2005 and later became Visiting Professor of Liturgical Studies at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music.

Melva's activities in the Presbyterian Church include service as clerk of the Session of Church of the Master Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, as vice-moderator of the Presbytery of Georgia, as an Elder, and as vice-chairperson of the Advisory Council on Discipleship and Worship. In 1983, Melva directed the choir of the reuniting service of the UPCUSA and the PCUS at the 195th General Assembly in 1983. She served as chairperson of the New Presbyterian Hymnbook Committee to develop the "Presbyterian Hymnal: Hymns, Psalms and Spiritual Songs," which was published in 1990. She also served on the committee which developed the "Directory for Worship" in the "Book of Order." Additionally, she worked alongside her husband Jim to develop and fundraise for the creation of a theological school for the PCEA. She died on September 8, 2023.

Collection Overview

The collection contains audiovisual materials, correspondence, photographs, printed materials, subject files, writings (including sermons), and other records documenting the personal, professional, and religious lives of Rev. Dr. James (Jim) H. Costen and Dr. Melva W. Costen. In relation to Jim, the materials' scope chiefly covers his election and actions as moderator of the 194th and 195th general assemblies of the UPCUSA, his career as dean of Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary and as president of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), and his development and fundraising work with the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA). In relation to Melva, the materials' scope chiefly covers her teaching and higher education career as faculty of ITC as the Helmar Nielsen Professor of Music and Worship and her academic and publishing pursuits.

The Melva W. Costen Papers series, 1934-2019, contains files of articles, audiovisual materials, correspondence, photographs, printed items, publications, sheet music, subject files, writings, and other records chiefly documenting Melva's career in higher, music, and liturgical education at ITC, her academic and publishing pursuits, and her activities in the Presbyterian Church. Files of writings include addresses, essays, lectures, sermons, and speeches, and there is an unbound copy of "African American Christian Worship." There are also letters of condolence and obituaries for Melva's husband, Jim H. Costen, a file of biographical materials documenting Melva's life, and a file of genealogy materials mainly pertaining to the Ellis and Wilson families.

The James H. Costen Papers series, circa 1949-2009, contains files of audiovisual materials, correspondence, photographs, printed items, publications, subject files, writings, and other records chiefly documenting Jim's role as moderator of the 194th and 195th general assemblies of the UPCUSA, his career at Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary and ITC, and his work with the PCEA.

The Moderator's Files subseries, 1957, 1981-1983, chiefly contains activities files, which are chronological files of correspondence, printed items, and publications documenting Jim's time, actions, and itineration events as moderator of the 194th and 195th general assemblies of the UPCUSA. The subseries also contains separate correspondence files, which are chiefly letters of congratulations and support pertaining to Jim's election as moderator, and press releases covering Jim's election and the hybrid general assemblies of the UPCUSA, PCUS, and PC(USA) in 1983.

The Personal and Professional Papers subseries, circa 1949-2009, contains activities files, correspondence, photographic materials (including a photograph album and scrapbook), printed items, publications, subject files, writings, and other records chiefly documenting Jim's career at Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary and ITC and his development work with the PCEA. Activities files, which are chronological files of correspondence, invitations, printed items, and schedules, document Jim's activities and events attended chiefly as president of ITC. Most PCEA files pertain to Jim's development and fundraising work to support building projects for what became the Presbyterian University of East Africa. Writings include addresses, prayers, remarks, sermons, and speeches.

Organization and Arrangement

The collection is arranged as follows:

SERIES I: MELVA W. COSTEN PAPERS, 1934-2019

SERIES II: JAMES H. COSTEN PAPERS, CIRCA 1949-2009

Subseries 1: Moderator's Files, 1957, 1981-1983

Subseries 2: Personal and Professional Papers, circa 1949-2009

Alternative Formats

To browse this collection’s digital content visit Pearl.

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

Digital access copies are available in MP3 and MP4 format for some folders by request (see the Collection Inventory section of this guide).

Related Material

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Transferred from the Interdenominational Theological Center (Atlanta, Ga.) in 1989 and donated by Craig and Cheryl Costen (Atlanta, Ga.) in 2022.

Processing Information

Collection processed and guide prepared in 2022 by Nicholas Skaggs, Processing Archivist, as part of the African American Leaders and Congregations Collecting Initiative.

While the processor maintained creator-supplied folder titles, the processor also created additional description to supplement folder titles. Processor-supplied descriptions are enclosed in square brackets in the Collection Inventory.

Preferred Citation

James and Melva Costen Papers, RG 538, 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

Costen, James Hutten, 1931-2003.

Costen, Melva Wilson, 1933-2023.

Corporate Subject

Interdenominational Theological Center (Atlanta, Ga.)

Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary.

Johnson C. Smith University.

National Black Presbyterians United.

Presbyterian Church of East Africa.

Presbyterian Church in the U.S. General Assembly (123rd : 1983 : Atlanta, Ga.)

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). General Assembly (195th : 1983 : Atlanta, Ga.)

United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. General Assembly (194th : 1982 : Hartford, Conn.)

United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. General Assembly (195th : 1983 : Atlanta, Ga.)

United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. General Assembly. Moderator (1982-1983 : Costen)

Topical Subject

African American Christian educators.

African American clergy.

African American Presbyterians.

African Americans--Religious life.

Church music--United States.

Music--Religious aspects.

Presbyterian universities and colleges--Kenya.

Genre-form

Audiocassettes. aat

Born digital. aat

Correspondence. aat

DVDs. aat

Photographs. aat

Press releases. aat

Printed materials (object genre) aat

Publications (documents) aat

Sermons. aat

Sheet music. aat

Subject files. local

VHS. aat

Personal Added Name

Costen, Melva Wilson, 1933-2023.

Corporate Added Name

United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. General Assembly. Moderator (1982-1983 : Costen)

Collection Inventory

Box	Folder	Description	Alternative Formats

		SERIES I: MELVA W. COSTEN PAPERS, 1934-2019

1	1-2	"African American Christian Worship" (by Melva Wilson Costen; Abingdon Press; unbound copy), 1993
1	3	"African American Music in Christian Worship" (article by Melva Wilson Costen), undated
1	4	"Afro American Heritage in Sight and Sound" (musical presentation by Melva Wilson Costen), circa 1982-1986
1	5	Articles (binder labeled as "Significant Articles - Melva W. Costen"), circa 1982-2013, undated
1	6	Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History (ASALH), 1994
1	7	Biographical file - Melva Wilson Costen, 1965-2017, undated	Digital
1	8	Black Presbyterian Heritage Colloquium (Atlanta, Georgia; September 10-12, 1990), 1990
1	9	Calvinism / Calvinists [chiefly correspondence], 1994-1995
1	10	Church of the Master Presbyterian (Atlanta, Georgia), circa 1997-2019, undated
1	10	Church of the Master Presbyterian (Atlanta, Georgia) - Compact disc (DVD) - Church of the Master Worship, Reverend Olive Mahabir, "Live Like you Mean It," 2014 February 16	Digital*
1	11	Correspondence - General, circa 1983-2018, undated
1	12	Correspondence - Jon Michael Spencer, circa 1991-1992
1	13	Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, Global Mission Unit (PC(USA)) - Crossroads: The Intersection of Three Religious Traditions in the African Context (travel-study seminar, Ghana, West Africa; June 11-25, 1994), 1993-1994
1	14	Emory University, Candler School of Theology (Atlanta, Georgia) - Women in Theology and Ministry Oral History Program, circa 2007-2010
1	14	Emory University, Candler School of Theology (Atlanta, Georgia) - Women in Theology and Ministry Oral History Program - Compact disc (DVD-R) - WTM Oral History Project, Melva Costen interview, 2008 October 1	Digital
1	15	Genealogy materials [includes Ellis reunion materials], 1946-1958, 1997-2018
1	16-17	Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC; Atlanta, Georgia), 1969-2016
1	18	ITC - Essays and papers [includes "No. 1 Kimbanguism, Authentically African, Authentically Christian" (by George B. Thomas) and student papers], 1970, 1991-2005
1	19	ITC - Syllabi, circa 1999-2002, undated
1	20	James and Melva Costen Foundation, circa 2003-2007
1	21	James Costen, Jr. - Articles and thesis, undated
1	22	"Jesus for a Hip Hop Generation" (by Dr. Mark A. Lomax; Association of Presbyterian Christian Educators, Norfolk, Virginia; January 30, 2004, workshop # 112), 2004
1	23	Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary / University, 1998-2015, undated
1	24	Johnson C. Smith Theological University (Charlotte, North Carolina) - Board of Trustees proceedings (April 18-19, 2013; binder), 2013
1	25	Lake City Presbyterian Church (Seattle, Washington), 1983
1	26	Letters of condolence and obituaries for James H. Costen, 2003
1	26	Letters of condolence and obituaries for James H. Costen - Letter from Pam Byers to Melva Costen, 2003 April 20	Digital

2	1	Letters of condolence and obituaries for James H. Costen, 2003
2	2	Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (Columbia, South Carolina) - Dr. Robert D. Hawkins - Worship practicum, circa 2003-2004
2	3	Mount Pisgah Presbyterian Church (Rocky Mount, North Carolina) - Anniversary celebrations, 2015-2018
2	4	Murrysville, Pennsylvania - First Presbyterian Church, 1986-1989
2	5	"Music and Worship in the African American Christian Tradition" (by Dr. Melva Costen; June 8-9, Trinity Lutheran Seminary) - Videocassettes (VHS), tape 1, circa 1993	Digital
2	5	"Music and Worship in the African American Christian Tradition" (by Dr. Melva Costen; June 8-9, Trinity Lutheran Seminary) - Videocassettes (VHS), tape 2, circa 1993	Digital
2	5	"Music and Worship in the African American Christian Tradition" (by Dr. Melva Costen; June 8-9, Trinity Lutheran Seminary) - Videocassettes (VHS), tape 3, circa 1993	Digital
2	6	"Music and Worship in the African American Christian Tradition" (by Dr. Melva Costen; June 8-9, Trinity Lutheran Seminary) - Videocassettes (VHS), tape 4, circa 1993	Digital
2	7	National Black Presbyterian Caucus (NBPC), circa 2002-2019, undated
2	8	Obituaries, 1995-2015
2	9	Photographs, circa 1980-2009
2	10	Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), circa 1994-2011
2	11	Presbyterian Women [chiefly Radcliffe Presbyterian Church (Atlanta, Georgia) materials], 1997-2005
2	12	Presbytery of Chicago, circa 1986-1987
2	13	Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, 2002, undated
2	14-16	Printed items and publications, 1973-2017, undated
2	17	Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies - Board of Trustees (binder), 2015-2016
2	18	Sessions and workshops, 1983-2010, undated
2	19	Sheet music [oversize materials removed to box 10], circa 1934-2009, undated
2	20	Sheet music (arrangements by Melva Wilson Costen), circa 1982-2009, undated
2	21	Society for the Study of Black Religion (SSBR; Rochester, New York), 1979-1985
2	22	Sororities, 2011-2015
2	23	Synod of Southern California / San Francisco Theological Seminary / Occidental College - Worship '85: Dimensions in Liturgy and Music (Occidental College, Los Angeles, California; July 14-19, 1985), 1985
2	24	Thesis - "A Marriage Liturgy Incorporating Traditional Bakossi Elements for Use by the Presbyterian Church in the Cameroon" (by Oscar E. Elong; Pittsburg Theological Seminary), 1983 May
2	25	Thesis - "Techniques for Teaching Music Theory and Composition in the Presbyterian Theological Seminary Kumba, Cameroon, With Implications for Improving Church Music in the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon" (by Rev. Neville-Charles Ngohfende-Elonge; Interdenominational Theological Center [ITC], Atlanta, Georgia), 1999 July
2	26	"Waiting in the Temple: Worship at a Black Holiness Church, Mississippi, Early 20th Century" (draft copy), undated
2	27-28	Writings - Addresses, lectures, sermons, and speeches (by Melva Wilson Costen), 1981-2014, undated

3	1-2	Writings - Essays, papers, reports, and other writings (by Melva Wilson Costen), 1982-2011, undated
3	3	Writings - To be published, 1970-1995, undated

		SERIES II: JAMES H. COSTEN PAPERS, CIRCA 1949-2009

		Subseries 1. Moderator's Files, 1957, 1981-1983

3	4	Activities files [chiefly printed items and publications], circa 1980-1981
3	5-6	Activities files [chiefly correspondence, printed items, and publications pertaining to the 194th General Assembly], 1982 January-June
3	7-8	Activities files [chiefly correspondence, printed items, and publications pertaining to the 194th General Assembly and itineration events], 1982 July
3	9	Activities files [chiefly correspondence, printed items, and publications pertaining to itineration events], 1982 August-December
3	10	Activities files [chiefly correspondence, printed items, and publications pertaining to itineration events; includes photographs], 1982 August-December	Digital
3	11-15	Activities files [chiefly correspondence, printed items, and publications pertaining to itineration events], 1982 August-December
3	16	Activities files [chiefly correspondence, printed items, and publications pertaining to itineration events], circa 1982
3	17-18	Activities files [chiefly correspondence, printed items, and publications pertaining to itineration events], 1983 January-February

4	1-3	Activities files [chiefly correspondence, printed items, and publications pertaining to itineration events], 1983 March-July
4	3	Activities files - "Converse with Costen" poster and press release, 1983 April	Digital
4	4-8	Activities files [chiefly correspondence, printed items, and publications pertaining to itineration events], 1983 March-July
4	9	Activities files [chiefly correspondence, printed items, and publications pertaining to itineration events], circa 1983
4	10	Activities files [chiefly correspondence, printed items, and publications pertaining to itineration events; oversize materials removed to box 10], undated
4	11	Correspondence [chiefly letters of congratulations and support] - A-L, circa 1981-1982
4	12	Correspondence [chiefly letters of congratulations and support] - M-S, circa 1981-1982
4	13	Correspondence [chiefly letters of congratulations and support] - T-Z, circa 1981-1982
4	14-15	Correspondence [chiefly letters of congratulations and support and responses; oversize materials moved to box 10], circa 1981-1982
4	16	"A History of St. Luke United Presbyterian Church USA, 1897-1983, Orangeburg, South Carolina" (bound volume), circa 1982-1983
4	17	"Presbyterians in the Upper Conemaugh Valley" (by Donald H. Matthews, Jr.; signed by Matthews on December 12, 1982), 1957, 1982
4	18	Press releases - News (PC(USA)), 1983

5	1	Press releases - Presbyterian News Service (PCUS), 1983
5	2-3	Press releases - Presbyterian Office of Information (UPCUSA) [includes 1982 and 1983 General Assembly coverage], 1982-1983

		Subseries 2. Personal and Professional Papers, circa 1949-2009

5	4	Activities files [chiefly correspondence, invitations, printed items, and schedules pertaining to events attended; includes photographs], 1983	Digital
5	5	Activities files [chiefly correspondence, invitations, printed items, and schedules pertaining to events attended], 1984
5	5	Activities files - Photograph of former moderator James Costen and moderator Harriet Nelson in Africa, 1984 December	Digital
5	6-12	Activities files [chiefly correspondence, invitations, printed items, and schedules pertaining to events attended], 1984-1990
5	13	Activities files [chiefly correspondence, invitations, printed items, and schedules pertaining to events attended], 1990-1991	Digital
5	13	Activities files - Letter from Coretta Scott King to Dr. James Costen [facsimile in folder; digital image of original letter available], 1990 October 30	Digital
5	14	Atlanta University Center, 1983, 1997, undated
5	15	Atlanta University Center, Inc. - Board of Trustees meeting (May 2, 1997) - Recognition of service luncheon for presidents Johnetta B. Cole and James H. Costen, 1997
5	16	Audiovisuals - Audiocassettes - First Presbyterian Church (Atlanta, Georgia): James Fenhagen, 1996 March 28	Digital*
5	16	Audiovisuals - Audiocassettes - First Presbyterian Church (Atlanta, Georgia): From Here to Eternity: The Stages of Life, Death and Resurrection "Good Grief," Dr. George B. Wirth, Pastor, 2003 April 13	Digital*

E	1	Audiovisuals - Born digital (MP4 file) - Dr. James Costen interview regarding retirement from ITC (with edited appearances by James Hutton Costen, Jr.), circa 1998	Digital

5	16	Audiovisuals - Compact discs (DVD-R) - Interdenominational Theological Center Chapel Service DVD: Dr. H. (Helmar) Nielsen, undated	Digital*
5	16	Audiovisuals - Compact discs (DVD-R) - Dr. James Costen interview regarding retirement from ITC, circa 1998	Digital
5	17	Audiovisuals - Videocassettes (VHS) - Presbyterian Theological Institutions (produced by Union Theological Seminary in Virginia; sponsored by The Committee on Theological Education, Presbyterian Center, Louisville, Kentucky), circa 1986	Digital*
5	17	Audiovisuals - Videocassettes (VHS) - Here I Am Lord: Mission Personnel Resources Program Department (MECPD Productions), 1988 November	Digital*
5	17	Audiovisuals - Videocassettes (VHS) - "There Was Light!" A Video Documentary: 100 Years History of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (Jitegemea Production), 1991	Digital

6	1	Audiovisuals - Videocassettes (VHS) - Black Community Crusade for Children (Signature PSA Series), 1993 March	Digital*
6	1	Audiovisuals - Videocassettes (VHS) - Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) First Day of Celebration (Jim Preaching), 1993 September 20	Digital
6	1	Audiovisuals - Videocassettes (VHS) - Excel Business Presentation / Excelebration '95, 1995	Digital*
6	2	Audiovisuals - Videocassettes (VHS) - "More Than a Grant," undated	Digital*
6	2	Audiovisuals - Videocassettes (VHS) - Enlistment Video (Interdenominational Theological Center), undated	Digital*
6	2	Audiovisuals - Videocassettes (VHS) - Images of Atlanta and Georgia, undated	Digital*
6	3	Biographical file - James Hutten Costen, Sr., circa 1949-2009, undated	Digital
6	4	Black Presbyterian overseas missionaries (PCUS) [includes questionnaires; oversize materials removed to box 10], 1971, 1989
6	5-6	Black Presbyterians [includes National Black Presbyterian Caucus (NBPC) materials], circa 1977-2000, undated
6	7	Capitol City Bank and Trust Company - Advisory board, circa 1997-2000
6	8	Correspondence [chiefly sent by James H. Costen at Johnson C. Smith Seminary, Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC)], circa 1981-1983
6	9	Correspondence - General, circa 1972-2002, undated
6	10	Correspondence - General, circa 1972-2002, undated	Digital
6	11	Dr. Irvin W. Underhill, Jr. oral history interview transcripts (J. Oscar McCloud as interviewer), 1981, 1999
6	12	Holy Land Institute for Pastoral Renewal (Atlanta, Georgia), circa 2000-2002
6	13	Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary - Notes, circa 1956-1962
6	14	Mission Conference 2001 - Partners in Education with Kenya (April 20-22, 2001), 2001
6	15	Mission leaders conference / luncheon, circa 1999-2002
6	16	Moderator, 194th General Assembly (UPCUSA) - Rev. James H. Costen, circa 1982
6	17	Oral history transcripts, undated
6	18	Photographs [oversize materials removed to box 11], 1993-2001, undated	Digital
6	19	Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), circa 1984-2000, undated

7	1	PCEA, circa 1984-2000, undated
7	2-3	PCEA, circa 1991, undated
7	4-5	PCEA - Presbyterian Pastoral Institute / University (Presbyterian College; Kikuyu, Kenya) [chiefly correspondence; oversize materials removed to box 10], circa 1996-2000
7	6	PCEA - Presbyterian Pastoral Institute / University (Presbyterian College; Kikuyu, Kenya) [chiefly correspondence regarding Kenya Mission Safari trips; oversize materials removed to box 10], circa 2000-2002
7	7-8	PCEA - Presbyterian Pastoral Institute / University (Presbyterian College; Kikuyu, Kenya) - Contributions, circa 1999-2002
7	9-11	PCEA - Presbyterian Pastoral Institute / University (Presbyterian College; Kikuyu, Kenya) - Contributions [includes Kenya Mission Safari trip materials], circa 1998-2002
7	12	PCEA - Presbyterian Pastoral Institute / University (Presbyterian College; Kikuyu, Kenya) - Funding proposal, 1999 April
7	13	PCEA - Presbyterian Pastoral Institute / University (Presbyterian College; Kikuyu, Kenya) - Prospective donors, circa 1998-2002
7	14-15	Printed items and publications, 1965-1990, undated
7	16	Sermon and speech writing resources, circa 1986-1993, undated
7	17	Statistics (giving amounts and membership numbers by presbytery), circa 1973-1979
7	18	Stillman College (Tuscaloosa, Alabama), circa 1970-1980, undated
7	19	Task Force on Church Union / Reunion (PCUS and UPCUSA) [chiefly correspondence and minutes], circa 1972-1973
7	19	Task Force on Church Union / Reunion (PCUS and UPCUSA) - "Black Perspectives on Union with the Presbyterian Church, U.S." by James H. Costen, 1972 January	Digital

8	1	Writings (by James H. Costen) [chiefly sermons; also includes some addresses and speeches], circa 1980-1997
8	2-5	Writings (by James H. Costen) - Addresses, lectures, prayers, presentations, sermons, speeches, and remarks (binder), circa 1980-2002
8	6	Writings (by James H. Costen) - Addresses, remarks, sermons, and speeches (binder), circa 1983-1990
8	7	Writings (by James H. Costen) - Addresses, remarks, sermons, and speeches (binder), 1986-1992
8	8	Writings (by James H. Costen) - Africa trip journals, circa 1991
8	9-15	Writings (by James H. Costen) - Chronological files [chiefly sermons; also includes addresses, prayers, remarks, and speeches], 1975-1995

9	1-4	Writings (by James H. Costen) - Chronological files [chiefly sermons; also includes addresses, prayers, remarks, and speeches], 1995-2002, undated
9	5	Writings (by James H. Costen) - Master of Theology thesis - "The Stewardship of Possessions in Pauline Thought" (presented to faculty of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary), 1963 November
9	5	Writings (by James H. Costen) - Research project - "The Relevance of the Church for Youth," 1962 December 16
9	6	Writings (by James H. Costen) - Speeches (as Moderator / Dean / President) [includes prayers and sermons], circa 1975-1983
9	7	Writings (other authors), 1981-1997, undated
9	8	Zimbabwe Council of Churches, circa 1990-1991

		Oversize Materials
10		Removed from box 2, folder 19: Sheet music - "Blessed Is This Man" (written and dedicated to Dr. James Costen, Dean, ITC; composed by James A. Belle), 1993 September
10		Removed from box 4, folder 10: Welcome banner, undated
10		Removed from box 4, folder 14: Congratulatory signed banner and catfish drawing, circa 1981-1982
10		Removed from box 6, folder 4: Poster - "Black Missionaries of the Presbyterian Church, U.S., 1889-1971," 1971
10		Removed from box 7, folder 4: Presbyterian University Master Plan Report (by SK Archplans, Architects and Town Planners, Nairobi, Kenya), 1999 June
10		Removed from box 7, folder 4: Proposed Presbyterian University Library (by SK Archplans, Architects and Town Planners, Nairobi, Kenya), 2000 February
10		Removed from box 7, folder 6: Architectural drawings and plans - Guest house, staff apartments, and student hostel for PCEA University in Kikuyu (created by Associated Architects, Nairobi, Kenya), 2001-2002

11		Removed from box 6, folder 18: Photograph album and scrapbook - Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) celebration dinner (October 7, 1993) for President Dr. James H. Costen, 1993

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Guide to the James and Melva Costen Papers

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