The Finding Aid of the Pepperdine Bible Lectures Collection
0060
Finding aid prepared by Jamie Henricks and Jessica Geiser
The processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid was funded by the generous support of the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA, 90263-4786
(310) 506-4434
specialcollections@pepperdine.edu
August 2012
Title: Pepperdine Bible Lectures collection
Identifier/Call Number: 0060
Contributing Institution:
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Physical Description:
48.96 linear feet
(57 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1943-2013
Abstract: The Pepperdine University Bible Lectures collection includes paper materials (including programs, correspondence, and other
items) and audio recordings taken during Pepperdine Bible Lectures held in Los Angeles (beginning in 1943) and Malibu (beginning
in 1973).
Location note: Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Language of Materials: Materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
Advance notice required for access.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder# or item name], Pepperdine Bible Lectures collection, Collection no. 0060, Special Collections and University
Archives, University Libraries, Pepperdine University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Most materials were collected from the University Archives files and audiovisual collection. Other audio recordings were given
to the University Archives, such as the 2011 and 2012 recordings given by the Pepperdine University Office of Church Relations.
Some photographs and ephemera formerly owned by Melvin Weldon were donated by Mark Weldon in December, 2012.
Historical note
The Pepperdine University Bible Lectures, coordinated by the Office of Church Relations, began in January 1943 and were modeled
after similar programs at Abilene Christian University, David Lipscomb University, and Harding University. Lectures have been
held annually in the spring since 1943 (with the exception of 1957). In addition to the spring lectures, summer lectures were
held from 1958 to 1967, but were discontinued after summer attendance began to decline. During the time of largest popularity
in the 1960s, the keynote speeches were held at the Shrine Auditorium and Los Angeles Sports Arena while the other programs
were still held at the Los Angeles campus. After the Pepperdine University campus in Malibu opened for the 1972-1973 school
year, the lectures were held for the first time in Malibu in 1973 and have been held in Malibu since then.
Lectureship Directors
Annual Lectureships:
- 1943-1947 -- Hugh M. Tiner
- 1948-1951 -- W.B. West, Jr.
- 1952 -- Hugh M. Tiner
- 1953-1956, 1958 -- Joseph W. White
- 1959-1962 -- Rex Johnston
- 1963 -- William S. Banowsky
- 1964-1965 -- Jack Scott
- 1966-1970 -- Don Gardner
- 1971 -- Syd B. Wyatt
- 1972 -- Silas Shotwell
- 1973-1975 -- Tony Ash
- 1976-1977 -- Carl G. Mitchell
- 1978 -- William S. Banowsky
- 1979-1980 -- Carl G. Mitchell
- 1981-1982 -- Michael C. Armor
- 1983-2012 -- Jerry Rushford
- 2013 -- Mike Cope
Summer Lectureships:
- 1958 -- Joseph W. White
- 1959-1960 -- Thomas L. Campbell
- 1961 -- Gary Moore
- 1962 -- William S. Banowsky
- 1963-1965 -- Jack Scott
- 1966-1967 -- Don Gardner
Scope and Content
The collection contains programs, correspondence, schedules, invitations, audio recordings (on audiocassette and CD), and
other materials related to annual Pepperdine Bible Lectures. Paper materials date from 1943 to 2013, audio materials date
from 1971 to 2012, and materials will be added after each completed Bible Lecture program.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in the following two series:
- Series 1: Lectureship Files
- Series 2: Audiovisual Materials
Related Archival Materials
Other collections of individuals involved in the Churches of Christ (including the M. Norvel and Helen Young papers, George
Pepperdine family papers, and William S. Banowsky papers) may include files on the Bible Lectures.
Processing Information note
The collection was arranged and described by Jamie Henricks and Jessica Geiser in August, 2012.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Banowsky, William Slater
Pepperdine College.
Pepperdine University. Office of Church Relations.
Pepperdine University.
Rushford, Jerry, 1942-
Tiner, Hugh M. (Hugh Marvin), 1908-1981
Advertisements
Articles
Audiocassettes
Brochures
Clippings
Compact discs
Correspondence
Lectures and lecturing--California, Southern
Los Angeles (Calif.)--History
Malibu (Calif.)--History
Programs
Videocassettes
Box 1-2
Series 1:
Lectureship Files
1943-2013
Scope and Content
The series contains files for each time the Pepperdine Bible Lectures were held. Lectures have been held yearly since 1943
(but not in 1957); an extra lecture series was also held during the summer of the years between 1958 and 1967. Each file contains
a program with the schedule for the lectureship, at the minimum. Most folders also have advertisements, flyers, or newspaper
clippings. Most of the early files between 1943 and approximately 1965 include correspondence and other papers related to
the organization and running of the Bible Lectures. Two files at the beginning of the series include summary pages (which
list the dates, theme, director, speakers, and other information for each year), director lists, and theme lists for lectures
between 1943 and 1990. One folder includes a booklet honoring Jerry Rushford's 30-year tenure as director of the Bible Lectures.
Arrangement
Files are arranged chronologically by date. The two files with summary pages, director lists, and theme lists are placed at
the beginning of the series. One file containing a booklet about Jerry Rushford's 30-year tenure as director is placed after
the folder for 2012.
Box 2
Photographs and Ephemera formerly owned by Melvin Weldon
circa 1960s
Box 2
Miscellaneous Photographs
circa 1960s
Box 3-57
Series 2:
Audiovisual Materials
1971-2012
Scope and Content
Boxes contain recordings of lecture sessions from Bible Lectures from 1971 to 2012. Audio from 1971 is on audio reels. Early
sessions are recorded on audiocassette, but sessions from 2005 and on have been recorded on CD. Tapes from 1986 and 1987 have
been converted to CD as well. In addition to audio, there are VHS tapes from 1996, 1998, 1991, and 2001; and U-Matic video
tapes from 1986 and 1987.
Arrangement
Materials are arranged chronologically by lectureship year.
