[Black Presbyterians by Dr. Gayraund S. Wilmore Jr.] , 1975 January 28

This collection contains personal materials of James H. Costen, including correspondence, writings and speeches by himself and others, collected programs, photographs, and audio recordings of Costen interviewing administration and members of the Presbyterian Church.

A bulk of the materials lie in the ITC administration files. These files were transferred to the archives after Costen retired, and not only contain correspondence and administration and development materials based on projects and initiatives by the ITC during his administration, but also trails back to the early administration of Harry V. Richardson (1959-1968). Other ITC presidents that can be found within this series are: Oswald P. Bronson (1968-1975), Grant S. Shockley (1976-1979), and James Deotis Roberts, (1980-1983).

Other materials relate to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and its earlier organizations, the Presbyterian Church in the United States and the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, who merged in 1983 to form the Presbyterian Church (USA).

A devout Presbyterian, this collection shows that Costen was not only active in his church, but also interested in religion across denominations and faiths. The collection demonstrates this through his correspondence, committee participations, and conference attendance in a wide variety of community, religious, and political organizations.