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Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 0000-0000-0000-00210

Scope and contents

This collection's materials are comprised of papers, photographs, documents, and ephemera about the Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel. The collection includes photographs, programs, and posters from events hosted at the Chapel, personal and professional papers of Dean Carter from his tenure as Dean of the Chapel and the papers of Lamar Alford during his time as dramatist in residence at Morehouse College.

Dates

  • Creation: 1942 - 1993
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1980 - 1989

Creator

Language of Materials

One item is in french.

Access Restrictions

The subseries "Academic" within the series "Lawrence Carter" contain personnel and student academic records that are restricted in accordance with university policy and applicable law.

Rights Statement

All materials in this collection are either protected by copyright or are the property of the Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center Inc., and/or the copyright holder as appropriate. For more information, please contact archives@auctr.edu

Historical note

Built in 1978, the Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. International Memorial Chapel stands as a significant religious memorial dedicated to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Howard Thurman, and Benjamin Elijah Mays. Serving as a hub for advocates of peace, justice, and spiritual ethics, the chapel features a large seating capacity, a remarkable organ (the 6,000-pipe Wendell P. Whalum organ), and an impressive Hall of Honor highlighting portraits of global leaders in civil and human rights. The Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel also houses the Hall of Honor and prominent statues. Noteworthy tributes include statues of Martin Luther King Jr., as well as Mahatma and Kasturbai Gandhi. Hosting diverse programs and events, the chapel has been a platform for numerous global leaders. Lawrence Edward Carter became the first dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel in 1979. Carter, a tenured professor of religion, has had a distinguished career, contributing to academia, interfaith dialogue, and the preservation of civil and human rights legacies, notably through the establishment of the International Hall of Honor. Lamar Alford was a playwright, actor, and singer who attended Morehouse between 1962 and 1965, becoming the dramatist at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel in 1982. While there, he established an acting troupe known as the King Players, and they performed many of Alford’s works. One of his most notable plays was “Martin,” a musical about the life of Martin Luther King Jr. Lamar Alford remained the dramatist of the chapel until his death in 1991.

Extent

23.68 Linear feet (2 Paige Cartons) (10 Oversized Flat boxes)

Arrangement

The materials are arranged into six series: Chapel Records, Publications, Lawrence Carter, Lamar Alford, Photographs and Memorabilia. The Chapel Records series details the programs and events that have occurred at the chapel over the years it has nine sub series: Chapel Newsletters, Events, Non-chapel events, Financial, Programs, Programs, Non-chapel Programs, Religious Emphasis Week, Vesper Hour, and Worship Hour. The Publications series includes Morehouse publications such as Inside Morehouse, The Maroon Tiger, and The Alumnus. The Publications series has one subseries, non-Morehouse chapel publications. The Lawrence Carter series compiles his administrative and philanthropic work both in and outside the chapel as well as some of his personal speeches and writings. There are six subseries: Academic, Administrative, Correspondence, Faculty and Staff, Organizations, and Writings. The Lamar Alford series chronicles his time as the dramatist in residence at Morehouse and includes some of his personal plays and writings. There are six subseries: Academic, Administrative, Correspondence, Programs, Publications and Writings. The Photograph series includes photographs of events that have taken place within the chapel such as Homecoming and various plays. There are three subseries: Buildings and Grounds, Events and People. The Memorabilia series includes one subseries Ephemera, which are items such as banners, agenda planners and flags. All sub series are listed alphabetically first, and then chronologically. The bulk of the collection is within the chapel records and Lawrence Carter Series. Items that don't pertain to the chapel or to Morehouse College can be found in Chapel Records and Publications subseries.

Seperations

Oversize materials have been seperated into appropriate housing. Boxes 49-60 contain oversized materials.

Title
Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel Collection
Status
In Progress
Author
Finding Aid prepared by Alana Blalock, 2024
Date
2024
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the AUC Institutional Records Repository

Contact:

404-978-2052