Frederick Divers papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS-0437

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of the weekly bulletins of: Union Bethel Independent Methodist Church (Corner Avenue F and 13th Street South), Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama (March 26, 1946 - February 22, 1948); Bethel A.M.E. Church (27th Avenue and 18th Place South), Homewood, Jefferson County Alabama (December 11, 1949 - November 25, 1951); Hopewell A.M.E. Church (45th Street and 8th Terrace North) Birmingham, (December 9, 1951 - November 16, 1952); and Emanuel A.M.E. Church (Corner 9th Court and 4th Street North), Smithfield, Jefferson County, Alabama (December 7, 1952 - October 24, 1954). Also included are the syllabus and papers for a graduate course in the Philosophy of Religion from Boston University Graduate School; the minutes of faculty meetings of Daniel Payne College, October 4, 1960 - February 1, 1961. There are also four 8”x10” photographs: (1) St. Luke A.M.E. Church – no address given; (2) a science classroom/lab – no location given; (3) Brownlee Hall – no location given; and (4) photograph of an architectural rendering of the Girls Dormitory on Daniel Payne College campus, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama.

The collection also contains correspondence to and from Divers, 1937–1953 (15 letters); to Mrs. Robbie Louise Divers, 1942–1944 (2 letters); and from Mrs. Robbie Louise Divers, 1948 (2 letters). There are also miscellaneous certificates and documents, including several World War II Ration Books and a baptism certificate and record book.

There is also correspondence relating to the building program of the Union Bethel Independent Methodist Church in Birmingham from March to October 1947.

Dates

1933-1956

Creator

Bethel A.M.E. Church (Homewood, Ala.) (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Due to the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to certain materials may require additional advance notice.

Biographical / Historical

Reverend Frederick Divers served several churches in the Greensboro, Hale County, Alabama, and Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, areas from 1946 to 1954. These churches were: (1) St. Matthew A.M.E. Church (1006 Morse Street), Greensboro; (2) Union Bethel Independent Methodist Church (Corner Avenue F and 13th Street South), Birmingham; (3) Bethel A.M.E. Church (27th Avenue and 18th Place South), Homewood (Birmingham); (4) Hopewell A.M.E. Church (45th Street and 8th Terrace North) Birmingham; and (5) Emanuel A.M.E. Church (Corner 9th Court and 4th Street North), Smithfield (Birmingham). The exact dates of his service for these churches are unknown. In the early 1960’s his wife, Robbie Louise Divers, was elected faculty secretary of Daniel Payne College in Birmingham.

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

Weekly bulletins from several central Alabama churches served by the Rev. Frederick Divers in the 1940s and 1950s. There are also letters and certificates of study as well as a booklet of baptismal certificates from 1933 to 1951. There are several World War II ration books and correspondence relating to the building program of Union Bethel Independent Methodist Church in Birmingham.

Provenance

unknown

General

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