Collection Title: P.H. Welshimer Collection, circa 1895 - circa 1995, undated

Repository:

The Holloway Archives at Milligan University
P. H. Welshimer Memorial Library
200 Blowers Blvd.
Milligan, TN 37682
Email: archives@milligan.edu

Creators:

P.H. Welshimer, Helen Welshimer, Mildred Welshimer, others

Title:

P.H. Welshimer Collection, circa 1895 - circa 1995, undated

Collection No.

C0136

Extent

12 cubic feet (29 boxes)

Language(s):

English, Xhosa

Abstract:

P.H. Welshimer, who pastored First Christian Church in Canton, Ohio, for over fifty years, greatly influenced the Stone-Campbell Movement during his time as a preacher and teacher through his sermons, lessons, publications, and pastoral care. This collection consists of objects important to him (his desk accessories, mementos, and awards), books he wrote or read (including many day planners and log books), papers (including correspondence and sermon outlines), and publications both by and about P.H. Welshimer.

Biographical Note:

Pearl Welshimer was born on April 6, 1873, on a farm near Union City, Ohio. He was the eldest son of Samuel and Louisa Welshimer, who were active in the Stone-Campbell movement. As a young boy, after he realized most other children had a middle name, he decided he wanted his to be “Howard,” leading to him going by the initials “P.H.” for the rest of his life. After graduating as valedictorian of his high school class in 1889, Welshimer taught for a short while until he went to Ohio Northern University, where, during his final year in 1894, he decided to become a minister instead of a lawyer. He then began attending Hiram College, and during this time he pastored his first church in Champion, Ohio. P.H. Welshimer graduated and was ordained in 1897. He then began work at a church in Millersburg. During his years there, he added five hundred members to the church and also married Clara Hornig, with whom he would have three children. His three children were Helen, who became a celebrated journalist and poet; Mildred, who would serve for decades at Milligan College (now Milligan University) and marry B.W. Phillips; and his son Ralph, a car salesman who had two children.

In 1902, Welshimer became pastor at First Christian Church in Canton, Ohio, a position he would hold for over fifty years. Throughout his time there, he became famous, both for the number of new Christians he brought into his church and his unusual methods for doing so. He started an expanded Bible school program at the church which met on Sunday mornings, and, with encouragement through nationwide attendance contests with other churches, quickly made it the most populous Bible school in the country. Soon after his arrival, First Christian Church grew too big for its building and built a new one, but, by the time of its completion, it was already too small. He constantly worked hard to further the reach of the gospel through his church, which swelled to several thousand members. Welshimer was also instrumental in founding the North American Christian Convention. He also wrote famous tracts and contributed to several different Christian magazines.

Despite his busy life, P.H. Welshimer remained an avid reader, and he owned almost 7,000 books. After his passing on August 16, 1957, a large portion of them were donated to Milligan College (now Milligan University), where his daughter Mildred worked, and which had awarded him a Doctorate of Divinity in 1948. This donation became a central part of the new P.H. Welshimer Memorial Library, which opened on November 24, 1961.

Arrangement:

The collection of P.H. Welshimer is arranged into the following series and subseries. Much of the original order was kept, although some rearranging was necessary. Many boxes are not arranged in any order because of how items fit in the boxes. Some subseries only have one folder and therefore have no arrangement. Some subseries are arranged in semi-chronological order. Because series and subseries are so granular, it should not be difficult to peruse each series and subseries.

I. Series: Objects, circa 1914-1964, undated

II. Series: Books, circa 1897-1983, undated

1. Subseries: Planners and Journals, circa 1925-1957, undated

2. Subseries: Specifically for P.H. Welshimer, circa 1924-1941, undated

3. Subseries: Other, circa 1897-1983, undated

III. Series: Papers, circa 1932-1957, undated

1. Subseries: P.H. Welshimer Sermons and Lessons, circa 1932-1955, undated

2. Subseries: Correspondence and Other Material from Various Authors, circa 1943-1955, undated

3. Subseries: Sermon Duplicates, undated

4. Subseries: “circa 1995” Items, circa 1934, undated

5. Subseries: Welshimer Letters, 1934-1957, undated

IV. Series: Publications, circa 1897-1963, undated

1. Subseries: About P.H. Welshimer, various authors, circa 1901-1958, undated

2. Subseries: By P.H. Welshimer, various authors, circa 1897-1958, undated

3. Subseries: Phillips Bible Institute Annual, 1916

4. Subseries: Between the Lookout’s Pages, circa 1935-1963, undated

5. Subseries: Published About or By Others, circa 1937-1957, undated

6. Subseries: Pamphlets, circa 1912-1952, undated

Scope and Content Note:

The P.H. Welshimer Collection is organized into four series: Objects, Books, Papers, and Publications. The Object series spans roughly 1914-1964 and contains Welshimer’s desk accessories, mementos such as gifts from his children when they were young, his first watch, and framed photos of his family, as well as awards from organizations he led and to mark the number of years he had been preaching at First Christian Church, among other things.

The Books series spans circa 1896-1957 and is organized into three subseries: Planners and Journals, Specifically for P.H. Welshimer, and Other. Planners and Journals features notebooks and day planners, along with service books he had filled with quotes and stories. Specifically for P.H. Welshimer features First Christian Church’s 1926 yearbook, along with a gift book and programs honoring anniversaries of Welshimer’s time at this church. Other, the third subseries, features a variety of books from other authors.

The Papers series spans circa 1932-1957 and contains five subseries: P.H. Welshimer Sermons and Lessons, Correspondence and Other Material from Various Authors, Sermon Duplicates, the “circa 1995” Items, and Welshimer Letters. The P.H. Welshimer Sermons and Lessons subseries contains sermon outlines, and the Correspondence and Other Material from Various Authors series contains letters and other materials from a variety of people in P.H. Welshimer’s life. The Sermon Duplicates subseries contains photocopies of Welshimer’s sermon outlines, and “circa 1995” Items contains both handwritten and photocopied sermon outlines. The Welshimer Letters subseries is a collection of correspondence between Welshimer and Francis M. Arrant, who would write Welshimer’s biography after his passing.

The Publications series spans circa 1897-1963 and contains six subseries: About P.H. Welshimer, By P.H. Welshimer, Phillips Bible Institute Annual, Between the Lookout’s Pages, Published About or By Others, and Pamphlets. About P.H. Welshimer contains articles from newspapers, journals, and magazines about Welshimer, while By P.H. Welshimer contains articles from similar sources written by Welshimer. The Phillips Bible Institute Annual subseries contains a 1916 yearbook from the school, and Between the Lookout’s Pages contains articles that were found between the pages of a Lookout magazine. Published About or By Others features works published in newspapers and other similar media that were not written by P.H. Welshimer. This subseries is primarily comprised of poetry written by Helen Welshimer, P.H. Welshimer’s daughter. The Pamphlets subseries features P.H. Welshimer’s works that were included in pamphlets.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information:

Accessions 2009/004, 2012/004

Access Restrictions:

The collection is open for research. Due to the nature and condition of some of the materials, photocopying may not always be possible.

The archivist reserves the right to determine on a case-by-case basis if certain folders within the collection that have been requested for viewing cannot be made available due to various restriction compliance, including but not limited to student information, private personal information, and organizational information of a restricted nature.

Note: The Holloway Archives at Milligan University does not own the copyright on published materials.

Preferred Citation:

[Item], P.H. Welshimer Collection, Collection C0136, The Holloway Archives at Milligan University, Milligan, TN.

Processing Information:

Processed by: Emily Messner

Completed in 2020.

Folder List

Box 1

I. Series: Objects, circa 1914-1964, undated

• Watch with note, 1897

Box 2

• Note reading “Welshimer’s Desk,” undated


• Note pad, half used, with P.H. Welshimer’s name on the front, undated


• Figurines of an Amish family, undated


• Piece of leather with the words “Genuine Leather” on it, undated


• Piece of leather, unlabeled, undated


• Piece of leather with P.H. Welshimer’s name on it, undated


• Horse carving, undated


• Miniature horseshoe, undated


• Knife, undated

Box 3

• Note reading “From P.H. Welshimer’s Desk,” undated


• Two horse figurines, undated

Box 4

• Pair of lion bookends, undated


• Preserved pair of P. H. Welshimer’s granddaughter’s (Paula Welshimer) shoes turned into bookends with note, undated

Box 5

• Figurine with etching of a cabin and the name “Robert Burns” on it, undated

Box 6

• Mildred Welshimer Phillip’s “Doctor of Humane Letters” degree from Milligan College, June 1, 1964


• Box containing cup and gourd from P.H. Welshimer’s daughters with note, undated


• Gavel, undated


• Cowbell, undated


• Glass coaster with a picture inside labeled, “The McKinley Tomb Canton Ohio” on it, undated


• Fountain pen with holder, undated

Box 7

• Plaque with mounted gavel, awarded to P.H. Welshimer from the North American Christian Convention, undated


• Sermon Outlines: Soul Winning! Church Building! by P.H. Welshimer, compiled by Mildred Welshimer, undated


• Shining Rain, a collection of Helen Welshimer’s poetry, 1943


• Singing Drum, a collection of Helen Welshimer’s poetry with handwritten note from the author to Mr. and Mrs. Munch (the book’s original owners), dated July 1937


• Pastor’s Ideal Funeral Manual, by St. John Halstrad, owned by P.H. Welshimer, who wrote and pasted articles in it, dated December 5, 1919


• The System Bible Study, from the System Bible Company, with P.H. Welshimer’s name written in the front, dated July 13, 1924

Box 8

• Black bowler with P.H. Welshimer’s name written on the inside, undated

Box 9

• Photo within a sheet of folded paper showing how Welshimer’s desk was set up in the Welshimer Room at the P.H. Welshimer Memorial Library, undated


• A small, two-photo, gold frame encasing a photo labeled “Paula [Welshimer] 2/12” (Paula was Ralph Welshimer’s daughter) and an unlabeled picture (possibly Paula and her mother, Eileen), undated


• A worn gold frame encasing a photo of presumably Mildred Welshimer, undated


• A silver frame encasing a photo of presumably Ralph Welshimer, undated


• A large wooden frame encasing a photo of Clara Welshimer, undated


• A large, ornate gold frame encasing a photo labeled, “Paula age two year,” undated


• A large, two-photo silver frame encasing a photo labeled on the back of the frame as “Mildred Welshimer Phillips (Daughter)” and a print of a painting labeled on the back of the frame as “P.H. Welshimer (Father),” undated


• A large, worn gold frame encasing a photo labeled “Mark 1 year,” undated


• A large, worn silver frame encasing a photo of presumably Helen Welshimer, undated

Box 10

• A plate commemorating Welshimer’s fiftieth anniversary of service at First Christian Church, 1952

Box 11

• P.H. Welshimer’s Doctor of Divinity diploma from Milligan College, dated May 24, 1948; within the case is also a certificate recognizing P.H. Welshimer’s fiftieth anniversary of service at First Christian Church, from The Centennial Convention of the Ohio Disciples of Christ, October 1952


• Certificate of appreciation for P.H. Welshimer from the North American Christian Convention for being president of the convention in 1927, 1927


• Three posters (one flat, two rolled up) with photos captioned, “First Christian Bible School, June 1914,” 1914


• One rolled poster with a photo captioned, “Adult Bible Class Taught by P.H. Welshimer, Canton, O. Attendance June 4, 1916, 1,805,” 1916


• One small, unlabeled gavel, undated

Box 12

II. Series: Books, circa 1897-1983, undated

1. Subseries: Planners and Journals, circa 1925-1957, undated

• Note: This subseries features many items that are fragile due to red rot, and they require special handling.


• A travel journal titled, “My Travels Abroad,” undated


• A planner with P.H. Welshimer’s name on it titled, “1928: ‘Things to do Today,” 1928


• A planner titled, “1929: ‘Things to do Today,” 1929


• A planner titled, “‘Things to do Today,’” 1941

Box 13

• A pocket-sized planner titled, “1936,” 1936


• A pocket-sized planner titled, “1937,” 1937


• A pocket-sized planner titled, “1939,” 1939


• A pocket-sized planner titled, “1940,” 1940


• A pocket-sized planner titled, “1941,” 1941


• A pocket-sized planner titled, “1942,” 1942


• A pocket-sized planner untitled, 1943


• A pocket-sized planner titled, “1947,” 1947


• A pocket-sized planner untitled, 1948


• A pocket-sized planner titled, “1949,” 1949


• A worn, pocket-sized planner untitled, 1950


• A pocket-sized planner titled, “1951,” 1951


• A pocket-sized planner titled, “1952,” 1952


• A worn, pocket-sized planner titled, “1953,” 1953


• A worn, pocket-sized planner title, “1954,” 1954


• A pocket-sized planner titled, “1955,” 1955


• A pocket-sized planner titled, “1956,” 1956


• A pocket-sized planner titled, “1957,” 1957


• A pocket-sized planner titled, “Perpetual Datebook,” date unknown

Box 14

• A handwritten log of marriages and funerals from P.H. Welshimer’s earliest years, circa 1896-1904


• A planner titled “Year Book,” 1925


• A planner titled “Year Book,” 1928


• A planner titled “Year Book,” 1929


• A planner designed for 1924 but with dates from 1935 handwritten in titled “Year Book,” 1935


• A planner titled, “1943,” 1943


• A planner titled, “National Surety Corporation: 1945,” with newspaper articles pasted in, 1945

Box 15

• A small, extremely worn, black book titled, “A Service Book” in gold lettering, undated



A small, extremely worn, black book titled, “Manual for Funeral Occasions,” undated

Note: some of the back pages have a wedding ceremony pasted over the pages, undated




A large, worn black book, undated

Note: the label over the title of the book is unreadable, and the majority of the pages are almost entirely pasted over by newspaper articles




A small, black book untitled on the front but labeled as the “Standard Manual for Funeral Occasions” inside, undated

Note: a large number of the pages have been pasted over with inspirational poems, Bible verses, or similar material



• A small, black book titled, “A Service Book,” in green lettering, undated



A small, black notebook with the title, “Statistical data: First Christian Church, Canton Ohio. By, W. G. Bliss, 1311 Shorb Ave. N.W,” undated

Note: The front is the aforementioned report, the blank back pages have pasted over with inspirational poems, Bible verses, or similar material

Box 16

2. Subseries: Specifically for P.H. Welshimer, circa 1924-1941, undated

• A small paperback titled, “Momento of a Birthday Celebration,” created in honor of P.H. Welshimer’s sixty-first birthday, dated April 6, 1934


• A copy of First Christian Church’s 1926 yearbook, bound with a black cover with P.H. Welshimer’s name on the front, 1926


• A set of pages, bound in black, titled, “35th Anniversary Program to Our Pastor P.H. Welshimer: January 4, 1937, Canton, Ohio,” which also contained a program from P.H. Welshimer’s fortieth anniversary celebration; dated January 4, 1937 and December 28, 1941


• Two extra copies of First Christian Church’s 1926 yearbook, bound in purple paper covers with gold cords, 1926

Box 17

• A large, bound copy of all The Lookout magazines from 1924, with a note on the first page that states that the copy was presented to P.H. Welshimer, dated May 11, 1925.


• A scrapbook, containing various types of handwritten poetry and memorials, dedicated to P.H. Welshimer for thirty-six years of working at First Christian Church, undated.

Box 18

3. Subseries: Other, circa 1897-1983, undated

• Some American Evils and Their Remedies by George R. Hall, dated by P.H. Welshimer as October 15, 1897


• Visions from the Vaal by Basil Holt, dated by P.H. Welshimer as July 15, 1930


• The Bible and Rural Life by Ross J. Griffeth, copyright 1937, 1937


• Tract: “Who are The Christian Churches and What Do We Believe?” by R. Frederick West and William Garrett West, dated by P.H. Welshimer as September 26, 1954


• The Literature of the Disciples of Christy A.T. DeGroot and E.E. Dowling, dated by P.H. Welshimer as March 9, 1934


• Booklet: “God’s Twin Laws or The Scriptural Basis For the Tithe” by John G. Alber, undated



The What, How, and Why of Church Building by George W. Kramer, 1901

Note: This book is extremely worn




A Cruden’s Concordance, undated

Note: with P.H. Welshimer’s and Mildred Welshimer’s names inside, as well as the 1983 receipts recording Mildred’s donation of this book, as well as a narrow piece of paper with the writing “For P.H. Welshimer Room” on it



• How Christian Unity Came to Alpha by J.H. Allen, with indecipherable handwriting on the spine, 1921


• Two Covenants and the Sabbath: Embracing an Exposition of the Two Bible Testaments; a Review of the “Two Covenants,” by Eld. Uriah Smith of the Seventh Day Adventist; and of Seventh Day Adventist Teaching in General by Eld. L.W. Spayd, 1898



The Christian Union Overture: A Interpretation of The Declaration and Address of Thomas Campbell by Frederick D. Kershner, 1923

Note: An extremely worn book, missing its cover



• Tract: “The Ministry of Angels” by Grant W. Speer, Autographed, circa 1945


• The New Reference Atlas of the World from CIRCAS. Hammond & Company with P.H. Welshimer’s name in the front, 1920

Box 19

The 1912 “Note Book” from Philips Bible Institute, 1912

Note: This item is very fragile and requires special handling

Box 20

III. Series: Papers, circa 1932-1957, undated

1. Subseries: P.H. Welshimer Sermons and Lessons, circa 1932-1955, undated

• Six folders containing sermon outlines, circa 1932-1955, undated:


• Sermon Outlines- Folder 1, circa 1932, undated


• Sermon Outlines- Folder 2, undated


• Sermon Outlines- Folder 3, circa 1955, undated


• Sermon Outlines- Folder 4, undated


• Sermon Outlines- Folder 5, circa1944-1952, undated



Sermon from Binder, undated

Note: This folder contains a small black binder with a sermon outline and inspirational poem written out on the pages inside. A folded scrap of notebook paper inside a front flap has a brief sentence or two describing the first part of P.H. Welshimer’s life.

Box 21

• Six folders containing sermon outlines, circa 1918-1955, undated:


• Sermon Outlines- Folder 6, undated


• Sermon Outlines- Folder 7, circa 1918, undated


• Sermon Outlines- Folder 8, undated


• Sermon Outlines- Folder 9, circa 1940, undated


• Sermon Outlines- Folder 10, circa 1955, undated


• Sermon Outlines- Folder 11, undated

Box 22

2. Subseries: Correspondence and Other Material from Various Authors, circa 1943-1955, undated

Original contents of a box titled “Letters and Brotherhood Affairs and Personal letters Aug 1- 1948,” circa 1943-1955, undated

Note: The papers include meeting minutes, sermons, and correspondence, all from multiple authors and organizations



• “Letters and Brotherhood Affairs and Personal letters Aug 1- 1948,” Unfiled, Files A-C, circa 1943-1955, undated


• “Letters and Brotherhood Affairs and Personal letters Aug 1- 1948,” Files D-Z, circa 1947-1954, undated

Box 23

3. Subseries: Sermon Duplicates, undated

• Photocopies of P.H. Welshimer’s sermon outlines

Box 24

4. Subseries: “circa 1995” Items, circa 1934, undated

Folder: “circa 1995”

Note: It contains more of Welshimer’s handwritten sermon outlines and photocopies of these outlines

5. Subseries: Welshimer Letters, 1934-1957, undated

Welshimer Letters, 1934-1957, undated

Note: Correspondence between P.H. Welshimer and Francis M. Arrant, though the first sheet of paper is a quote from Mildred Welshimer concerning her father’s death.

Box 25

IV. Series: Publications, circa 1897-1963, undated

1. Subseries: About P.H. Welshimer, various authors, circa 1901-1958, undated

• Three folders containing publications describing the work of P.H. Welshimer, circa 1901-1958, undated



Publications about P.H. Welshimer- Folder 1: Ladies’ Home Journal, 1916

Note: This folder contains a copy of the Ladies’ Home Journal from 1916, missing its cover, which features a photographic spread of the largest Sunday School programs in the United States, including Welshimer’s First Christian Church



• Publications about P.H. Welshimer- Folder 2: Undated, 1901-1945


• Publications about P.H. Welshimer- Folder 3: 1946-1957



Publications about P.H. Welshimer- Folder 4: Legacy, 1957-1958

Note: This folder contains publications about Welshimer written after his death

Box 26

2. Subseries: By P.H. Welshimer, various authors, circa 1897-1958, undated

• Three folders containing publications with articles by P. H. Welshimer, circa 1914-1957, undated


• Publications about P.H. Welshimer- Folder 1: Undated, 1914-1945


• Publications about P.H. Welshimer- Folder 2: 1946-1957

Box 27

• Five folders containing the original contents of two boxes titled “Addresses and Articles by P.H.W.” and “Lookout Lessons by PHW,” circa 1897-1958, undated:



Folder 1: “Addresses and Articles by P.H.W.”- Unfiled, circa 1916-1942

Note: This folder includes one publication about P.H. Welshimer, a 1916 magazine article mockup on First Christian Church’s Sunday School program




Folder 2: “Addresses and Articles by P.H.W.”- A-G, circa 1921-1957, undated

Note: contains articles from journals and magazines (as well as some of the drafts), and transcripts and outlines of speeches that Welshimer gave




Folder 3: “Addresses and Articles by P.H.W.”- H-Z, circa 1897-1957, undated

Note: contains publications, addresses, and drafts of both



• Folder 4: “Lookout Lessons by PHW”- Files A-L, circa 1938-1958, undated


• Folder 5: “Lookout Lessons by PHW”- Files M-Z, circa 1937-1958, undated

Box 28

3. Subseries: Phillips Bible Institute Annual, 1916

PBI Annual 1916, 1916

Note: It contains a coverless copy of the PBI’s 1916 yearbook, though some of the pages are not attached to the binding and are out of order.

Note: This item is very fragile and requires special handling.

4. Subseries: Between the Lookout’s Pages, circa 1935-1963, undated

Between the Pages, circa 1935-1963, undated

Note: featuring material originally found between the pages of the Lookout issue from January 5, 1936. The material is primarily publications either about or by P.H. Welshimer.

5. Subseries: Published About or By Others, circa 1937-1957, undated

Published About/By Others, circa 1937-1957, undated

Note: primarily featuring material about or by Welshimer’s immediate family, especially poetry from his daughter, Helen Welshimer. There is also one handwritten note at the back of the folder.

Box 29

6. Subseries: Pamphlets, circa 1912-1952, undated

• Note: Twelve published pamphlets with P. H. Welshimer contributions


• Two frayed editions of A Bible School Vision, undated



Two issues of The Upper Room Pulpit, November 1952

Note: The top copy has the numbers “1880” written on the back in pen



• Two 1940 editions of The Christian Man at Work



A frayed teacher’s edition of The Bible: 13 Studies on the Book of Books, undated

Note: The front has P.H. Welshimer’s signature on the top, and the bottom has the note, “I have two lessons in this quarterly- P.H.W.”



• A frayed student edition of The Bible: 13 Studies on the Book of Books, undated



Issue of the Standard Teacher’s Quarterly, published January 7, 1912

Note: Handwritten on the front is the message: “Prepared by PH Welshimer 1912: Given to Mildred June 1-1937.” It is missing its back cover and the spine is very frayed.

Note: This item is very fragile and requires special handling.



• Issue of The Standard Bible School Worker, the fourth number of 1926


• Two issues of The Shane Quarterly, January 1945