W. R. Walker Papers, 1901-1984, undated (bulk: 1911-1949)

Collection Title:

W. R. Walker Papers, 1901-1984, undated (bulk: 1911-1949)

Repository:

The Helsabeck Archives of the Stone-Campbell Movement

Emmanuel Christian Seminary Library at Milligan

1 Walker Drive

Johnson City, TN 37682

Email: archives@milligan.edu

Creator:

Walker, Wilmer Russell

Title:

W. R. Walker Papers, 1901-1984, undated (bulk: 1911-1949)

Collection No.

HSC0017

Extent

0.4 cubic feet (1 box)

Language(s):

English

Abstract:

W. R. Walker was an influential leader of the Stone-Campbell movement in the early to mid-1900s. This small collection contains some of his writings and reproductions of some of his correspondence with other Stone-Campbell Movement notables.

Biographical Note:

Wilmer Russell Walker was born in 1869, the son of Lewis and Matilda (Cooper) Walker. He eventually held degrees from several places, including Hiram College, Cincinnati Bible Seminary (Cincinnati Christian University), Bethany College, and Milligan College (now Milligan University). In 1891 he married Inas “Ina” Day, and they had five children: Dean, Errett, Donald, Waldo, and Barclay. Dean Walker would go on to be well-known throughout the Stone-Campbell Movement in his own right.

W. R. Walker was known throughout the Stone-Campbell Movement as a preacher and a leader in the movement. He taught at Phillips Bible Institute (run by his friend and Hiram College classmate P. H. Welshimer) and Bethany College from 1913 to 1920. He ministered in several churches, including the Indianola Church of Christ (Columbus, Ohio) from 1920 to 1948. He served as director of Standard Publishing and on committees for the North American Christian Convention, the World Convention of the Churches of Christ, and the International Convention of Disciples of Christ. He was a prolific writer and spoke at Christian service camps and colleges, including Milligan College (now Milligan University).

Walker passed away in 1963.

Arrangement:

Collection was gathered from files in the Helsabeck Archives reference files. It appears that a previous librarian or other person had made photocopies of most documents and filed those photocopies. Thus, the vast majority of the collection is reproductions. Katherine Banks organized these files into two series, mostly maintaining original file names and order: I. Series: General, 1911-1984, undated and II. Series: Correspondence, 1901-1930, undated. Series are arranged in alphabetical order.

Scope and Content Note:

The papers of W. R. Walker are mostly reproductions and are arranged into two series: General and Correspondence. The bulk of the collection spans 1911 to 1949. The General series spans 1911 to 1984 and contains undated material. This series contains photos of Walker, copies of various published materials, and a few sermon outlines and notes taken on his sermons. The Correspondence series spans 1901 to 1930 and contains undated material. This series includes correspondence with various notables in the Stone-Campbell Movement in the early 1900s, including P.H. Welshimer, Frederick Kershner, T.W. Phillips, and Russell Errett.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information:

Accession 2024-008

Note: There was no accession year available when this collection was processed, therefore the year when processing started is used for the accession record.

Access Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

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.

Preferred Citation:

[Item], W. R. Walker Papers, Collection HSC0017, The Helsabeck Archives of the Stone-Campbell Movement, Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan Library, Johnson City, TN.

Processing Information:

Processed by Katherine N. Banks

Completed in 2024

Folder List

Box 1

I. Series: General, 1911-1984, undated

• Photos, 1984, undated



• Published Materials, 1911-1949, undated



• Sermon Outlines and Notes, undated



• Tracts, undated

II. Series: Correspondence, 1901-1930, undated

• Abbott, B. A., Christian Evangelist, 1925-1929



• Bates, Miner Lee, Hiram College, 1911-1915



• Burnham, F. W., United Christian Missionary Society, 1920-1923



• Cahill, I. J., 1915-1921



• Errett, Russell, 1919-1930



• Kershner, F. D., 1919-1926



• Lappin, S. S., 1919



• Malpass, C. Dana, 1930



• Miscellaneous, 1901-1926



• Personal, Business, Miscellaneous, 1919-1922



• Phillips, T. W., 1918-1919



• Plaster, W. B., 1920



• Rutledge, George, Christian Standard, 1918



• Snead, S. T. (Brother Pete, Bethany College), 1917-1918



• Welshimer, P. H., 1919-1921



• White, Orilas G. (Brother Pete), 1918, undated