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Kemper, Jackson, 1789-1870. Jackson Kemper papers, 1811-1878.

Title: Jackson Kemper papers, 1811-1878.

Papers by and about the founder of the Episcopal Church in the Middle West span his career and deal with most of the concerns of the Church in this period as well as some of the events of his episcopate. They begin with his declining a call to St. Paul's Parish, Baltimore, 1813, and correspondence while rector of churches in Philadelphia, 1811-1831, chiefly with Bishop James Kemp, concerning such subjects as affairs of the General Theological Seminary, Bishop William White's papers, Kemper's ministry to Blacks in Philadelphia, his recommendation of the Reverend William Levington, first Negro Episcopal clergyman to come to Maryland, and other clergy matters. Four letters of 1832, written while rector of St. Paul's Church, Norwalk, Conn., include mention of family affairs and his possible election as Bishop of the proposed Diocese of the Southwest. In 1835 he is consecrated Bishop of Missouri and Indiana. Most of the papers date from Kemper's years as bishop and many are addressed to Bishop William Rollinson Whittingham. They deal with affairs of the Church in his vast territory, such as educational enterprises (especially Kemper College, Missouri, Jubilee College, Illinois, and Racine College, Wisconsin); Kemper's wish to establish a theological seminary, for the West; Nashotah House; activities and travels in Missouri and Iowa and controversies with Roman Catholic bishops there; missionary work in Minnesota, Kansas, and Nebraska; preparation of a Prayer Book for Oneida Indians; fund raising for western missions and institutions; life in Wisconsin and affairs of the Church there; and a host of clergymen, including James Lloyd Breck, James Abercrombie, William Adams, John V. Van Ingen, William E. Wyatt, and Dr. John Edward Garner. Kemper expresses high regard for Bishop Whittingham and offers to assist him, asks his advice on church practices, and comments on Whittingham's dispute with the Reverend Joseph Trapnell, Jr. There are also references to Kemper's visits to Maryland. Other subjects in these papers are business of the House of Bishops; matters before various General Conventions and views on the organization of General Conventions; the trials of Bishops Benjamin T. Onderdonk and Henry U. Onderdonk; opposition to the consecration of Bishop William C. Doane; and opinions about Bishops Philander Chase and Henry J. Whitehouse and Church affairs in Illinois, Kansas, and New York. Other letters concern relations with the Church of England, including the Lambeth Conference of 1867. There are references to Kemper's ill health and death, and subsequent papers concerning him.

ArchivalResource: 157 items.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/658860832 View