Church League of America

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The research files of this collection were obtained by the right-wing Church League of America from several prominent anti-communist organizations and individuals: American Business Consultants, Inc. (publishers of Counterattack ), Karl Baarslag, and the Wackenhut Corporation. All of these organizations and individuals had connections to the intelligence agencies of the United States government, kept detailed research files on individuals and organizations as part of their organizational or professional activities, and were a part of a right-wing research and information network that monitored Communists and other perceived threats to their interpretation of the American way of life.

The Church League of America was founded in Chicago in 1937 to oppose left-wing and Social Gospel influences in Christian thought and organizations. Its first director was Frank J. Loesch, head of the Chicago Crime Commission. The nonprofit organization became an influential anti-communist research and advocacy group in the 1950s, under the direction of former United States Air Force Intelligence Officer Major Edgar C. Bundy. In 1961, the Church League moved its headquarters to Wheaton, Illinois, where it continued its research operations, and created an extensive library of materials on subversive activity. Selling reports and access to its information was a major source of revenue for the Church League, and they also sometimes provided it without charge to like-minded researchers, including members of government and law enforcement agencies. The Church League’s research files also helped it generate materials to spread its anti-communist message through public speaking, books, pamphlets, films, and its newsletter, News and Views . The Church League of America dissolved in 1984.

The Church League of America received the research files of fellow anti-communists American Business Consultants, Inc. in 1968, at a time when ABC was undergoing financial difficulties as a result of libel lawsuits. During the McCarthy era, ABC had been a major force in identifying alleged Communists in entertainment, business, and unions. It was founded in 1947 by former FBI employees. The organization actively monitored individuals and organizations, particularly those it suspected were involved with the Communist Party USA. Their weekly publication Counterattack and special report Red Channels provided readers with information on allegedly subversive individuals and organizations.

Another source of the research files, the Wackenhut Corporation, was founded in 1954 by former-FBI employee George R. Wackenhut and other former FBI employees. The company, which provided private security and detective services to industry and government agencies, also kept extensive files on individuals and their political leanings, ostensibly to run background checks. Karl Baarslag, who served in the Office of Naval Intelligence during the Second World War, worked as a professional anti-communist researcher for Senator Joseph McCarthy, the American Legion, and the Church League. He also closely monitored individuals and organizations for potential Communist ties, and ultimately transferred many of his research files to the like-minded Wackenhut Corporation. In 1975, prompted by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Wackenhut gave many of its research files to the Church League of America. The Church League was not bound by the legislation, but had a similar political outlook and goals as the Wackenhut Corporation.

Sources:

"3 Democrats Scorn Bid From McCarthy." The New York Times, July 19, 1953.

Bayot, Jennifer. "George Wackenhut, 85, Dies: Founded Elite Security Firm." The New York Times, January 8, 2005.

The Church League of America. "What is the Church League of America?: A History of the Organization, Including its Founders, Scope of Activity, and How Individuals May Participate in its Mission."

Cogley, John. Blacklisting: Two Key Documents . New York: Arno Press, Inc., 1971.

Everitt, David. A Shadow of Red: Communism and the Blacklist in Radio and Television . Chicago: Ivan R. Dee, 2007.

"Karl Baarslag, Author and Ex-Congress Aide." The New York Times, January 14, 1984.

"Mr. Counterattack Quits." Time Magazine, June 30, 1952.

Ridgeway, James. "Spying for Industry." The New Republic, May 14, 1966.

Ross, Nancy L. "Detective Firm Says It Uses Right-Wing Group's Data." The Washington Post, January 27, 1977.

Schmeltzer, John. "Leader vows to resurrect Church League's influence." Chicago Tribune, May 27, 1983.

Schrecker, Ellen. Many Are the Crimes: McCarthyism in America . Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1998.

Wilcox, Clyde. God’s Warriors: The Christian Right in Twentieth-Century America . Baltimore and London: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1992.

From the guide to the The Church League of America Collection of the Research Files of, Counterattack, the Wackenhut Corporation, and Karl Baarslag, Bulk, 1945-1973, 1928-1973, (Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn James W. Clise papers, 1932-1961 University of Oregon Libraries. Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Robnett, George W. (George Washington), 1890-1970. George W. Robnett papers, 1932-1963. Stanford University, Hoover Institution Library
creatorOf Clise, James William, 1900-1961. James W. Clise papers, 1932-1961. University of Oregon Libraries
referencedIn George W. Robnett papers, 1937-1975 University of Oregon Libraries. Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Schomer, Howard, 1915-2001. Papers, 1928-2001. Andover-Harvard Theological Library
referencedIn Lee J. Adamson papers, 1954-1969 University of Oregon Libraries. Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Guide to the Daily Worker and Daily World Photographs Collection, 1920-2001 Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
referencedIn Adamson, Lee J., 1906-. Papers, 1954-1969. University of Oregon Libraries
creatorOf Guide to the Church League of America Collection of the Research Files of Counterattack, the Wackenhut Corporation, and Karl Baarslag, 1928-1973 Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
creatorOf Adamson, Lee J., 1906-. Lee J. Adamson papers, 1954-1969. University of Oregon Libraries
creatorOf Adamson, Lee J., 1906-. Papers, 1954-1969. University of Oregon Libraries
referencedIn Inventory of the John R. Anthony Papers TAMU MSS 00042., 1912-1977 Cushing Memorial Library,
creatorOf Church League of America. Church League of America : file of clippings and miscellanea. Michigan State University Libraries, Main Library
referencedIn J. B. Matthews Papers, 1862-1986 and undated David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
referencedIn George W. Robnett Papers, 1932-1963 Hoover Institution Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Adamson, Lee J., 1906- person
associatedWith American Business Consultants. corporateBody
associatedWith Anthony, John R. person
associatedWith Baarslag, Karl, 1900-1984 person
associatedWith Bierly, Kenneth M. person
associatedWith Clise, James William, 1900-1961. person
associatedWith Communist Party of the United States of America. corporateBody
associatedWith Counterattack (New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith James W. Clise, 1900-1961 person
associatedWith Keenan, John G. person
associatedWith Kirkpatrick, Theodore C. person
associatedWith Matthews, J. B. (Joseph Brown), 1894-1966 person
associatedWith Michigan State University. Library. American Radicalism Collection. corporateBody
associatedWith Robnett, George W. (George Washington), 1890-1970. person
associatedWith Schomer, Howard, 1915-2001 person
associatedWith United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activities. corporateBody
associatedWith Wackenhut Corporation. corporateBody
associatedWith Wackenhut, George R. (George Russell), 1919-2004 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
New York (N.Y.)
Florida.
United States
Subject
Anti-communist movements
Anti-communist movements
Communism
Communism
Domestic intelligence
Hollywood blacklist
Labor unions and communism
Peace movements
Private security services
Right-wing extremists
Right wing in America
Subversive activities
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

Active 1954

Active 1969

Information

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