Warnick, Kate, 1896-1993

Marion Kate Cullom was born in Garland, Texas, the daughter of Dora Sewell Cullom and newspaperman John H. Cullom. As a young adult, Kate studied music at Southern Methodist University. She began working in the SMU library under the direction of Dorothy Amann in the fall of 1918. On May 20, 1920, she married John Warnick, an Army Air Corps veteran of World War I.

Kate Warnick served as Librarian of the SMU School of Theology from 1924 until 1949 and as Reference and Methodist Historical Librarian for Perkins School of Theology from 1950 to 1979. Her scholarship contributed to the production of Golden Prologue to the Future: A History of the Highland Park Methodist Church (1966) and Encyclopedia of World Methodism (1974). Kate Warnick was a member of the American Library Association, American Theological Library Association, and Southwestern Society of Biblical Research. She served one term as President of the Methodist Librarians Fellowship (1963-64) and several years as Librarian-Historian of the South Central Jurisdictional Association of Methodist Historical Societies.

On the personal side, Kate Cullom Warnick is remembered for her warm, welcoming personality, for taking a personal interest in the library patrons she served, for her thorough knowledge of the library’s collections, and for the delight she took in following the careers of people she knew as students. Kate Warnick was a talented singer, pianist, and organist. She was a long-term member of Highland Park United Methodist Church. Mrs. Warnick also enjoyed participating in the Dallas Historical Society, the Dallas Art Association, Sigma Kappa, the University Women’s Club, SMU Dames, and Colophon.

A document found in the collection quotes Decherd Turner, Director of Bridwell Library, as stating:

Since 1979, the Texas United Methodist Historical Society has recognized outstanding United Methodist local church history publications by giving annual Kate Warnick Awards. These awards began in Kate Warnick’s honor and continue in her memory.

Note:

1 Statement quoted in the dedication printed in the choral anthem Lord Jesus, Think of Me by Philip E. Baker, 1977. Source: Kate Warnick Papers, Bridwell Library, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Box 573B, Folder 32.

For six decades Kate has given devoted service to the world of Methodism through her work at Bridwell Library. Her warmth of spirit and command of the materials have touched the lives and work of a remarkable percentage of the clergy of the Southwest. But even the borders of the great Southwest are insufficient to contain her labors. Like Mr. Wesley, the world has been Kate’s parish, too. The writer Carlyle in describing Frederick the Great wrote: "So expert was he, and a living archive in that business." Bridwell Library does not have Frederick the Great, but it has that which is better – Kate the Great, our living archive! 1

From the guide to the Kate Warnick papers BridArch 203. 03 and SMU 1995. 0244., 1905-1984, 1926-1972, (Bridwell Library, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University)