The Paul Austin Wolfe Manuscript Collection

Collection

Identifier: SCM 160

Staff Only

Scope and Content

This collection includes sermons and addresses, correspondence, committee reports and related materials, Brick Presbyterian Church of New York City bulletins and histories, and miscellanea.

Dates

1931 - 1964

Creator

Wolfe, Paul Austin, 1898-1964 (Person)

Language of Materials

English

Access:

There are no special restrictions to the access of this collection. It may be examined by library patrons under the normal rules and conditions of Special Collections.

Preferred Citation

The following is the acceptable citation for publication: The Paul Austin Wolfe Manuscript Collection. Special Collections, Princeton Theological Seminary Library.

Chronology

1898 June 24
: Born, Avalon, Missouri
1918
: Graduated, Carleton College, Minnesota
1921
: Graduated, Yale Divinity School
1922
: Ordained
1922-1925
: Assistant pastor, 5th Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York
1925-1928
: Pastor, Keene Valley Congregational Church, New York
1926
: Married to Helena Woodbridge
1928-1932
: Chaplain, Taft School, Watertown, Connecticut
1932-1938
: Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Evanston, Illinois
1938-1964
: Brick Presbyterian Church, Park Avenue at 91st Street, New York City
1964
: Died

Biographical Information

The Rev. Dr. Wolfe was born in Avalon, Missouri on June 24, 1898 and was a graduate of Carleton College in North Field, Minnesota, 1918 and the Yale Divinity School, 1921. He was ordained in 1922 as an Assistant at the 5th Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City and became pastor of the Keene Valley Presbyterian Church, New York in 1925 where he remained until 1928.

He married Helena Woodbridge of New York City in 1926. They had four daughters, Helena, Julia, Barbara and Debora.

He was chaplain of the Taft School, Watertown, Connecticut 1928 - 1932 and pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Evanston, Illinois, 1932 - 1938. He became pastor of the Brick Presbyterian Church, Park Avenue at 91st Street, New York City, in 1938. He remained in this post he remained until his death in 1964.

Dr. Wolfe was a great authority on Abraham Lincoln and spoke frequently on Lincoln around the country. He was also a thoughtful critic of the public school system and many of his insights and concerns in this area are still relevant. Dr. Wolfe received ten honorary doctorates and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society.

Extent

31.4 Linear Feet (29 Boxes)

Additional Description

Arrangement

Series I: Sermons and Addresses. This collection includes sermons for most Sundays between 1931 and 1964. Major addresses and sermons for especially significant events are noted. (Boxes 1-15)

Series II: Correspondence (Boxes 16-21)

Series III: Committee Work Material (Boxes 22-25)

Series IV: Miscellaneous Papers (Box 26)

Series V. Brick Church Bulletins and History (Boxes 27-29)

Processing Information:

This collection was processed, and the original finding aid was written in the summer of 1995, by Timothy J. Smith, under the direction of William O. Harris, Archivist. The finding aid was edited by Sarah Seraphin and Daved Anthony Schmidt in May of 2009.