Document Type
Finding Aid
Publication Date
5-16-2026
Inclusive Dates--Span
1916-2006
Inclusive Dates--Bulk
1916-2006
Scope and Content Note
This collection consists of artifacts relating to the life and ministry of Van Bonneau. Included are ministry records, printed materials, poetry, correspondence, memorabilia, financial documents, photographs, and catalogues from Gunter Bible College (later renamed Littlefield College). Also included are audio cassettes. These materials reflect Bonneau’s influence among Non-Sunday or Non-Class School Churches of Christ.
Biographical Note
Biographical details sourced from Bonneau's obituary in The Wellington Leader, May 9, 1986:
Richard Vanderhorst Bonneau ("Brother Van") was born in 1902. He is the son of Richard Vanderhorst Bonneau, Sr. and Martha L. Garrett. He was named after his Grand Uncle Maj. Richard Vanderhorst Bonneau, a graduate of West Point and Confederate Veteran. Bonneau was a Church of Christ minister, and lived at Dodson for many years before going to Farmers Branch in 1972.
Bonneau held his first gospel service in June 1925, and from that time, held meetings from coast to coast. Bonneau was born Feb. 24, 1902, in Millsap. He attended Gunter Bible College to prepare for the Church of Christ ministry, and in 1926, he and Erma Jameson, of Dodsonville were married at Dozier. They moved to Dodson, then Dodsonville, during the summer of 1929 and established the family home on a quarter section of land at the south edge of town. It was given to them by her parents, as a wedding gift, and they still own it. Later, they moved to Carrollton to be near their children, then to Farmers Branch. Meanwhile, in 1957, the family returned to Gunter for one school semester while Mr. Bonneau finished his studies at Austin College in Sherman, receiving a B.A. degree in History and English. In addition to the meetings he held across the United States. Mr. Bonneau published a book of sermons, "Gospel Meditations," in 1977.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Bonneau taught in the Dodson Schools and he taught full time during World War II. In 1969 he toured the Holy Land. Mr. Bonneau bred Partridge-Plymouth Rock chickens through the years, entering them regularly in shows across the country, winning many ribbons and trophies. His first blue ribbon was from the State Fair of Texas in 1930. The last was from that same fair in 1983. He died in 1986.
Donor Note
Ed Bonneau, son of Van Bonneau
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in three series: Ministry Records, V.B. Memorabilia, and Gunter Bible College Materials.
Content List
See PDF finding aid for a listing of the folders.
Subjects
Churches of Christ--Texas
Language
ENGLISH
Extent of Collection
2 linear feet (2 boxes)
Manuscript Number
Center for Restoration Studies Manuscripts #109
Physical Location
Center for Restoration Studies
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], [file or folder name], Van Bonneau Collection, 1916-2006. Center for Restoration Studies MS #109. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.
Use Restrictions
Open to researchers. Contact Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives to make an appointment.
Processing Status
Processed
Finding Aid created by
Brown/Mendoza/Janssen, Audrey Schaffner, Amanda Dietz, Mac Ice
Subjects--Personal Names
Bonneau, Van
Comments
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