Document Type

Finding Aid

Publication Date

2-10-2020

Inclusive Dates--Span

1936-1995

Inclusive Dates--Bulk

1941-1985

Scope and Content Note

This collection spans the entire academic career of one of Abilene Christian University’s most illustrious teachers from his undergraduate years at Abilene Christian College (ACC), through his Harvard years, and back to his alma mater up to his last semester on campus in the spring of 1985. The bulk of this collection consists of Lewis’ personal, hand-written notes taken down during his course work at Harvard Divinity School; his sermons and speeches given throughout his career, arranged by topic; and materials related to the church work Lewis accomplished in New England as well as the west Texas region.

The collection includes multiple iterations of Lewis’ lecture notes and outlines of early and modern church history. He delivered these lectures at ACC as well as local congregations such as University Church of Christ. The collection also contains class materials related to all subjects and courses Lewis taught during his career at ACU. The collection also included files on events and organizations Lewis was associated with such as the Bible Teacher’s Workshops hosted by ACC, the Rotary club, and Alpha Chi. The collection also consists of clippings Lewis collected along with personal items such as family bibles and photos, and subject files kept in Lewis’ office.

Biographical Note

LeMoine G. Lewis stands out in the line of ACU faculty as being an exuberant individual dedicated to teaching, challenging, and guiding young minds. He built a legacy of discipline in the pursuit of discovery and inspired others with the stories and knowledge he had gained through his own studies. His teaching acted as a catalyst in the academic community but also within the Church due to the unique way in which he expressed God’s love and committed himself to service. He established a reputation for personal excellence upon graduating valedictorian of his high school class in 1932. He continued this habit through his undergraduate years at Abilene Christian College, receiving a full scholarship for high marks in Bible while also being an integral part of the track team. During his early years at ACC his ministry activities included conducting services at the city jail and teaching to underprivileged children. He enrolled at Harvard Divinity School in 1941 where he earned his S.T.B. in 1944 and assisted in planting Churches of Christ in the New England area. He married Shirley Harrell in 1945 and joined the ACU teaching faculty in 1949 where he served until 1985. He briefly returned to Harvard in 1956 to complete his dissertation, “The Commentary: Jewish and Pagan Backgrounds in Origen’s Commentaries.” While teaching, he directed the Bible Teacher’s Workshop at ACU from 1959 through 1966 and his efforts in the Rotary Club and the Alpha Chi chapter on campus helped to reduce the distance between faculty and students and to provide more opportunities for students. Dr. Lewis influenced and molded many students; he is remembered for his brilliant oratory skills and his willingness to open his heart and home to the students he taught.

Donor Note

Lewis Family

Arrangement

The materials appear to have been retained most of their original order or organization. It was apparent that some versions and iterations of lecture notes were separated in the years since Dr. Lewis’ death, therefore some rearrangement was necessary to relocate them. The processors chose to order the collection in a roughly chronological manner.

Content List

Series I: The Harvard Years

Series II: Sermons and Speeches
Subseries A: Speeches
Subseries B: Sermons
Subseries C: Notes and Materials on Sermons 1935-1948
Subseries D: Brookline and Radio Ministry
Subseries E: Sermon Notes
Subseries F: ACU Speeches
Subseries G: UCC Sermons

Series III: Bible Teacher Workshops and Bible School Materials
Subseries A: Bible Teachers’ Workshops
Subseries B: Bible Teacher Workshop Letters
Subseries C: General Workshops
Subseries D: Bible School and Teacher Materials
Subseries E: Church Work

Series IV: Church History
Subseries A: Church History Wednesday Night Lectures
Subseries B: Church History Handouts, Assigned Readings, and Bibliographies
Subseries C: Original Church History Manuscripts of UCC Lectures

Series V: Class Materials (1959-1985)
Subseries A: Bible Classes
Subseries B: Student Evaluations
Subseries C: Grade Books

Series VI: Alpha Chi

Series VII: ACU Related Material
Subseries A: ACU Materials

Series VIII: Gospel Meetings and Correspondence
Subseries A: Meetings
Subseries B: Correspondence

Series IX: Dissertation Material

Series X: Personal Files
Subseries A: Scrapbooks
Subseries B: Personal Files and Works
Subseries C: Rotary Club
Subseries D: Seminar on Early Christianity

Series XI: Subject Files
Subseries A: Bulk Subject Files
Subseries B: Subject File References

Series XII: Newspapers, Magazines, Pamphlets, and Booklets
Subseries A: Magazines, Pamphlets, and Books
Subseries B: Newspapers

Subjects


Churches of Christ -- History -- 20th century
Churches of Christ -- Texas – Abilene
LeMoine G. Lewis
Lewis Family
Abilene Christian College
Abilene Christian University
Brookline Church of Christ
Highland Church of Christ
University Church of Christ
Harvard Divinity School
Origen
Bible Teacher Workshops
Bible Teacher Education
Early Church History
Modern Church History
Alpha Chi-Abilene Christian University
Rotary Club-Abilene, Texas
Scholarship
Audio Recordings
Correspondence
Scrapbooks
Pamphlets
Articles

Language

ENGLISH

Extent of Collection

68 Boxes

Manuscript Number

Center for Restoration Studies Manuscripts #13

Physical Location

Center for Restoration Studies

Use Restrictions

Open to researchers. Contact Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives to make an appointment.

Processing Status

Processed

Finding Aid created by

Sarah Dannemiller, Mac Ice, Amanda Dietz

Description

LeMoine Gaunce Lewis Papers, 1936-1995, finding aid.

Comments

Please contact us with questions about our holdings or to schedule a research visit.

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