BGCT, Hardin-Simmons acquire noted historian’s books, notes, manuscripts_41904

Posted: 4/16/04

BGCT, Hardin-Simmons acquire
noted historian's books, notes, manuscripts

Hardin-Simmons University and the Baptist General Convention of Texas have acquired rare books, manuscripts, notes and other materials on Baptist heritage gathered by Texas Baptist historian Leon McBeth.

“I am pleased that this collection of materials that represents a large part of my life's work will be available for use in the years to come,” said McBeth, who recently retired as distinguished professor of church history at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.

The entire "general inventory" of the extensive collection is almost 300 pages long, said Alan Lefever, director of the Texas Baptist Historical Collection in Dallas.

The collection will remain as a unit but will be housed in different locations.

Most of the materials will be at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene and at the Texas Baptist Historical Collection in Dallas.

Additional items will be housed with the Texas Baptist Heritage Center in Dallas.

Several Baptist entities expressed interest in housing the collection, but McBeth agreed to it being placed with Hardin-Simmons and the BGCT, said Bill Pinson, executive director emeritus of the BGCT and volunteer director of the Texas Baptist Heritage Center.

Tommy Brisco, dean of HSU's Logsdon School of Theology, said: “As entities focusing on Baptist heritage, mission and ministry, Hardin-Simmons and its Logsdon School of Theology are delighted to make resources available to utilize this collection.”

Leaders from the BGCT and Hardin-Simmons worked with librarians Teresa Ellis from the university and Naomi Taplin from the Texas Baptist Historical Collection to evaluate the best location for the various items in the collection. The process began in summer 2003.

For the most part, bound printed matter is at HSU in Abilene, while McBeth's personal papers–such as correspondence, sermon notes and outlines, research for publications, subject files, class notes and his student papers–are in Dallas.

Persons interested in using materials in the collection may contact Brisco at the Logsdon School of Theology, Hardin-Simmons University, HSU P. O. Box 16235, Abilene 79698; phone 325-670-1287 or e-mail tbrisco@hsutx.edu. Lefever may be contacted at 4144 N. Central Expressway, Ste. 110, Dallas 75204; phone 972-331-2235 or e-mail lefever@bgct.org.