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Duncan E. Littlefair sermons and biographical collection

 Collection
Identifier: Collection 102

Scope and Contents

The sermons and pamphlets detail the developing modern humanist theology of Duncan E. Littlefair and Fountain Street Church. Topics included the nature of God, Jesus, humanity, other world religions and biblical inspiration. As such the sermons demonstrate a shift toward the central place of humanity, akin to Unitarianism. The sermons apparently were presented extemporaneously and either recorded stenographically or on audio tapes, transcribed and printed. In most cases the sermons were presented during the spring on seven of eight successive Sundays and each season sermons were bound into a single volume.

Dates

  • 1945-1979

Creator

Biographical / Historical

Duncan E. Littlefair (b. 4 October 1912 in Toronto Canada – d. 2004) attended McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario and took his doctorate at the University of Chicago's Divinity School. Upon completion of his graduate work he took the pastorate of Union Church in Kenilworth, Illinois. In 1944 he was recruited by Fountain Street Baptist Church of Grand Rapids, theologically a relatively liberal church. The liberalism is traced to 1897 when the congregation hired J. Herman Randall, its first pastor trained at the University of Chicago Divinity School. After Randall resigned, the church hired Alfred W. Wishart, who remained from 1906 until 1933. Wishart brought the "social responsibility" gospel to Grand Rapids. During Littlefair's (schooled in the 1930s modern humanism) pastorate, the church became more liberal and separated from its Baptist affiliation in the late 1950s. Littlefair also increased church membership, attendance and member involvement to make Fountain Street Church a prominent local institution. Littlefair retired in 1978, but continued to serve on a part-time basis until 1980. He died in Grand Rapids Jan. 17, 2004.

Extent

1.42 Linear Feet (Three boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Duncan E. Littlefair (1912-2004) was the pastor of Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan from circa 1945 to 1979. This collection primarily includes sermons and pamphlets detailing his theology. Littlefair's tenure at Fountain Street Church continued a doctrine of liberalism. Littlefair, schooled in a theology based on 1930s modern humanism, created a popular liberal environment that increased membership and involvement, making the church one of the most prominent local institutions in the area. The changing elements of this humanism at Fountain Street Church, however, led to its separation from its roots and affiliation with the Baptist Church during the late 1950s. Also included are biographical documents pertaining to Littlefair.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Unknown donors. Includes accession numbers 2006.004; 2006.005.

Related Materials

Coll. 311. The Fountain Street Church Collection, including the sermons of Alfred Wishart. Fountain Street Church, as well as the Park Congregational Church, have long been neighbors of the Grand Rapids Public Library at its main downtown location. Most of the material in both Coll. 102 and 311 are believed to have been given by the Fountain Street Church and/or their pastors. The collections are updated occasionally when new material is given by the Church or Church members, or transferred within the Library's collections.

Coll. 096 Western Michigan Genealogical Society Church Records Collection. Includes microfiche of selected church records from area churches, collected and filmed by the Western Michigan Genealogical Society.

Coll. 270 Gathered at the River. Includes resources collected during this Humanities Council sponsored project to document Grand Rapids area churches.

Title
Finding Aid for the Duncan E. Littlefair sermons and biographical collection
Status
Completed
Author
Richard H. Harms
Date
August 1989
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository

Contact:
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497