Lyman Parks collection

Collection

Identifier: Collection 294

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection documents the life and works of Lyman S. Parks. The Grand Rapids Press clippings span the late 1960s-2001, but predominantly feature articles from the early to mid-1970s related to his mayoral position. They are organized chronologically and do not contain all articles pertaining to Lyman Parks from the period listed.

The photographs primarily depict him during his term as mayor and during his early days in portrait photos and with family. The retirement memorabilia include stationary from his retirement party, personal letters from former President Gerald R. Ford, Sen. Dick Posthumus, and other friends both locally and nationally notable. The collection predominantly features Parks’ time as mayor. The slide show has been made into a video that may be found in Coll. 175, the GRPL Moving Images Collection.

Dates

1917-2001

Biographical / Historical

Lyman S. Parks was mayor of Grand Rapids from November 1971 to January 1976, and pastor of First A.M.E. Church from 1966-1986. He was born in Princeton, Indiana on March 12, 1917. He attended Indiana State Teachers College from 1936-37 and Wilberforce University and Payne Theological Seminary from 1940-41. He served as pastor of Bethel A.M.E Church in Marion, Indiana from 1944-47, and pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Richmond, Indiana from 1947-51. In 1951 he received an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Allen University. He served as pastor at the A.M.E Church of Ann Arbor, Michigan from 1952-64, and pastor of the A.M.E. Church of River Rogue, Michigan from 1964-1966. In 1966, Parks became the pastor of First A.M.E. Church in Grand Rapids where he served until 1986.

In February 1968, Parks was elected as Third Ward Commissioner. Upon the resignation of Mayor Robert Boelens in June 1971, Parks was appointed as mayor. Parks was elected mayor in his own right in November of 1971, beating out Boelens and several other candidates. After losing the 1975 mayoral election to Abe Drasin, Parks became a clerk-typist in the city’s Traffic Bureau, and served his church full time. In 1982, Parks was appointed to the State Officers Compensation Commission by Governor William Milliken. In 1986, Parks retired from his position as pastor at First A.M.E. Church, and became pastor of another A.M.E. Church in Chicago. He moved back to Grand Rapids in January of 2001.

Extent

1.1 Linear Feet (Two boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Lyman S. Parks (1917-2009) was the mayor of Grand Rapids, Michigan from 1971 to 1976. He was the first African American to serve as mayor in Grand Rapids and was also the first African American elected as city commissioner. This collection was created by staff of the local history department at the Grand Rapids Public Library in anticipation of Park's retirement and recognition banquet on May 2, 1986.

The collection contains Grand Rapids Press newspaper clippings, correspondence, research notes and data related to the 1986 banquet. Also included are copy photos of Park’s early days and family, images from his pastoral role at A.M.E. First Community Church and from his time as Grand Rapids Mayor. A slide show used during the banquet is also included in the collection.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gordon Olson and library staff, accession number 1986.420.

Related Materials

Collection 164 GRPL Oral History Collection. Parks November 1985 interview.

The Bentley Historical Library of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, also has Lyman Parks materials.