Guide to the Charles P. Melcher Papers
Open for research.
Charles P. Melcher was ordained in 1925 by the Philadelphia North Presbytery of the PCUSA. His pastoral career was spent entirely in the Midwest, including service at Manteno, Illinois; Reedsberg, Wisconsin; and Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he spent the bulk of his ministry. Upon his retirement in 1965, Melcher continued his church and community activities in Madison, Wisconsin.
Record Group 194 consists of Charles P. Melcher's sermons, diaries, and miscellaneous items, 1925-1981.
SERIES 1: SERMONS AND CORRESPONDENCE (1931-1965)
Consists of Reverend Melcher's sermons during his pastoral career, primarily from his years in Eau Claire, 1947-1965.
SERIES 2: DIARIES (1934-1981)
Contains Melcher's diaries and/or record books from 1934-1981
SERIES 3: ADMINISTRATIVE PAPERS AND RETIREMENT WRITINGS (1925-1981)
These include marriage licenses and congregational reports. The committee work consists of newsletters, reports, and collected essays on the Historical Emphasis of the Church. Other of Melcher's retirement writings include his manuscript of the history of his pastoral career and his study on the power of preaching.
SERIES 4: RETIREMENT SERMONS AND CORRESPONDENCE (1965-1981)
Consists of Melcher's retirement sermons and correspondence, 1965-1981.
Collection processed and finding aid prepared: 1984
Laura E. Taylor, Archivist Intern
| Box | Folder | Description | |
| 1 | 1 | Finding Aid to Record Group 194 | |
| SERIES I: SERMONS AND CORRESPONDENCE, 1931-1965 | |||
| 1 | 2 | In Times of National Stress, 1931-1965 | |
| 1 | 3 | On Praise, The Boards, Mother's Day, Ministry, Gospel, Biographical, 1939-1945 | |
| 1 | 4 | On Church, Patriotism and War, 1940-1947 | |
| 1 | 5 | On Giving, Temperance, The Bible, Other, 1940-1946 | |
| 1 | 6 | Cullings, 1940-1946 | |
| 1 | 7-16 | 1947-1965 | |
| 2 | 1-3 | 1948-1965 | |
| 2 | 4 | Burial Services, 1949-1957 | |
| 2 | 5 | Services of Installation/Dedication, 1949-1965 | |
| 2 | 6 | Lenten Services, 1949-1965 | |
| 2 | 7 | 1950-1961 | |
| 2 | 8 | 1950-1964 | |
| 2 | 9 | 1950-1965 | |
| 2 | 10 | Addresses, Kiwanis Club, 1950-1965 | |
| 2 | 11 | Devotional Addresses, Luther Hospital, 1950-1965 | |
| 2 | 12 | Dedications/Anniversaries of Churches, 1951-1955 | |
| 2 | 13 | Thanksgiving, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, 1951-1964 | |
| 2 | 14 | Invocations, 1951-1965 | |
| 2 | 15 | 1953-1965 | |
| 2 | 16 | 1957-1961 | |
| 2 | 17 | Burial Services, 1958-1964 | |
| 2 | 18 | The Media, 1959-1965 | |
| 2 | 19 | Sermons, Home for the Aged, 1964-1965 | |
| SERIES II: DIARIES, 1934-1981 | |||
| 3 | 1-19 | 1934-1951 | |
| 4 | 1-4 | 1952-1955 | |
| 4 | 5 | 1962 | |
| 4 | 6-8 | 1965-1967 | |
| 4 | 9 | 1969 | |
| 4 | 10-16 | 1970-1976 | |
| 5 | 1-5 | 1977-1981 | |
| SERIES III: ADMINISTRATIVE PAPERS AND RETIREMENT WRITINGS, 1925-1981 | |||
| 5 | 6-10 | Administrative Papers, 1925-1965 | |
| 5 | 11 | Newsletters of Committee on History, 1963-1965 | |
| 5 | 12 | Presbytery of Madison: Committee on Historical Importance, 1971-1976 | |
| 5 | 13 | Reports on Historical Emphasis 1974-1976 | |
| 5 | 14 | Correspondence and Homiletics: A Retirement Study, 1927-1971 | |
| 5 | 15 | "A Pastoral Ministry": Retirement Writings, 1925-1965 | |
| 5 | 16 | "Behind the Scenes": Retirement Reflections, 1925-1965 | |
| SERIES IV: RETIREMENT SERMONS, 1965-1981 | |||
| 5 | 17 | 1965-1980 | |
| 6 | 1-2 | 1965-1980 | |
| 6 | 3 | Nursing Home Sermons, 1967-1979 | |
| 6 | 4 | Nursing Home Sermons, 1974-1981 | |
| 6 | 5 | 1965-1971 | |
| 6 | 6 | 1965-1981 | |
| 6 | 7 | 1966-1979 | |
| 6 | 8 | 1965-1981 | |
| 6 | 9 | 1965-1981 | |
| 6 | 10 | Miscellaneous Addresses, 1966-1978 | |
| 6 | 11 | Miscellaneous Addresses, 1968-1980 | |
| 6 | 12 | 1967-1980 | |
| 6 | 13 | 1967-1980 |