Archives West Finding Aid

The Charles Detweiler Papers are divided into series according to separate mediums. The most prolific media are Detweiler's sermons, manuscripts and articles, which focus on the missionary field in Latin America. There are also religious pamphlets, photographs, and scrapbooks. This collection contains texts written in both English and Spanish. Some of the most interesting information in this collection pertains to Detweiler's first years of missionary service in an uncivilized Ecuador at the turn of the 20th century. Later some of his writings attend to the turbulent years of revolution and political unrest in Latin America. These cultural and historical highlights are spread amongst a large amount of religious writings.

Series I, Correspondence, contains incoming and outgoing correspondence of Charles Detweiler. Suberies IA, Outgoing Correspondence, contains letters, sent to family and associates from 1898-1955. The earliest letters, from 1898-1905, detailing the events of his first mission to Ecuador, were sent to his Aunt Grace, and stand out as the highlight of this collection. They describe his confrontations with Catholics, difficult attempts at spreading the gospel, adaptations and the political turmoil in the country. The next group of letters, sent to his daughters during the 1930's, only focuses on short times on trips to Central America and Mexico. Detweiler describes his trip to Latin America in October 1930, and a subsequent trip to El Salvador in February 1933, in which he mentions the slaying of a group of Indians in a Communist uprising. The latest letters, 1949-1955, are to associates. The last letter of 1955 contains a great biographical account. Subseries IB, Incoming Correspondence, contains Detweiler's letters, received from religious groups and missionaries, mainly referring to missionary business in Latin America. Casanella's letter of 1958 describes a tank attack of the Cuban revolution.

Series II, Sermons, contains a large number of Detweiler's sermons in various states of draft. Subseries A, Full Sermons, contains finished and typed copies of sermons in English only. These sermons have a more essayistic tone. Suberies B, Small Sermons, contains briefer, more conventional sermons, attending more directly to scripture, written in both English and Spanish, and less finished than the prior series. Subseries C, Notes and Outlines, contains even less refined sermons and are often organized around specific themes or biblical passages. These writings are in Spanish and English.

Series III, Literary Manuscripts, contains a variety of unpublished, or prepublished, material written by Detweiler, centering on religious and Latin American themes, and articles collected by him on the same subjects. Subseries A, Testimonial Addresses, contains speeches written to eulogize his associates, and presentations for religious groups. Subseries B, Articles, contains articles in manuscript form. Two articles entitled "Ecuador" summarize Detweiler's first mission. "My Spiritual Pilgrimage" is a good source of biographical information. Subseries C, Latin American Accounts and Reports, contains a variety of material about the state of things in Latin America. Some pieces are merely general statistics about a nation or general opinions of Detweiler presented informally. Also there are essays, a journal from a trip to Mexico, and addresses directed at Latin America. Subseries D, Spanish Speaking People in the United States, contains notes by Detweiler and news clippings on this topic. Suberies E, Miscellaneous, contains Detweiler's notes on various subjects, theology, book reviews, and others.

Series IV, Publications, contains a variety of published items by Detweiler, in both Spanish and English, and memoriam to Detweiler. Subseries A1, Articles in English, contains articles by Detweiler printed in newspapers and religious journals. The earliest articles contain reports from his mission in Ecuador. Many of the later articles are reports on Central American missions as well as religious treatises. There are many discussions of the affect of the Mexican revolution on religious practices and of the Nicaraguan revolution of the 1920's. In the articles of 7/28/1928 and 9/21/1933, Detweiler predicts the Cuban revolution, detailing a current depression. Articles from various publications are followed by copies of the Pastor's Round Table, which contain religious commentary by Detweiler. This subseries contains articles by Detweiler's partner in Ecuador, C. S. Chapman, written from the period of their service. Subseries A2, Articles in Spanish, contains Detweiler's writings in various publications, mainly on religion. Subseries B, Pamphlets and Books, contains religious pamphlets and a short book. The pamphlets are either religious treatises or descriptions of Latin American missions. "Tests for Missionaries" is an interesting missionary primer. There are mission histories of Cuba and Mexico. Subseries C, Memoriam, contains publications remembering Detweiler after his death, some take the form of children's stories but most are more biographical. The most informational of these is located in the journal of the Rocky Mountain Baptist Association.

Series V, Other Publications, contains journals, pamphlets and articles collected by Detweiler. Subseries A, Journals, contains publications in both Spanish and English on Latin American subjects. Baptist Crossroads and 40 Year History of Baptist Work in Puerto Rico contain accounts of missions and brief pieces on Detweiler's work. Subseries B, Pamphlets, contains religious treatises, mission descriptions, and brochures from Detweiler's home in Tarrytown, New York. Subseries C, Articles, contains a variety of articles on general religious topics.

Series VI, Guest Book, is a guest book filled with Spanish names, some accompanied by notes written in Spanish.

Series VII, Photographs, contains photo albums and loose photographs of Detweiler and Latin American religious associates. All the loose photographs seem to have been taken during Detweiler's trip to Cuba in 1953 to teach at a Baptist retreat. There is a photo album consisting of pictures from Mexico during the 1930's, which contains pictures of architecture, namely churches, and Mexican congregations. There is a scrapbook seemingly sent to Detweiler from missionaries in El Salvador containing photographs and clippings of Salvadorian missionaries and Baptists.

Series VIII, Oversize, contains a photo album from Puerto Rico, which seems to be a gift to Detweiler from a missionary or congregation. The album consists of photos of church officials, members, and ceremonies, as well as postcards and snapshots of Puerto Rican cities and sights.