Dr. James H. Costen was Presbyterian minister and educator, and served as president of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) from 1983 to 1997. In 1969, he became the first Dean of the Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary the only historically Black theological seminary of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Costenss records tell the story of an active educator and administrator with the papers providing rich resources in the study of African American religion and education in the South. At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu. 
Jun 13, 2019

James H. Costen Collection

Dr. James H. Costen was Presbyterian minister and educator, and served as president of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) from 1983 to 1997. In 1969, he became the first Dean of the Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary the only historically Black theological seminary of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Costenss records tell the story of an active educator and administrator with the papers providing rich resources in the study of African American religion and education in the South.

At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu. 
223 Objects displayed
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James H. Costen Collection
Interview with Hampton T. McFadden, May 1, 1975
Date Created
1978-05-01
Description
Subject
African American Presbyterians, Interviews, Church history, African Americans--Education, Oral history
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Interview with J. W. Smith, Continued, January 28, 1975
Date Created
1975-01-28
Description
Subject
African American Presbyterians, Interviews, Church history, African Americans--Education, Oral history
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Interview with J. W. Smith, January 28, 1975
Date Created
1975-01-28
Description
Subject
African American Presbyterians, Interviews, Church history, African Americans--Education, Oral history
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Interview with Reverend Hercules Wilson, January 28, 1975
Date Created
1975-01-28
Description
Subject
African American Presbyterians, Interviews, Church history, African Americans--Education, Oral history
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
I.T.C. chorus singing led by Melva Costen.
James H. Costen Collection
I.T.C. Center Chorus, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
I.T.C. chorus singing led by Melva Costen.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, Gospel music, African Americans--Music
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
I.T.C. chorus singing led by Melva Costen. Written on recto: Music I.T.C. Center Chorus.
James H. Costen Collection
I.T.C. Center Chorus, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
I.T.C. chorus singing led by Melva Costen. Written on recto: Music I.T.C. Center Chorus.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, Gospel music, African Americans--Music
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Members of the I.T.C. Center Chorus singing.
James H. Costen Collection
I.T.C. Center Chorus, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Members of the I.T.C. Center Chorus singing.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, Gospel music, African Americans--Music
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Melva Costen directs the I.T.C Center Chorus. Written on recto: I.T.C. Center Chorus Directress: Dr. Melva Costen.
James H. Costen Collection
I.T.C. Center Chorus Directress Dr. Melva Costen, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Melva Costen directs the I.T.C Center Chorus. Written on recto: I.T.C. Center Chorus Directress: Dr. Melva Costen.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, Gospel music, African Americans--Music
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The I.T.C. chorus performs at graduation led by Melva Costen.
James H. Costen Collection
I.T.C. Center Chorus Directress Leads Chorus, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
The I.T.C. chorus performs at graduation led by Melva Costen.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, Gospel music, African Americans--Music
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The I.T.C. Center Chorus sits during a commencement speech.
James H. Costen Collection
I.T.C. Center Chorus Rests During Speech, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
The I.T.C. Center Chorus sits during a commencement speech.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, Gospel music, African Americans--Music
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified graduate receives a hood.
James H. Costen Collection
I.T.C. Graduate Receives Hood, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified graduate receives a hood.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified I.T.C. graduate stands with her classmates as part of the graduation ceremonies.
James H. Costen Collection
I.T.C. Graduates Standing, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified I.T.C. graduate stands with her classmates as part of the graduation ceremonies.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Minnie Wright and Dr. Grant Shockley hold an piece of paper at Dr. Shockley's desk. Written on verso: Pacs. See. Minnie Wright & Dr. Shockley.
James H. Costen Collection
I.T.C. President Dr. Grant Shockley and Minnie Wright, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
Minnie Wright and Dr. Grant Shockley hold an piece of paper at Dr. Shockley's desk. Written on verso: Pacs. See. Minnie Wright & Dr. Shockley.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Portrait of Dr. Grant Shockley.
James H. Costen Collection
ITC President Grant S. Shockley, circa 1964
Date Created
1961/1967
Description
Portrait of Dr. Grant Shockley.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
James Costen, Jane Jeeles at an internal campaign. Written on verso: Terence Gray Internal Campaign - Costen, Jane Jeeles.
James H. Costen Collection
James Costen and Jane Jeeles at an Internal Campaign, 1988
Date Created
1988
Description
James Costen, Jane Jeeles at an internal campaign. Written on verso: Terence Gray Internal Campaign - Costen, Jane Jeeles.
Subject
Portraits and people, Theological seminaries, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
James Costen and Mance Jackson stand with an unidentified woman. Written on verso: Costen, Mance Jackson.
James H. Costen Collection
James Costen and Mance Jackson, circa 1994
Date Created
1991/1997
Description
James Costen and Mance Jackson stand with an unidentified woman. Written on verso: Costen, Mance Jackson.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
James Costen stands with other unidentified people in front of an unidentified building.
James H. Costen Collection
James Costen and Others, circa 1995
Date Created
1992/1998
Description
James Costen stands with other unidentified people in front of an unidentified building.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
James Costen and an Unidentified man laughing while attending an event featuring Rev. Jesse Jackson.
James H. Costen Collection
James Costen and Unidentified Man in an Auditorium, circa 1995
Date Created
1992/1998
Description
James Costen and an Unidentified man laughing while attending an event featuring Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
James Costen and an unidentified man sit at a table and read off a sheet of paper.
James H. Costen Collection
James Costen and Unidentified Man Reading, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
James Costen and an unidentified man sit at a table and read off a sheet of paper.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
James Costen and an Unidentified man sit and listen to a speech given by Rev. Jesse Jackson.
James H. Costen Collection
James Costen and Unidentified Man Sitting Together, circa 1995
Date Created
1992/1998
Description
James Costen and an Unidentified man sit and listen to a speech given by Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection