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. 
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United Negro College Fund Presidents at the United Nations, March 18, 1955
1955-03-08
United Negro College Fund Presidents visit the United Nations. Written on recto: United Negro College Fund Presidents at the United Nations - 3/18/55. Written on verso: "(VIS:USA:55) PRESIDENTS OF THE NEGRO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES VISIT U.N. UN 45439 - UNITED NATIONS, N.Y., 18 March 1955 - The 33 Presidents of the members of the colleges and universities of the United Negro College Fund this afternoon visited United Nations Headquarters, in New York. Some of them are seen here in one of the U.N. conference rooms, as they were listening to a short welcoming address by Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold. Their visit was organized by the United States Mission to the U.N. Please credit: UNITED NATIONS AF/pcd.
Presidents, Portraits and people, Special events
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
United Negro College Fund Presidents visit the United Nations. Written on recto: United Negro College Fund Presidents at the United Nations - 3/18/55. Written on verso: "(VIS:USA:55) PRESIDENTS OF THE NEGRO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES VISIT U.N. UN 45439 - UNITED NATIONS, N.Y., 18 March 1955 - The 33 Presidents of the members of the colleges and universities of the United Negro College Fund this afternoon visited United Nations Headquarters, in New York. Some of them are seen here in one of the U.N. conference rooms, as they were listening to a short welcoming address by Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold. Their visit was organized by the United States Mission to the U.N. Please credit: UNITED NATIONS AF/pcd.
Japanese Lecturer in the Library, circa 1962
1959/1965
A guest lecturer from Japan talks about Japanese writing. Written on verso: Japanese Lecturer in Library - 1964. A visiting Japanese Lecturer, 196[2]. Written on recto: A visiting Japanese Lecturer - 1962.
Portraits and people, Lectures and lecturing, Education--Religion
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
A guest lecturer from Japan talks about Japanese writing. Written on verso: Japanese Lecturer in Library - 1964. A visiting Japanese Lecturer, 196[2]. Written on recto: A visiting Japanese Lecturer - 1962.
ITC President Grant S. Shockley, circa 1964
1961/1967
Portrait of Dr. Grant Shockley.
Presidents, Portraits and people
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Portrait of Dr. Grant Shockley.
Oswald Bronson, circa 1964
1961/1967
Portrait of Oswald Bronson.
Presidents, Portraits and people
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Portrait of Oswald Bronson.
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Graduating Class, May 1964
1964-05
The graduating class of 1964 stand at the steps of an unidentified building for a class photo. Written on verso: Commencement at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary - May, 1964. Th.M. Degree James H. Costen - Back Floor Left.
Commencement ceremonies, Portraits and people, African American universities and colleges, Education--Religion
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The graduating class of 1964 stand at the steps of an unidentified building for a class photo. Written on verso: Commencement at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary - May, 1964. Th.M. Degree James H. Costen - Back Floor Left.
176th General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church, May 1964
1964-05
The 176th General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church stand in front of the Washita Presbytery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Portraits and people, Groups and organizations, African American Presbyterians
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The 176th General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church stand in front of the Washita Presbytery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
"Homes and Community", 1965
1965
A brochure published by the American Friends Service Committee about race and integrated neighborhood housing..
African Americans--Housing, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
A brochure published by the American Friends Service Committee about race and integrated neighborhood housing..
Dorathy Ku, Josephine Richards, & Casuo, 1966
1966
Dorathy Ku, Josephine Richards, & Casuo stand in front of an Egyptian themed quilt hanging on a wall. Written on verso: Dorathy Ku, Josephine Richards, Casuo.
Portraits and people
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Dorathy Ku, Josephine Richards, & Casuo stand in front of an Egyptian themed quilt hanging on a wall. Written on verso: Dorathy Ku, Josephine Richards, Casuo.
"A Home of Our Own", November 1966
1966-11
A guide for African American home owners explaining searching, buying, and closing on a house with a list of resources.
African Americans--Housing, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
A guide for African American home owners explaining searching, buying, and closing on a house with a list of resources.
"Slum Ghettos", February 1967
1967-02
A study about race and integrated neighborhood housing.
African Americans--Housing, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
A study about race and integrated neighborhood housing.
Dr. Hyla S. Watters with I.T.C. Directors, February 22, 1968
1968-02-22
Dr. Hyla S. Watters stands with Harry V. Richardson and Directors while holding a wrapped gift in her hands. Written on verso: 2/22/68 Dr. Hyla S. Watters visits L.T.C. - seen with HVR & Directors.
Presidents, Portraits and people, Special events
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Hyla S. Watters stands with Harry V. Richardson and Directors while holding a wrapped gift in her hands. Written on verso: 2/22/68 Dr. Hyla S. Watters visits L.T.C. - seen with HVR & Directors.
"Only a Beginning, But a Very Significant One," May 29, 1968
1968-05-29
A booklet of conference proceedings on equal opportunity in housing.
African Americans--Housing, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
A booklet of conference proceedings on equal opportunity in housing.
Founding Fathers, circa 1971
1968/1973
B. E. Mays, H.V. Richardson and Bishop B. Julian Smith stand together. Written on verso: L. to R.: Pres. B. E. Mays, Pres. H.V. Richardson and Bishop B. Julian Smith.
Presidents, Portraits and people
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
B. E. Mays, H.V. Richardson and Bishop B. Julian Smith stand together. Written on verso: L. to R.: Pres. B. E. Mays, Pres. H.V. Richardson and Bishop B. Julian Smith.
Harry and Selma Richardson Meet with an Unidentified Couple, circa 1971
1968/1974
Harry and Selma Richardson meet with an international couple.
Presidents, Portraits and people
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Harry and Selma Richardson meet with an international couple.
Deotis Roberts, circa 1972
1970/1975
Deotis Roberts speaking.
Presidents, Portraits and people
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Deotis Roberts speaking.
Harry V. Richardson, circa 1973
1970/1976
Portrait of Harry V. Richardson.
Presidents, Portraits and people
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Portrait of Harry V. Richardson.
Martin Luther King Sr., circa 1973
1970/1976
Portrait of Martin Luther King Sr.
Portraits and people
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Portrait of Martin Luther King Sr.
Small Churches, 1972
1972
African American Presbyterians, Church buildings, African Americans--Social conditions
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
I.T.C. President Dr. Grant Shockley and Minnie Wright, circa 1975
1972/1978
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.
Presidents, Portraits and people
James H. Costen 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.
Oswald Bronson, circa 1975
1973/1978
Portrait of Oswald Bronson.
Presidents, Portraits and people
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Portrait of Oswald Bronson.