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. 
150 Objects displayed
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  • Decade = 1970-1979
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.
James H. Costen Collection
Founding Fathers, circa 1971
Date Created
1968/1973
Description
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.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Harry and Selma Richardson meet with an international couple.
James H. Costen Collection
Harry and Selma Richardson Meet with an Unidentified Couple, circa 1971
Date Created
1968/1974
Description
Harry and Selma Richardson meet with an international couple.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Deotis Roberts speaking.
James H. Costen Collection
Deotis Roberts, circa 1972
Date Created
1970/1975
Description
Deotis Roberts speaking.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Portrait of Harry V. Richardson.
James H. Costen Collection
Harry V. Richardson, circa 1973
Date Created
1970/1976
Description
Portrait of Harry V. Richardson.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Portrait of Martin Luther King Sr.
James H. Costen Collection
Martin Luther King Sr., circa 1973
Date Created
1970/1976
Description
Portrait of Martin Luther King Sr.
Subject
Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Small Churches, 1972
Date Created
1972
Description
Subject
African American Presbyterians, Church buildings, African Americans--Social conditions
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 Oswald Bronson.
James H. Costen Collection
Oswald Bronson, circa 1975
Date Created
1973/1978
Description
Portrait of Oswald Bronson.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Three unidentified women stand in tall grass with their arms outstretched. Two unidentified men stand behind them holding up American flags. Written on verso: Echoes of a Dream, a dramatic bicentennial production of Boggs Academy, Keysville, Georgia, is widely acclaimed program of dance, poetry and song speaking to the question of "should blacks celebrate the bicentennial?" Echoes will be presented on (date), at (place), at (time). It is sponsored by (name of sponsor). The public is invited.
James H. Costen Collection
Boggs Academy's Echoes of a Dream, circa 1976
Date Created
1973/1979
Description
Three unidentified women stand in tall grass with their arms outstretched. Two unidentified men stand behind them holding up American flags. Written on verso: Echoes of a Dream, a dramatic bicentennial production of Boggs Academy, Keysville, Georgia, is widely acclaimed program of dance, poetry and song speaking to the question of "should blacks celebrate the bicentennial?" Echoes will be presented on (date), at (place), at (time). It is sponsored by (name of sponsor). The public is invited.
Subject
African American arts, Theatre and dance
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified children play outside on a swing set.
James H. Costen Collection
Children Play on a Swing Set, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
Unidentified children play outside on a swing set.
Subject
Children, Recreation, African Americans--Education
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Calvin Thorton has picture taken with his wife and son.
James H. Costen Collection
Calvin Thornton with Family, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
Calvin Thorton has picture taken with his wife and son.
Subject
African American families, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
People gather in a gymnasium for a commencement ceremony.
James H. Costen Collection
Commencement, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
People gather in a gymnasium for a commencement ceremony.
Subject
African American universities and colleges, Portraits and people, Commencement ceremonies
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
A group of unidentified young women dance on a basketball court.
James H. Costen Collection
Young Women Dance on a Basketball Court, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
A group of unidentified young women dance on a basketball court.
Subject
African American arts, Theatre and dance
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Calvin Thorton poses for a picture with his family.
James H. Costen Collection
Calvin Thornton with Family, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
Calvin Thorton poses for a picture with his family.
Subject
African American families, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Children playing outside on a jungle gym.
James H. Costen Collection
Children Playing Outside, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
Unidentified Children playing outside on a jungle gym.
Subject
Portraits and people, Children, African Americans--Education
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Trees and a winding dirt road lead up to an unidentified building.
James H. Costen Collection
Landscape, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
Trees and a winding dirt road lead up to an unidentified building.
Subject
Buildings and grounds
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
An unidentified man presides over a commencement ceremony.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Man Gives a Speech, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
An unidentified man presides over a commencement ceremony.
Subject
African American universities and colleges, Portraits and people, Commencement ceremonies
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
A large group of unidentified children sit on steps outside of a building and smile.
James H. Costen Collection
A Group of Children, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
A large group of unidentified children sit on steps outside of a building and smile.
Subject
Portraits and people, Children, African Americans--Education
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified people sit around a flatbed trailer to get drinks while attending a cookout.
James H. Costen Collection
People Attending a Cookout, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
Unidentified people sit around a flatbed trailer to get drinks while attending a cookout.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Recreation
Collection
James H. Costen Collection