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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The 176th General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church stand in front of the Washita Presbytery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
James H. Costen Collection
176th General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church, May 1964
Date Created
1964-05
Description
The 176th General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church stand in front of the Washita Presbytery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Subject
Portraits and people, Groups and organizations, African American Presbyterians
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.
James H. Costen Collection
"A Home of Our Own", November 1966
Date Created
1966-11
Description
A guide for African American home owners explaining searching, buying, and closing on a house with a list of resources.
Subject
African Americans--Housing, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
A group attends a grand reunion. Written on verso: Angelin, Mr. & Mrs. Littleton Price, Spencer Gibbs, Karen Callier, Cleo & Portia Lacy. Grand reunion 1994 - ITC.
James H. Costen Collection
Angelin Simmons, Mr. & Mrs. Littleton Price, Spencer Gibbs, Karen Callier, Cleo & Portia Lacy., 1994
Date Created
1994
Description
A group attends a grand reunion. Written on verso: Angelin, Mr. & Mrs. Littleton Price, Spencer Gibbs, Karen Callier, Cleo & Portia Lacy. Grand reunion 1994 - ITC.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
People attending the graduation ceremony of the I.T.C. class of 1978. Written on recto: Scenes of the graduation.
James H. Costen Collection
Attendees of 1978 Graduation Ceremony, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
People attending the graduation ceremony of the I.T.C. class of 1978. Written on recto: Scenes of the graduation.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Professors, graduates, and the general public attend the I.T.C. graduation ceremony.
James H. Costen Collection
Attendees of the I.T.C. Graduation Ceremony, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Professors, graduates, and the general public attend the I.T.C. graduation ceremony.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An award is presented to an unidentified man by Howard Robinson at the 1979 senior breakfast.
James H. Costen Collection
Award Presented by Howard Robinson, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An award is presented to an unidentified man by Howard Robinson at the 1979 senior breakfast.
Subject
Portraits and people, African Americans--Religion, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified people sit along a long table to eat. Written on verso: 1988 internal campaign.
James H. Costen Collection
Banquet at an Internal Campaign, 1988
Date Created
1988
Description
Unidentified people sit along a long table to eat. Written on verso: 1988 internal campaign.
Subject
Portraits and people, Theological seminaries, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
A crowd stands and looks on as two men jump in the air for the basketball.
James H. Costen Collection
A Basketball Game, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
A crowd stands and looks on as two men jump in the air for the basketball.
Subject
African American athletes, Campus life, Recreation
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The Westside entrance to the Bennet Hall building. Written on recto: West elevation of Bennet Hall.
James H. Costen Collection
Bennet Hall, circa 1995
Date Created
1992/1998
Description
The Westside entrance to the Bennet Hall building. Written on recto: West elevation of Bennet Hall.
Subject
Buildings and grounds, Theological seminaries
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Bennie Mitchell & Angelin Simmons stand shoulder to shoulder at an ITC Grand Reunion. Written on verso: ITC Grand Reunion 1994. Bennie Mitchell, Angelin Simmons.
James H. Costen Collection
Bennie Mitchell & Angelin Simmons at an ITC Grand Reunion, 1994
Date Created
1994
Description
Bennie Mitchell & Angelin Simmons stand shoulder to shoulder at an ITC Grand Reunion. Written on verso: ITC Grand Reunion 1994. Bennie Mitchell, Angelin Simmons.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Black Presbyterians by Dr. Gayraund S. Wilmore Jr., January 18, 1975
Date Created
1975-01-28
Description
Subject
African American Presbyterians, Interviews, Church history, African Americans--Education, Oral history
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Written on verso: Board of Trustees, Stillman College-Tuscaloosa, Alabama 1988. Left to right - First row: George H. Weldon, New York; Sarah L. (Sue) Thompson, Tuscaloosa; Houston H. Harte, San Antonio; Chairperson Cordell Wynn, Tuscaloosa, President. Left to right - Second Row: Alex A. Chambers, Tenn.; Ollie Page, Miami; James H. Costen, Atlanta; Richard A. Thigpen, Tuscaloosa; Mrs. Joseph (Gene) Shannon, Bradenton; Moses C. Jones, Tuscaloosa. Left to right - Third row: E. Granger WIlliams, Little Rock; Wardell Craft, Detroit; Helen Hubbard; Ervin Elligan, Miami; Eugene H. Webb, New York; Samuel Ethredge. Left to right - Fourth row: Eugene L. McCabe, New York; Heywood Strickland, Atlanta; Edward L. Parrish, Birmingham; Carl W. Albright, Tuscaloosa; M.J. Williams, Washington, D.C.
James H. Costen Collection
Board of Trustees at Stillman College, 1988
Date Created
1988
Description
Written on verso: Board of Trustees, Stillman College-Tuscaloosa, Alabama 1988. Left to right - First row: George H. Weldon, New York; Sarah L. (Sue) Thompson, Tuscaloosa; Houston H. Harte, San Antonio; Chairperson Cordell Wynn, Tuscaloosa, President. Left to right - Second Row: Alex A. Chambers, Tenn.; Ollie Page, Miami; James H. Costen, Atlanta; Richard A. Thigpen, Tuscaloosa; Mrs. Joseph (Gene) Shannon, Bradenton; Moses C. Jones, Tuscaloosa. Left to right - Third row: E. Granger WIlliams, Little Rock; Wardell Craft, Detroit; Helen Hubbard; Ervin Elligan, Miami; Eugene H. Webb, New York; Samuel Ethredge. Left to right - Fourth row: Eugene L. McCabe, New York; Heywood Strickland, Atlanta; Edward L. Parrish, Birmingham; Carl W. Albright, Tuscaloosa; M.J. Williams, Washington, D.C.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people, Groups and organizations, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Bobby Bean eating at a banquet during an internal campaign. Written on verso: 1988 Internal campaign Kim Yarber, Bobby Bean.
James H. Costen Collection
Bobby Bean, 1988
Date Created
1988
Description
Bobby Bean eating at a banquet during an internal campaign. Written on verso: 1988 Internal campaign Kim Yarber, Bobby Bean.
Subject
Portraits and people, Theological seminaries, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Three unidentified women stand in front of a brick building and bushes. Their arms stretched out in dance poses. Two unidentified men stand behind them holding up American flags. 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, 1976
Date Created
1976
Description
Three unidentified women stand in front of a brick building and bushes. Their arms stretched out in dance poses. Two unidentified men stand behind them holding up American flags. 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
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
The brush area west of the parking lot.
James H. Costen Collection
Brush Area, circa 1995
Date Created
1992/1998
Description
The brush area west of the parking lot.
Subject
Buildings and grounds, Theological seminaries
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
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
Calvin Thorton poses for a picture with his wife and son.
James H. Costen Collection
Calvin Thornton with Family, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
Calvin Thorton poses for a picture with his wife and son.
Subject
African American families, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified children sit wearing hats. Written on recto: Above: Children at play. Bottom picture with children dressed for May Day performance.
James H. Costen Collection
Children at Play, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
Unidentified children sit wearing hats. Written on recto: Above: Children at play. Bottom picture with children dressed for May Day performance.
Subject
Children, Recreation, African Americans--Education
Collection
James H. Costen Collection