This collection contains the photographs from the life and work of Reverend Robert E. Penn, a Baptist minister and educator. Penn was born in a rural coal mining town in West Virginia, and went on to receive degrees from Clark College, Gammon Theological Seminary, and Central Baptist Theological Seminary. He was a chaplain during World War II, and later after his pastoral work in Kansas City, Kansas, and Gary, Indiana, Penn returned to Atlanta to become Director of Field Education at the Interdenominational Theological Center in 1973. These photographs document Rev. Penns family life and friend in West Virginia, Indiana, and Georgia, as well as his work as Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Gary, Indiana, and Director of Field Education at the Interdenominational Theological Seminary.

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 5, 2019

Robert E. Penn Collection

This collection contains the photographs from the life and work of Reverend Robert E. Penn, a Baptist minister and educator. Penn was born in a rural coal mining town in West Virginia, and went on to receive degrees from Clark College, Gammon Theological Seminary, and Central Baptist Theological Seminary. He was a chaplain during World War II, and later after his pastoral work in Kansas City, Kansas, and Gary, Indiana, Penn returned to Atlanta to become Director of Field Education at the Interdenominational Theological Center in 1973. These photographs document Rev. Penns family life and friend in West Virginia, Indiana, and Georgia, as well as his work as Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Gary, Indiana, and Director of Field Education at the Interdenominational Theological Seminary.

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

1960/1965
Left to Right: James P. Brawley, Robert E. Penn, and an unidentified man and woman wear commencement caps & gowns.
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Robert E. Penn Collection
Left to Right: James P. Brawley, Robert E. Penn, and an unidentified man and woman wear commencement caps & gowns.
1960/1965
James K. Jordon (nephew of Robert E. Penn) in military uniform walks down the street in France.
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Robert E. Penn Collection
James K. Jordon (nephew of Robert E. Penn) in military uniform walks down the street in France.
1960
Two men stand outside of a large building. Written on verso: "Clark College new bldg. 1960."
African Americans--Religion, Buildings and grounds
Robert E. Penn Collection
Two men stand outside of a large building. Written on verso: "Clark College new bldg. 1960."
1957/1963
Robert E. Penn and a young woman stand in front of a house.
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Robert E. Penn Collection
Robert E. Penn and a young woman stand in front of a house.
1957/1963
Robert E. Penn and a young woman stand in front of a house. Another unidentified person stands in the doorway.
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Robert E. Penn Collection
Robert E. Penn and a young woman stand in front of a house. Another unidentified person stands in the doorway.
1955/1960
Rober E. Penn and an unidentified woman work in an office at the First Baptist Church of Gary. Written on verso: "Me & my boss"
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Robert E. Penn Collection
Rober E. Penn and an unidentified woman work in an office at the First Baptist Church of Gary. Written on verso: "Me & my boss"
1952/1958
Two unidentified women stand behind a bar counter.
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Robert E. Penn Collection
Two unidentified women stand behind a bar counter.
1948/1953
A portrait of an unidentified man. He is smiling and wearing a suit and tie.
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Robert E. Penn Collection
A portrait of an unidentified man. He is smiling and wearing a suit and tie.
1947/1953
An unidentified group gathered in a room for a portrait.
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Groups and organizations
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified group gathered in a room for a portrait.
1947/1953
An unidentified group of people gather in three rows in front of a stage for a portrait. Council of Religious Education. Written on verso: Council of Rel. Ed.
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Groups and organizations
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified group of people gather in three rows in front of a stage for a portrait. Council of Religious Education. Written on verso: Council of Rel. Ed.
1945/1951
A group of unidentified women gather around a pew. Written on verso: Good Samaritan.
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, African American churches
Robert E. Penn Collection
A group of unidentified women gather around a pew.  Written on verso: Good Samaritan.
1945/1951
An unidentified man is leans on a car on a downtown street.
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified man is leans on a car on a downtown street.
1945/1951
A well-dressed unidentified man stands in front of a house. Next to him is a stone wall. In the house, another unidentified man is entering the house through a door.
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Buildings and grounds
Robert E. Penn Collection
A well-dressed unidentified man stands in front of a house. Next to him is a  stone wall. In the house, another unidentified man is entering the house through a door.
1945/1951
An unidentified woman stands on the sidewalk next to a store.
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified woman stands on the sidewalk next to a store.
1945/1951
An unidentified well dressed group of two men and one woman stand in a living room. The woman is holding up an envelope.
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified well dressed group of two men and one woman stand in a living room. The woman is holding up an envelope.
1944/1952
Three unidentified women sit in a booth drinking and smoking cigarettes.
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Interior decoration
Robert E. Penn Collection
Three unidentified women sit in a booth drinking and smoking cigarettes.
1942/1948
A group of unidentified people sit huddled around a table. Several young women are writing on paper. A woman talks on the phone, and several unidentified people stand over them, looking on. A typewriter sits on the end of the table in front of a man and a woman. Written on verso: Newspaper staff.
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Robert E. Penn Collection
A group of unidentified people sit huddled around a table. Several young women are writing on paper. A woman talks on the phone, and several unidentified people stand over them, looking on. A typewriter sits on the end of the table in front of a man and a woman. Written on verso: Newspaper staff.
1942/1948
Portrait of a young boy wearing a suit and tie. Written on verso: "Harold"
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Children
Robert E. Penn Collection
Portrait of a young boy wearing a suit and tie. Written on verso: "Harold"
1942/1948
An unidentified little girl, possibly named Patricia is sitting in front of a backdrop. Written on verso: "Patricia"
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified little girl, possibly named Patricia is sitting in front of a backdrop. Written on verso: "Patricia"
1942/1948
The front entrance of the First Baptist Church of Gary.
African Americans--Religion, Buildings and grounds, African American churches
Robert E. Penn Collection
The front entrance of the First Baptist Church of Gary.