Abdel Ross Wentz Papers

Collection

Identifier: ULS-MS-099

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection is arranged into 13 series:

History of Gettysburg Seminary

Book Manuscripts

Lutheran World Convention papers and correspondence

Seminary Friends

Maryland Synod History

Notes for Alumni Record, 1964

Notes, Lectures, Exams, etc.

Biographical material

Letters and World Trip Papers

Gettysburg College and LTSG Papers and Diplomas

Memorabilia

Lectures and Writings, Correspondence

Sermons

Scope and Contents

This collections contains the personal and professional papers of A.R. Wentz, including correspondence, manuscripts of published works, travel papers, diaries, sermons, lectures, class notes, and exams, and personal memorabilia and tributes.

Dates

1904 - 1976

Creator

Wentz, Abdel Ross, 1883-1976 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

Abdel Ross Wentz (1883-1976) was a significant leader within American Lutheranism mid-twentieth century as both an interpreter-teacher and as a leader in Lutheran participation in formation of both the Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches. From his base as Professor of Church History (1916-1956) and President (1940-1951) of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, PA, Wentz provided for fifty years the widely used textbook in the field of American Lutheran history. He took leadership from the early Lutheran World Convention in 1923 through the formation of the Lutheran World Federation in 1947 (when he became the first Vice-President) and the World Council of Churches in 1948 (where he was the American Lutheran representative in the formation and business committees). He exercised leadership both through his role as teacher, writer, and popular speaker, and through his participation in meetings and creation of documents that led to the worldwide and ecumenical organizations mentioned above. Sources consulted: "Abdel Ross Wentz," Lutheran Historical Society of the Mid-Atlantic, https://www.lutheranhistoricalsociety.com/abdel-ross-wentz/. Accessed February 24, 2022.