Clarence L. Jordan papers

Descriptive Summary
Title: Clarence L. Jordan papers
Creator: Jordan, Florence Kroeger, -1987
Inclusive Dates: 1962-1984
Language(s): English
Extent: 2.2 Linear Feet 5 document boxes, 1 half box
Collection Number: ms2341
Repository: Hargrett Library

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Collection Description

Historical Note

Clarence L. Jordan (1912-1969) was born in Talbotton, Georgia. He was raised in the Baptist Church and at an early age was interested in becoming a Baptist minister. Jordan earned his B.S. degree at the University of Georgia, and his Th.M. and Ph.D. from the Southern Baptist Seminary. After graduating, he became superintendent of City Missions for the Long Run Baptist Association. Jordan married Florence Kroeger in 1936 and had four children. He founded Kiononia Farms, a religious and interracial community near Americus, Georgia in 1942. Jordan was the author of The Sermon on The Mount, The Cotton Patch Version of Paul's Epistles, and The Cotton Patch Version of Luke and Acts.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of correspondence written to Florence concerning Jordans's death and other topics. In addition to sympathy correspondence there are letters concerning legal matters and a telegram from Coretta Scott King. There are also numerous items dealing with Koinonia community, including the Safeway Scandal, insurance claims and racial violence. The collection also includes the original Koinonia commitment and the Coroner's Report on Clarence Jordan's death. The collection also contains correspondence related to Russell Treyz and Harry Chapin's musical adaptation of Jordan's Cotton Patch Gospels.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Clarence Jordan papers. ms2341, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Georgia Libraries.

Finding Aid Publication

Finding aid prepared on: 2009 September 11.

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Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Related Collections in this Repository

Related materials in this repository include Clarence Jordan papers, ms2340, and Clarence Jordan papers, ms756.

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Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

1. Correspondence, 1962-1984
box	folder
Request box
1	1	General, 1962-1964
1	2-10	Regarding Clarence Jordan's Death, 1969-1970
1	11	Regarding Clarence Jordan's Death, undated
1	12	Cards, Regarding Clarence Jordan's Death, 1969-1970
box	folder
Request box
2	1-2	Cards, Regarding Clarence Jordan's Death, 1969
2	3-4	Cards, Regarding Clarence Jordan's Death, undated
2	5	Telegrams, Regarding Clarence Jordan's Death
2	6-14	January 1970-December 1981, 1970-1981
box	folder
Request box
3	1-2	January 1982-November 1984, 1982-1984
3	3	Undated correspondence

 

2. Miscellaneous
box	folder
Request box
3	4	Coroner's Report - Clarence Jordan's Death, 1969
3	5-7	Misc. Items - Clarence Jordan
3	8	Correspondence to Henlee Barnette - regarding Clarence Jordan
3	9	Kingdom Building, containing essays by Clarence Jordan and Millard Fuller
3	10	Miscellaneous - Cotton Patch Gospel
3	11-15	Comments and Reviews on The Cotton Patch Versions
3	16	Photographs - Cotton Patch Gospel
box	folder
Request box
4	1-3	Box Office Statements - Cotton Patch Gospel, 1981-1982
4	4	Prince of Peace Cantata by Karen Miller
4	5	Miscellaneous Items - Florence Jordan
4	16	Minutes of Meetings-Koinonia
4	6	Newspaper Clippings - Cotton Patch Gospel, Clarence Jordan and Koinonia
4	7	Koinonia Newsletters, 1942-1972
4	8	Koinonia Newsletters, 1972-1980
4	9	Miscellaneous Articles - Koinonia
4	10	Information on Camp Koinonia
4	11	Koinonia Commitment with Signatures
4	12	Receipts - Griffin Lumber Co.
4	13	Insurance - Koinonia
4	14	Legal
4	15	Legal
box	folder
Request box
5	1	Press Statements
5	2	Safeway Scandal
5	3	Correspondence and Receipts - Spivey Building
5	4	Kiononia Update
5	5	Lightfoot Films - Koinonia, 1980
5	6	Miscellaneous Items - John Beecher
5	7-8	Printed Material - Integration
5	9-10	Miscellaneous Printed Material
5	11	Sumter High School Annual, 1970
5	12	Printed Articles by Bo Turner
5	13	Writings by Others
box
Request box
6		Correspondence, receipts