Albert B. Cleage, Jr.: Correspondence, Biographical, Sermons, and Writings [series]
The Albert B. Cleage, Jr.: Correspondence, Biographical, Sermons, and Writings series documents Cleage importance as a clergyman and as a leader locally within Detroit's African American community and nationally as a spokesman for Black pride. The correspondence file spans the years 1954 to 1978 and details Cleage's interactions with both religious and civil rights leaders across the country, as well as within Detroit. This series also includes sermons from the early 1950's through 1983, giving a detailed look at Cleage's views and thoughts. Finally, there are manuscripts of Cleage's two books Black Messiah and Black Christian Nationalism, along with a third, unpublished work, Nothing Is More Sacred Than the Liberation of the Black People.
Correspondence
Box 1
1954-1959
Box 1
1960-1962
Box 1
1963
Box 1
1964-1965
Box 1
1966
Box 1
1967
Box 1
1968
(2 folders)
Box 1
1969
(3 folders)
Box 1
1970
Box 1
1971
Box 1
1972-1977
Box 1
1978
Box 1
Undated
Biographical, political, early career
Box 1
Biographical Data 1969
Box 1
Memorials, obituaries, tributes to Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman February 2000
Box 1
Articles about Cleage and his church 1950-2004
Box 1
Detroit Board of Education candidacy 1966
Box 1
Detroit City Council candidacy 1965
Box 1
Congressional candidacy 1966
Box 1
Cartoon with image of Cleague confronting a Detroit businessman/politician undated
Box 1
St John's Congregational Church, Springfield, Massachusetts 1949-1950
Sermons (mimeographed)
1970
Box 1
Harlem Message August 11, 1970
1977
Box 1
Two Worlds August 4, 1977
Box 1
Two Worlds August 11, 1977
Box 1
A New Heaven and a New Earth December 11, 1977
Box 1
End of an Era: We Are the Messianic Hope of the Twentieth Century December 25, 1977
1978
Box 1
A New Era: January 8, 1978
Box 1
New Church for a New Era January 15, 1978
Box 1
Acting for God January 22, 1978
Box 1
The Community of Jesus...Today's Messianic Hope January 29, 1978
Box 1
Fruits of the Spirit February 5, 1978
Box 1
Sign of Jonah in This Day February 12, 1978
Box 1
Fragmentary April 2, 1978
Box 1
Discipline: Second in Series May 14, 1978
Box 1
Discipline: Third in Series May 21, 1978
Box 1
Prelude to a New Era: Between God and the Devil June 23, 1978
Box 1
Prelude to a New Era: The New Fantasy June 25, 1978
Box 1
Prelude to a New Era: No Options: Third in Series July 2, 1978
Box 1
Prelude to a New Era: Discipline: Fourth in Series July 9, 1978
Box 1
Prelude to a New Era: KUA: Fifth in Series July 16, 1978
Box 1
Climbing Jacob's Ladder August 13, 1978
Box 1
Theology of the Group Experience September 24, 1978
Box 1
The Revolutionary Mysticism of Jesus October 1, 1978
Box 1
Anniversary Month October 22, 1978
Box 1
The Church as a Transforming Community: Conversion #2 November 5, 1978
Box 1
The Church as a Transforming Community: Response to the Holy Spirit November 12, 1978
Box 1
Christianity and the Consciousness Revolution November 19, 1978
1979
Box 2
The Black Dilemma: Drifting March 11, 1979
Box 2
The Black Dilemma: You Can't Lie to God March 18, 1979
Box 2
The Black Dilemma: KUA March 25, 1979
Box 2
The Black Dilemma: A New Perspective for the Black Struggle April 1, 1979
Box 2
The Black Dilemma: The Triumphal Entry April 8, 1979
Box 2
The Black Dilemma: And They Believed Them Not April 15, 1979
Box 2
The Fall of Man June 3, 1979
Box 2
Orientation Lecture June 4, 1979
Box 2
Beyond Rational Consciousness: You Need to Study KUA June 10, 1979
Box 2
Orientation Lecture June 11, 1979
Box 2
Beyond Rational Consciousness: Spiritual Encounters-You Need to Study KUA June 17, 1979
Box 2
Beyond Rational Consciousness: The Group Experience June 24, 1979
1981-1990
Box 2
Surviving the 80's Through Christian Service: The Unity of Believers November 19, 1981
Box 2
Transcendence & Transformation Through the Experience of God: Is There No Balm In Gilead? April 22, 1982
Box 2
The Abundant Life: The Art of Living May 25, 1982
Box 2
God Is Power November 13, 1983
Box 2
Transforming Community: Struggle for Change #2 March 1, 1984
Box 2
Transforming Community: Genesis II -- The Recreation of Man May 6, 1984
Box 2
An Introduction to BCN Theology: Personal Change: The Key To Black Liberation August 5, 1984
Box 2
An Introduction to BCN Theology: 2nd in a Series August 12, 1984
Box 2
An Introduction to BCN Theology: The Black Man's Inner Conflicts, 3rd in A Series August 19, 1984
Box 2
The Black Nation Israel, Pt. 1 December 2, 1990
Box 2
Advent Sermon Series: The Messianic Expectations December 9, 1990
Box 2
Advent Sermon Series: The Ministry of Jesus December 16, 1990
Box 2
Advent Sermon Series: The Celebration of Christmas December 23, 1990
Box 2
Miscellaneous 1995-1997
Sermons -- drafts and notes
Drafts
Box 2
1951-1953
Box 2
1960s
Box 2
Undated
Box 2
Notes 1970-1983
Rough drafts
Box 2
1967
Box 2
1968
Box 2
1960s
(2 folders)
Box 2
circa 1970
Box 2
1979
Box 2
Undated
Writings
Box 2
Black Christian Nationalism (manuscript)
(2 folders)
Box 2
Black Messiah (manuscript)
(2 folders)
Box 3
Nothing is More Sacred than the Liberation of the Black People (manuscript)
Box 3
Poetry: Holy Crusade Words of Inspiration: Poems of Jaramogi 1984
Shrine of the Black Madonna -- Detroit [series]
Much of the Shrine of the Black Madonna Detroit series is comprised of an alphabetical topical file drawn together from different portions of Cleage's files and other miscellaneous church files. The series dates from the early 1950's to 2005. The bulk of the material dates from late 1960's to the mid 1970's and documents the transformation of St. Mark's to the Church of the Black Madonna and the development of the Black Christian Nationalist (BCN) denomination. The BCN files includes administrative information and documentation of the denomination's spiritual underpinnings, as presented in bible study sheets and African history lessons.
From this series, Albert Cleage is shown to be deeply involved in both civil rights and the problems facing the city of Detroit. He served on numerous committees and commissions, ran for public office several times, and was deeply interested and involved with the Detroit Public School System, the United Church of Christ's Commission for Racial Justice, and the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization.
Other important files contain Sunday bulletins from church services. These are from all time periods (with the majority being either from the 1970's or the first decade of the new millennium). There is also membership information (often including addresses and family information) from the 1950's to the 1970's.
Bulletins of church services 1953-2007 (many gaps)
Box 3
1953-1969
Box 3
1970-1973
Box 3
1974-April 1976
Box 3
May 1976-May 1978
1982
Box 3
January 1982
Box 3
February 1982
Box 3
March 1982
Box 3
April 1982
Box 3
May 1982
Box 3
June 1982
Box 3
July 1982
Box 3
August 1982
Box 3
September 1982
Box 3
October 1982
Box 3
November 1982
Box 3
December 1982
Box 3
1980s
Box 3
1990s
Box 3
2000-2007
Box 3
Miscellaneous
Central Congregational Church Administrative
Box 4
Articles of Association 1955
Box 4
Calendars 1960, 1961, 1964
Executive Committee
Box 4
1954-1955
Box 4
1957-1961
Box 4
1967-1971
Financial
Box 4
1957-1962
Box 4
1963-1970
Box 4
Trustees James C. Trimble and John W. Estes, Jr. (complaint against Cleage to the Congregational Association of Detroit) 1964
Box 4
Monthly Narrative Reports 1958-1960
Box 4
Stewardship Reports
Box 4
Miscellaneous
Topical file
Box 4
Accord, Inc. (Common Housing Corporation) 1968
Box 4
Action Council 1968-1969
Action Groups 1971
Box 4
Action Group #5
Box 4
Action Group #6
Box 4
Activity Regulations 1970-1972
Box 4
Alkebu-lan Academy and Nursery
Annual Meeting
Box 4
1972
Box 4
1973
Annual Report
Box 4
1953
Box 4
1959
Box 4
1960
Box 4
1964
Box 4
1966
Box 4
1967
Box 4
1968
Box 4
1969
Box 4
1970
Box 4
1971
Box 4
1972
Box 4
Articles of Association: Pan African Orthodox Christian Church 1978
Box 4
Ashanti Co-op/Black Star Co-op Supermarket 1968-1969
Box 4
Benevolent and Protective Order of the Black Madonna
Black Christian Nationalism
Bible Study
Box 4
1976
Box 4
1997-2000
Box 4
Church Policy
Box 4
College Cadre 1973
Box 4
First Annual Convention 1970
Box 4
Second Annual Convention 1971
Box 4
BCN Report to the Nation 1973
Box 4
Third Biennial Convention 1975
Box 4
History
Box 4
Information Packet 1992
Box 5
Jubilee 2003
Box 5
Office and Cultural Center Management 1972
Box 5
Official Documents
Box 5
Players 1972
Box 5
Poems, Songs, and Cheers
Box 5
Relationship with Christian Churches 1967
Rituals
Box 5
Communalism Rituals 1982
Box 5
Rite of Passage
Box 5
Shrine Newsletter 1970
Box 5
Student Movement 1970-1972
Box 5
Training Center and Residence Hall 1970-1975
Box 5
Black Ecumenical Council 1967, 1970
Box 5
Black Messiah Reviews 1969
Box 5
Black Manifesto -- Responses
Box 5
Black Nation News 1969-1977
Box 5
Black Slate
Box 5
Black Teachers Workshop
Box 5
Building Fund and Relocation Committee 1955
Box 5
Camp Talahi 1959
Box 5
Catholic Clergy Conference on the Interracial Apostolate 1968
Box 5
Center City Association
Box 5
Chanza
Box 5
Citywide Citizen's Action Committee 1967-1968
Box 5
Commission for Racial Justice (United Church of Christ) 1969-1971
Box 5
Committees 1970s
Box 5
Congregational Association of Detroit 1956
Box 5
Cooperative Services, Inc.
Box 5
"Crockett Incident," 1969
Box 5
Cultural Centers
Box 5
Detroit Public Library 1967
Box 5
Economic Development Corporation 1967-1969
Box 5
Education 1968
Box 5
Federation for Self Determination 1967-1968
Flyers announcing church services
Box 5
1954-1960, undated
Box 5
1957-1961
Box 5
1968-1971
Box 5
1972-1974
Box 5
1975
Box 5
1976
Box 5
1977
1978
Box 5
Flyers
Box 5
Drafts
Box 5
January-October 1979
(10 folders)
Box 5
Miscellaneous 1970s
Box 5
April-December 1980
(9 folders)
Box 6
1981
(12 folders)
Box 6
1982
(12 folders)
Box 6
1983
(4 folders)
Box 6
1984
(4 folders)
Box 6
1985-2006
Box 6
Undated
(3 folders)
Box 6
Freedom Now Party 1964
Box 6
Funeral Obsequies
Box 6
History, Draft 1968
Box 6
Illustrated News 1964
Box 6
ICOC
Box 6
Inner City Mutual Insurance Company 1969
Box 6
Inner City Organizing Committee 1967-1968
Box 6
Inner City Parent's Council 1968
Box 6
Inner City Shopping Centers
Box 6
Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization (IFCO) 1969, 1970
Box 6
KUA Small Group Devotionals 1992
Box 6
Layout Booklet 1972
Box 6
Locke -- The Detroit Riots of 1967
Box 6
Maccabee Training Materials undated
Box 6
Marriage Rituals 1970-1974
Box 6
Mass Media Study Committee 1969
Box 6
Ministers for Racial and Social Justice 1969
Box 6
Miscellaneous
(5 folders)
Box 6
Miss Black America Beauty Pageant 1970
Box 6
MTG
Box 6
Operation Connection 1968
Box 6
Order of Nzinga
Box 6
Preliminary Self Study #2 1961
Box 6
Programs and Special Events
Box 6
St Mark's Presbyterian/Independent/Congregational Church 1952-1954
Box 6
Shrine #9 Internal Documents
Box 7
Shrine #10, 25th Anniversary
Box 7
Sudan Club 1977
Box 7
Synod 2000
Box 7
Training Group # 11 1972
Box 7
Westminster 1954
Box 7
Webster, John, Forum Committee 1969
Box 7
White Critiques 1968
Youth
Youth Fellowship
Box 7
1954-1955
Box 7
1956
Box 7
1961
Box 7
Notes and Names
Box 7
Youth Miscellaneous
Membership Information/Guest Books
Box 7
Saint Mark's Community Church Membership Information Flyers 1951-1953
(Includes family information)
Box 7
Every Member Canvass 1955
Box 7
Every Member Canvass 1956-1957
Box 7
Members and Guests of Central Church 1957-1959
Box 7
Members, Miscellaneous 1951-1961
Box 7
Members, Miscellaneous undated
Box 7
Canvass 1963
Box 7
Membership list pre-1972
Box 7
Membership list June 1972
Box 7
Members by Geographic Location 1972
Box 7
Book of Prospective Members 1967-1969
Box 7
Names -- From Files of Kokayi Enharo undated
Box 7
Pledge Cards Special Building Fund 1967
Box 7
Application for Membership 1972-1973
(not microfilmed)
Box 7
Application for Membership 1952-1953
(not microfilmed)
Guest books
Box 8
September 1957-January 1959
Box 8
March 1959-October 1967
Box 8
June 1969, April 1970, May-November 1972, January 1973
Box 8
May-October 1973
Box 8
October 1973-May 1974
Box 8
May 1974-January 1975
Church Leaders [series]
The Church Leaders series consists of files maintained by individuals, within the church who assisted Cleage in his ministry. These include Cardinal Aminifu (Woodrow Smith), Kokayi Enharo (Carl Ware), and Colonel Kwesi.
Cardinal Aminifu (Woodrow Smith) files
(Cardinal Aminifu was director of the Health and Social Services Bureau, Pan-African Orthodox Christian Church)
Box 8
Bulletins and Bible Study -- Shrine #9
Box 8
Bible Study 1978
Box 8
Roots of African History 1994
Box 8
Sermons, Shrine #9 1989-1995
Box 8
"The African Orthodox Church and Garveyism," 1971
Kokayi Enharo (Carl Ware) files
(Head of Maccabees)
Box 8
BCN Songs
Box 8
COR
Box 8
Correspondence 1986-2003
Box 8
Clippings
Box 8
Doctrine and Positions
Box 8
Flyers and Miscellaneous
Box 8
Maccabees
Box 8
Obsequies and Obituaries
Box 8
Security, areas of responsibility
Box 8
Weekly Squad Accountability Reports
Box 8
Y2K
Box 8
Youth
Colonel Kwesi files
Box 8
1964
Box 8
1966
Box 8
1969
Shrines of the Black Madonna – National Office (Detroit) [series]
The Shrine of the Black Madonna National Office series consists of two separately maintained topical files, covering the period of 1968 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979. These files provide a glimpse into how the Shrines worked on a day-to-day basis, and how the Council of Cardinals exerted its influence over the direction of the movement on both a national and regional level, as well as on the personal lives of BCN members. This series also includes publications of the Shrines organization relating to the Black Christian Nationalist movement. In addition to programs from their annual conventions, this set of files includes policies and procedures, basic doctrinal statements, information for new members, a Bible study workbook, and history background of the church.
Black Action Movement (University of Michigan) 1970
Box 9
Black Action Training, Irv Joiner 1970
Box 9
Black Affairs Council 1969
Box 9
Black Christian Nationalist Convention 1970
Box 9
Black Christian Nationalist Convention (Second) 1971
Box 10
Black Christian Nationalist Convention Correspondence 1970
Box 10
Black Christian Nationalist Marriage Service
Box 10
Black Christian Nationalist Student Movement (High School Level) 1970-1972
Box 10
Black Heritage Tea 1970-1971
Box 10
Black Media List
Box 10
Black Messiah 1968
Box 10
Black Nationalism
Box 10
Black Star Market 1968
Box 10
Black Studies -- Graduate Studies 1971
Box 10
Black Teacher's Caucus 1970
Box 10
Board of National Missions 1969
Box 10
Board of Education 1968-1973
Box 10
Book Reviews
Box 10
Book -- Quest for a Black Theology 1970-1971
Box 10
Campaign Literature 1970
Box 10
Charge to New Members and Libation
Box 10
Chicago Theological Seminary 1969
Box 10
Choir 1970
Box 10
Christian Century -- Dean Peerman 1971
Box 10
Colgate Divinity School -- Rochester, New York 1968-1970
Box 10
Columbia Radio and Television 1968-1969
Box 10
Commission for Racial Justice -- Cobb 1968-1971
Box 10
Commission on Religion and Race -- United Methodist Church 1969-1970
Box 10
Commitment Campaign 1970
Box 10
Communications 1971
Box 10
Congress of African People 1971
Box 10
Co-op Buying 1971
Box 10
Core 1971-1972
Box 10
Cornell University 1969
Box 10
Contracts on Books 1970
Box 10
Detroit Free Press -- Hiley Ward 1969
Box 10
Detroit Industrial Mission 1968
Box 10
Detroit Metropolitan Association of the United Church of Christ 1968-1969
Box 10
Detroit Metropolitan Association 1970-1973
Box 10
Draft Information -- Selective Service, etc. 1969-1975
Box 10
Duke University 1970-1973
Box 10
Economic Development Corporation 1969-1970
Box 10
Elmhurst College 1968
Box 10
Federation 1967
Box 10
Fisk University 1969
Box 10
Fites Bottom Improvement Campaign 1968
Box 10
Garrett Theological Seminary -- Rev. Hycel Taylor 1971
Box 10
Graymoor Ecumenical Institute 1969
Box 10
Heidelberg College 1968-1969
Box 10
Heritage Committee
Box 10
Inner City Organizing Committee 1968
Box 10
IFCO 1968-1970
Box 10
In-Service Ministerial Training Program 1970
Box 10
Joint Strategy and Action Committee 1970
Box 10
Legal Aid 1967-1968
Box 10
Letters from Inmates 1967-1972
Box 10
Macomb County Community College 1970
Box 10
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library and Center 1968-1970
Box 10
Men's Club 1969-1971
Box 10
Methodist Grants -- Bishop Loder 1969
Box 10
Michigan Conference -- Duane Vore 1974
Box 10
Michigan Conference of the United Church of Christ 1969-1971
Box 10
Michigan State University 1968
Mini Shopping Centers 1969-1970
Box 10
General
Box 10
National Board
Box 10
Areas
Box 10
Ministers for Racial and Social Justice (Rev. Edmonds) 1969-1971
Box 10
Minutes of Meetings 1969
Box 10
Miscellaneous Handouts and Literature 1969
Box 10
Miss Black America Beauty Pageant 1970
Box 10
Morris, Ronald -- Norfolk State College 1971
Morrow and Company, Inc. Publishers 1971-1972
Box 10
Dan Johnson
Box 10
Book Reviews
Box 10
National Association of Black Students 1970
Box 10
National Conference of Friends 1968-1969
Box 10
National Committee of Black Churchmen 1968-1971
Box 10
National Council of the Churches of Christ -- Delta Ministry 1970-1971
Box 10
National Staff Requests 1972
Box 10
National Training Center
Box 10
NCC (Charles Spivey) Department of Social Justice 1969-1970
Box 10
News Media 1968
Box 10
Newsome, Dr. Moses 1970
Box 10
Norfolk Committee for the Improvement of Education, Inc. 1970
Box 10
North Carolina Central University 1970-1971
Box 10
Oakland Community College 1969
Box 10
Oberlin College 1969-1972
Box 10
Ohio State University 1969-1971
Box 10
Ohio Wesleyan University 1970
Box 10
Order of Chaka 1968
Box 10
PAC (Pan-African Congress, USA) 1970-1972
Box 10
Panther's Den Youth Organization 1969-1970
Box 10
Parsons, Donald 1971
Box 10
Permission for Publication 1970
Box 10
Plymouth Congregational Church (Kalamazoo-Grand Rapids) 1970
Box 10
Political 1968
Box 10
Princeton Theological Seminary 1969
Box 10
Procedures, policies, etc.
Box 10
Rand McNally and Company 1969
Box 10
Random House 1970
Box 10
Republic of New Africa 1970-1972
Box 10
Reviews 1972
Box 10
Ripon College 1969-1970
Box 10
Second Book Correspondence 1970
Box 10
Saint John's Congregational Church, Massachusetts 1969
Box 10
Saint John's United Church of Christ 1969
Box 10
Sanford, Warner 1970
Box 10
Sarah Lawrence College 1970
Box 10
School of Black Studies 1970
Box 10
Security and Safety for Nation Proposal 1968
Box 10
Seminary Students 1969
Box 10
Sheed and Ward, Inc. 1968-1971
Box 11
Southern Regional Newsletter
(2 folders)
Financial Drives 1979
Box 11
New Regional Drive
Box 11
Last Chance Drive
Box 11
Born Again Drive
Box 11
First Step Drive
Box 11
Anniversary Drive
Box 11
Holy Crusade Drive
Box 11
BCN Interdepartmental Communications 1980-1983
Box 11
BCN Official Publications
2nd Annual "Spring Forum Series" 1970
Box 11
Basics of BCN 1972
(include policies, Creed, regulations)
Box 11
Basics of BCN for Membership 1993
Box 11
BCN Catalogue 1973-1974
Box 11
Bible Study Student Workbook no. 4, The Pre-Christian Era 1995
Box 11
Books of prayers & 1989-1991, undated
Box 11
Central Congregational Church publications
Box 11
Church History Presentation 1993
Box 11
Closer: Weekly Accountability Report September November 1997
Convention Program (Biennial)
Box 11
1972
Box 11
1975
Box 11
Honoring Rev. Albert B. Cleage, Jr. 1963
Box 11
KUA Group Devotionals
National Pan African Synod programs
Box 11
1993
Box 11
1996
Box 11
2000
Box 11
Shrine #10 (Houston), 10th Anniversary 1987
Box 11
Shrine #10 (Houston), 15th Anniversary 1992
Shrine of the Black Madonna
Box 11
30th Anniversary calendar 1983
Box 11
40th Anniversary Program 1993
Box 11
50th Anniversary Jubilee 2003
Shrine of the Black Madonna Cultural Center & Book Store review
Box 11
December 1992
Box 11
August 1995
Box 11
Signs and Symbols guides 1994, 2002
Box 11
Spiritual Retreat Handbooks 1994, 1995
Sound recordings [series]
The Sound Recordings series consists of two music phonograph records (45 rpm) and ten compact discs. The CDs are of Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman (Albert Cleage Jr.) teaching and preaching. Of note are two separate tributes given following the assassinations of Malcolm X (1967) and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1968).
Messages by Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman
(10 optical discs (CDs))
Box 11
What Carol Shall We Sing? December 25, 1966
Box 11
Tribute to Malcolm X February 26, 1967
Box 11
Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. April 7, 1968
Box 11
Individualism September 18, 1976
Box 11
An Introduction to BCN Theology (Operant Conditioning) August 5, 1984
Box 11
The Messianic Community February 16, 1986
Box 11
The Anointment of Jesus December 6, 1987
Box 11
The New Black Reality, 1st in series June 16, 1991
Box 11
The Global Reality, 2nd in series June 23, 1991
Box 11
The Role of the Black Mother in the Black Nation 1980s undated
Phonograph records
Box 11
Performance of Bro. John Ware: Side 1, Jesus When Trouble Burdens; Side 2, Without God
(45 rpm)
Box 11
Sound of Soul Combo: Side 1, A Camel's Walk, Part I; Side 2, A Camel's Walk, Part II
Photographs [series]
The Photographs series includes portraits, photos of Cleage preaching, church events and related activities. Many of the photos are undated and unidentified.
Box 11
Portraits, church events, buildings, etc.
Box 11
Classrooms, portraits, church events, etc.
Box 12
Cleage in pulpit preaching, miscellaneous
(This folder was not microfilmed)
Miscellaneous [series]
The Miscellaneous series includes clippings and copies of newspapers and other publications with references to Cleage and his ministry. This material has not been microfilmed
