Douglas Cedarleaf Papers

Collection

Identifier: 6/1/2/1/48

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Sermons, preaching notes, subject files, photographs, and other materials related to pastor Douglas Cedarleaf.

Dates

1940 - 1980

Creator

Cedarleaf, Douglas Glenn, 1914-2000 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright that may be involved in the use of this collection.

Biographical / Historical

Douglas Glenn Cedarleaf was born in Chicago, IL May 27, 1914 and grew up in Rockford, IL, attending the Bethesda Covenant church, where Harold Carlson was his pastor and mentor. In 1937 he went to North Park Junior College and then to North Park Seminary. He served his internship at the East End Chapel in Moline, IL. In 1940 he married Carolyn Ekstam in Moline and they moved to Chicago, where Doug continued his seminary studies. At a seminary chapel in 1944 he heard Florence Towne speak about her work at Erie Neighborhood House on Chicago’s west side. Doug and Carolyn felt called to join them. It was during their time there that an African American serviceman and his family moved to the neighborhood. They were not well received and when they had a Molotov cocktail bomb thrown through their window, Doug felt compelled to do something about it. The next Sunday, he preached a sermon on brotherly love and led his congregation on a march down the street to the home of this family to stand with them and welcome them. This event was covered in TIME magazine and Doug received mail from all over the world in response.

In 1948 Doug and Carolyn and their daughter moved to Spokane, WA where he served the First Covenant Church until 1955 when he and Carolyn and their four daughters moved to Chicago, IL to serve the North Park Covenant Church. In 1970 Doug and Carolyn and two of their daughters moved to Rochester, MN where he served the Rochester Covenant Church until 1977 when he went to Stambaugh Covenant Church in Stambaugh, MI. From 1980 to 1982 Doug was chaplain at The Holmstad Covenant Village in Batavia, IL. From 1982 until 1987 he and Carolyn spent their winters in Florida, where Doug did interim preaching and some chaplaincy work at The Plantation Covenant Village in Florida. In the summers, they were at their beloved family cottage in Upper Michigan.

In 1987 Carolyn and Doug moved into Covenant Village of Golden Valley, where they lived until Doug passed away November 27, 2000 and Carolyn passed away August 26, 2016.

Extent

10.6 Linear Feet (22 containers)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

Collection arranged into four series. Series 1 - Sermons and Notes. This series consists of sermon manuscripts and notes. Some are indexed and arranged by topic and others were not; original order and organization was preserved. Many have the date and location of the sermon as well as editorial marks and revisions. Series 2 - Preaching Notes. This material appears to be contains notes and material clipped from other sources that was indexed and arranged to aid in preaching. Some material is loose and others is bound in notebooks. Series 3 - Subject Files. This material is arranged by topic; original folders and order was preserved as much as possible. Also included are some personal correspondence. Series 4 - Audio Recordings. 66 open reel audio recordings from North Park Covenant Church in Chicago.