This collection of circus-related materials encompasses a wide span of years, 1905, 2011, and undated, many formats, and many circuses, both foreign and domestic, and circus-related organizations in 13.5 cubic ft. (in 16 boxes and 12 Oversized folders). Included are correspondence, photographs, postcards, posters, programs, newspaper clippings, advertisements, scrapbooks, coloring books, food containers, stickers, badges, arrows, articles, maps, tickets, and Christmas tree ornaments, among others. Some of these materials are reproductions. There are some carnival-related materials mixed into the collection. Although most of the materials are written or published in English, some items are written or published in other languages, notably Spanish which relates to his work with the Little Sisters of Jesus. A folder of biographical material and several of related correspondence with the Little Sisters of Jesus documents Father Jim’s life and activities. Some parts of the collection were donated to Father Jim by other circus fans, among them Kent Ghirard.
One of the most interesting aspects of this collection is the documentation of two organizations that provide and discuss pastoral care to those in circuses and other traveling shows: The Little Sisters of Jesus and the International Congress for the Pastoral Care of the Circus and Traveling Show People.
The Circus Fans Association, various Shrine circuses, Circus City, Circus World Museum, and the Circus Hall of Fame are documented, as well as many circuses, both foreign and domestic. For a complete list of circuses documented in this collection see the finding aid for both the boxes and oversized folders.
Please note: the collection has a strong mildew smell. Researchers and staff using the collection with allergies or asthma may wish to take precautions.
Processing Notes: A wide variety of publications, 94 titles, donated by Father Jim with his collection, have been separately cataloged as either books or serials, depending on their format.
Acidic materials have been copied and the originals withdrawn from the collection, as were duplicates. The total amount withdrawn from the collection during processing was 5 cubic feet.
Biography:
James Challancin was born in Crystal Falls, Michigan, on September 16, 1941, the only child of Paul and Rose (Stefani) Challancin. He attended Forest Park schools and earned his B.A. from St. Jerome’s College, Kitchner, Ontario, Canada. After serving two years at the parish of Holy Name of Mary, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, James was sent to Sant Anselmo, Rome, Italy where he earned both his M.A. and S.T.D. (Doctorate in Sacred Theology).
After returning to the U.S., Father Jim taught for ten years at St. John’s Seminary, Plymouth, Michigan. Then he served as the diocesan director for the Office of Worship in Marquette, Michigan, for ten years. Afterwards, Father Jim served five years at St. Joseph College, Rensselaer, Indiana, as director of the Rensselaer Program of Church Music and Liturgy. Since 2000 he has served as pastor at St. Joseph Church, Ishpeming, Michigan, except for two sabbatical years during which he taught at Peramiho Seminary, Tanzania, East Africa.
Father Jim’s interest in circus began at the age of ten or twelve when a summertime neighbor, Mitch Gorrow, took Jim to shows and brought him circus programs and other collectibles. Eventually, Father Jim became acquainted with David Rawls of the Kelly-Miller Circus and traveled with the show, ministering to show folk informally. He worked as a “roustabout” helping set up and tear down the sideshow on Kelly-Miller and the big top with Carson and Barnes Circus. He also worked as a “candy butcher” (selling concessions), an usher, and sometimes on the midway coaxing people into the show. Father Jim celebrated mass with adherents of many faiths in attendance. In order to celebrate mass with performers mostly from Peru or Mexico he learned sufficient Spanish for conversations and to celebrate mass. His time spent traveling with a circus usually lasted three weeks to a month.
One summer while working with the Kelly-Miller Circus, Father Jim met the Little Sisters of Jesus, who worked full-time with the circus. Later, they served together on the Carson and Barnes Circus. Father Jim performed baptisms, funerals, and a wedding for circus folk.
By 2011 Father Jim was no longer able to travel with the circus and kindly donated his collection to the Clarke. (This information is from emails sent to M. Matyn, the Archivist, in November 2011 by Father Jim Challancin.)
