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The Pastors' Papers group comprises two linear feet and consists primarily of correspondence, reports to the pastor, and other materials related to the pastor's specific responsibilities. The materials within this group are first arranged chronologically according to the tenure of the pastor and then alphabetically by type. The bulk of materials within this group consists of the correspondence of Pastors Bradby and Banks. The eight folders of Bradby correspondence are an unusually rich source on Black Detroit history. They reflect his efforts to tend to the social and economic needs of his congregation through securing jobs (often at Ford) and housing for deserving church members. The more extensive Banks correspondence reflects a deep and abiding concern for the physical (as well as the spiritual) needs of his Second Baptist flock. Unfortunately these revealing runs of correspondence are incomplete: there are years missing for Bradby, Banks' correspondence for many years consists only of copies of his responses, and the pastoral correspondence of Epps and Turman is painfully thin.

(primarily 1926-1982)