Herluf M. Jensen papers

Collection

Call Number: RG 312

Scope and Contents

This collection includes correspondence and documents from throughout Jensen’s life, especially reflecting his work with ecumenical and student Christian organizations, including the WCSF, USCC, a variety of Lutheran ministries, the National Council of Churches, and others. His writings focus primarily on the relation between churches and the academy, religion on university campuses, Christian mission and ethics, ecumenicalism, and contemporary political issues such as the civil rights movement and McCarthyism.

The Jensen papers complement various other collections at the Divinity Library that document student Christian movements, including records of the World Student Christian Federation (RG 46), United Student Christian Council (RG 239), National Student Christian Federation (RG 247), and Student Christian Movement in New England (RG 57).

Dates

1943 - 2002

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Herluf Jensen, 2019

Arrangement

Arranged in 5 series:

Series I: Correspondence

Series II: Writings and Notes by Jensen

Series III: Collected Material

Series IV: Memorabilia

Series V: Audio-Visual Material

Extent

6 Linear Feet (14 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/divinity.312

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection documents Herluf Jensen's work with ecumenical and student Christian organizations, including the World Student Christian Federation, United Student Christian Council, a variety of Lutheran ministries, the National Council of Churches, and others. His writings focus primarily on the relation between churches and the academy, religion on university campuses, Christian mission and ethics, ecumenicalism, and contemporary political issues such as the civil rights movement and McCarthyism.

Biographical / Historical

Herluf M. Jensen (1923-2010) was a Lutheran bishop and a leader in the ecumenical movement, with involvement in the World Christian Student Federation, United Student Christian Council, and several other interdenominational organizations. He served in the US Army in World War II and was awarded a Purple Heart. He studied at Grand View Junior College, where he met and married Dorthea Lund, then received a bachelor’s degree from Harvard and a master’s degree in English from the University of Minnesota.

After receiving his Master's degree, Jensen worked for the National Council of Churches, coordinating evangelistic programs for college religious groups. After graduating from Union Theological Seminary in 1964, Jensen worked as a secretary for the Board of Social Ministry in the Lutheran Church of America. In that position, he participated in civil rights marches and organized food and clothing distributions in Newark, New Jersey and in Detroit. In 1968 he became pastor of 750-member St Matthew Lutheran Church in Moorestown, New Jersey, and in 1978 he was elected president of the New Jersey Synod. As both pastor and bishop, he advocated for women’s ordination, the racial diversification of congregations, and activist urban ministries, particularly in Camden and Newark. He retired from ministry in 1991 and passed away in 2010.