Melvin Wittler Papers

The Melvin Wittler Papers consist of nine linear feet of material divided into five series: I. Documentation of Near East Mission, 1830-2002; II. Correspondence, 1952-1995; III. Writings, 1950-1995; IV. Subject Files, 1826-2001; V. Personal Items and Memorabilia, 1949-1996. This collection contains valuable documentation of Protestant missionary work in Turkey as well as documentation of religious and political events in the Middle East during Wittler's years of service.

Series I, Documentation of Near East Mission is divided into two subseries: Organization and Policy Records, and Institutions/Activities. Material in this series documents the work in Turkey of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions and the United Church Board for World Ministries (Amerikan Bord Heyeti). The series includes meeting minutes, reports, memoranda, and mission newsletters, in addition to materials on the history of the mission and the different schools, hospitals, and other groups it supported.

Series II, Correspondence, includes both personal and general correspondence dating from 1952 to 1995, arranged chronologically. Series III is comprised of writings by Wittler, including student papers from his studies at Yankton College, Hartford Seminary, and Princeton University as well as prayers and sermons. The papers are arranged chronologically. The Subject Files of Series IV contain a wide variety of materials collected by Wittler, including regarding human rights, refugees, Armenian genocide, and church relations as well as materials from conferences, seminars, and meetings that he attended. The final Series encompasses Wittler's personal items such as a household account book and a pastoral recordbook as well as his educational awards, certificates, and newspaper articles about him.

Due to the chaotic state in which the papers were received, their current arrangement is not a reflection of Melvin Wittler's organization but rather an order established by library staff in order to facilitate research in the collection.