A Sunday with Pastor Sheldon article
Date: March 07, 1900
A sheet from The Christian Herald and Signs Of Our Times featuring an article on Charles Sheldon, A Sunday with Pastor Sheldon.

Biographical circulars
Date: 1890-1899
This collection consists of biographical forms sent by F. G. Adams, secretary of the Kansas Historical Society, to individuals whose names appeared in historically significant materials in the collections of the Kansas Historical Society. The responses are arranged alphabetically by last name. Biographical information may include full name, place and date of birth, place and date of settlement, present residence, place and date of death, official positions, and/or addresses of family members.

Central Congregational Church Altruist Club
Date: 1963-1976
This three-ring binder contains meeting minutes and photographs from the Altruist Club of the Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas. Correspondence, newspaper clippings, membership and mailing lists can also be found inside.

Central Congregational Church and Charles M. Sheldon Memorial Community House in Topeka, Kansas
Creator: Crabb, John A., 1869-1961
Date: December 11, 1938
This is a photograph of the Central Congregational Church and Charles M. Sheldon Memorial Community House located at 1248 SW Buchanan in Topeka, Kansas. Dr. John A. Crabb, Cora J. Crabb, Ray J. Crabb, Herbert Crabb, and Emma B. Crabb presented the photograph to the church on its 50th anniversary. The Crabb family joined the church on April 5, 1903.

Central Congregational Church bulletins
Date: 1890-1981
These are bulletins from the Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas, include hymns, prayers, church notes, activities, and order of services.

Central Congregational Church directory of members
Creator: Central Congregational Church (Topeka, Kan.)
Date: 1894-1915
This is a directory of members of the Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas, containing the names and addresses of members, including a directory of officers and organizations, such as the Mary Sheldon Missionary Society and Altruist Club. Financial reports and receipts, as recorded by the treasurer, and membership statistics, such as marriages and deaths, are included.

Central Congregational Church play programs
Date: 1910-1947
These are programs for plays presented by the Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas, including In His Steps, The High Calling, Betty Lee's Adventure, Fifty-Fifty, Today and Tomorrow, The Silent Harp, and Investments in Men.

Central Congregational Church, Topeka, Kansas
Date: Between 1900 and 1905
This photo shows children and adults at the entrance to the Bowman room, Central Congregational Church, 1248 SW Buchanan, Topeka, Kansas. Charles Sheldon, pastor, operated a kindergarten at the church.

Central Congregational Church yearbooks
Date: 1916-1925
These are yearbooks of the Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas, containing the names and addresses of members and a directory of officers and organizations, such as the Mary Sheldon Missionary Society and Altruist Club. Financial reports and receipts, as recorded by the treasurer, and membership statistics, including marriages and deaths, are included.

Charles Monroe Sheldon
Date: Between 1900 and 1910
This is a photograph of Rev. Charles Monroe Sheldon, pastor of Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas. He organized the Tennessee Town Kindergarten, which is the first black kindergarten west of the Mississippi River. Rev. Sheldon is best known for his novel "In His Steps" or "What Would Jesus Do?"

Charles Monroe Sheldon
Date: Between 1900 and 1920
Charles Monroe Sheldon, pastor of Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas, organized the first Black kindergarten west of the Mississippi River. It was known as the Tennesseetown Kindergarten. He is best known for his novel "In His Steps" or "What Would Jesus Do?"

Charles Monroe Sheldon
Creator: Clark, E. J.
Date: 1900
This is a photograph of Rev. Charles Monroe Sheldon, pastor of Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas. He organized the Tennessee Town Kindergarten, which is the first black kindergarten west of the Mississippi River. Rev. Sheldon is best known for his novel "In His Steps" or "What Would Jesus Do?"

Charles Monroe Sheldon
Creator: Samarjian's Studio
Date: Between 1900 and 1910
This is a photograph of Rev. Charles Monroe Sheldon, pastor of Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas. He organized the Tennessee Town Kindergarten, which is the first black kindergarten west of the Mississippi River. Rev. Sheldon is best known for his novel "In His Steps" or "What Would Jesus Do?"

Charles Monroe Sheldon
Creator: Leonard, J. H.
Date: Between 1890 and 1899
This is a portrait of Reverend Charles Monroe Sheldon, pastor of Central Congregational Church, Topeka, Kansas. In the fall of 1896, Reverend Sheldon introduced a sermon story entitled "In His Steps or What Jesus Would Do." It was published in a weekly religious magazine from Chicago, and the response from readers was incredible and soon it was out in book form. Sales were spectacular. Some 20 other publishers discovered the story as it appeared serially and they too offered it in book form, without compensation to Sheldon since the stories were never copyrighted. In addition to his book, Sheldon started Tennesseetown kindergarten for African-American children.

Charles Monroe Sheldon
Date: Between 1895 and 1899
This is a photograph of a sketch of Reverend Charles Monroe Sheldon, pastor of Central Congregational Church, Topeka, Kansas. In the fall of 1896, Reverend Sheldon introduced a sermon story entitled "In His Steps or What Jesus Would Do." It was published in a weekly religious magazine from Chicago and the response from readers was incredible. Soon it was out in book form. Sales were spectacular. Some twenty other publishers discovered the story as it appeared serially and they too offered it in book form, without compensation to Sheldon since the stories were never copyrighted. In addition to his book, Sheldon started Tennesseetown kindergarten for African-American children in Topeka, Kansas.

Charles M. Sheldon and Central Congregational Church correspondence
Date: 1888-1984
Charles M. Sheldon (1857-1946) served as minister of the Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas from 1889 to 1920. He was also an author of the international best seller, In His Steps, which was published in 1897. A series of correspondence, presented here, is arranged in chronological order. A complete description of the entire collection is available through a link below. The correspondence consists of letters, postcards, cards, one notebook containing letters and newspaper clippings, and assorted personal items such as his self-portrait drawings. The majority of the correspondence consists of handwritten and typed letters to and from individuals, members or groups related to the Central Congregational Church, and organizations associated with his lifelong activities as a pastor and author, including Theo Peers, Ethel Peers, Anna Heartburg, Dorothy Heartburg, Helen T. Capps, Lida R. Hardy, May Flickinger, Charles Warren Helsley, Luther D. Whittemore, Hamilton Holt, Robert Thomson Jr., Norman J. Rimes, Lloyd George, James Wise, Arthur Capper, Michael I. Pupin, Alf M. Landon, Roy B. Guild, Arthur E. Hertzler, Samuel J. Crumbine, Wilbert E. Dull, M. de Arrude Camargo, Frank J. Warren, Beatrice Hoover, Samuel C. Spalding, H. T. Chase, Bishop Wise, The Emporia Gazette, Green Gables (the Dr. Benjamin F. Bailey Sanatorium), The Atlantic Monthly, The World's Christian Endeavor Union, Plymouth Congregational Church, University of Illinois at Urbana Department of Physics, Abraham S. Hoyo, Harry Emerson Fosdick, International College in Turkey, Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, Rollins College in Florida, The Topeka City Commission, Students' Christian Association of South Africa, Crosset & Dunlap Inc. Publishers in New York, Christian Herald Association, The Texas Herald, The Henry F. Henrichs Publications, Frankfort Rotary Club, and Notre-Dame de France/Jerusalem. There are letters involving other individuals, including Charles W. Helsley, Emma Crabb, H. J. Colburn, Robert Stone, Arthur G. Sellen, Henry F. Henrichs, Logan Shoop, Frank Jacobs, Hugh F. Mckean, Lee Braxton, Cady Hodge, Charles S. Lawrence, Elizabeth Turner Rawlings, Elisabeth Ebright, R. L. McNatt, Gale L. Beck, John H. Lehman, Helen Bradford, and Everett R. Daves. Charles W. Helsley was a minister at the Central Congregational Church after the passing of Charles M. Sheldon, and Emma Crabb was in charge of the Sheldon Collection at the Central Congregational Church.

Charles M. Sheldon memorials
Date: 1924-1984
Charles M. Sheldon (1857-1946) served as a minister of the Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas from 1889 to 1920. He was also an author of the international best seller, In His Steps, which was published in 1897. A series of memorials, presented here, comprises part of the Charles Monroe Sheldon/Central Congregational Church Collection. A complete description of the entire collection is available through a link below. This series includes letters, a notebook, published articles, and assorted items surrounding Sheldon's death and memorials in his honor. The letters are to and from individuals and members or groups associated with Sheldon's study, the Altruist Club of Central Congregational Church organized by Sheldon, and exhibits related to Sheldon after his death. Correspondents include Carl K. Linge, Elsei Hobson, Hugh F. McKean, Charles W. Helsley, Howard S. Searle, Hermione Adams, Brewster Place, Catharine Brandenburg, Andrew K. Craig, John Goodin, Emma Crabb, Walter Earl Glover Architect, Bailey-Reynolds Chandelier Company, D. O. Coe Seed & Grain Company, Pilgrim Congregational Church in California, and First (Park) Congregational Church. Emma Crabb was in charge of the Sheldon Collection at the Central Congregational Church. The publication, Congregational KANSAS, published in 1946, provides his picture on the cover page and an article titled "Dr. Charles Monroe Sheldon, Congregational Minister." The topics of other publications, such as the Congressional Record of 1946, and PROGRESS, also published in 1946, include Sheldon's lifelong activities as a pastor and author.

Charles M. Sheldon to Theodore W. Peers
Creator: Sheldon, Charles Monroe, 1857-1946
Date: December 25, 1888
Charles M. Sheldon wrote to the Chairman of Trustees of the Central Congregational Church, Theodore W. Peers, accepting the position of pastor.

Children in Sheldon's Tennesseetown kindergarten, Topeka, Kansas
Date: Between 1893 and 1899
This photograph shows children in Sheldon's Tennesseetown kindergarten picking cotton in their school garden. The school was started by Rev. Charles Sheldon for Topeka's poor, especially those living in Tennesseetown located north of Central Congregational church in Topeka, Kansas.

June Chapman with students
Date: Between 1895 and 1899
This is a view of teacher June Chapman with two of her Tennessee Town Kindergarten students in Topeka, Kansas. This was the kindergarten for African American children sponsored by the Central Congregational Church, Topeka, Kansas. Dr. Charles Monroe Sheldon started the kindergarten in 1893 and served as pastor of the church from 1889-1920.

Letter from Hugh F. McKean to Dr. Charles W. Helsley
Creator: McKean, Hugh F.
Date: March 17, 1954
Hugh F. McKean, who served as President of Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, wrote to Dr. Charles W. Helsley at Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas. This letter discusses a memorial stone in the "Walk of Fame" for Dr. Charles M. Sheldon.

Letters to Mrs. E. F. Stanley
Date: 1949
This three-ring notebook, given to Mrs. E. F. Stanley, contains letters and photographs in honor and appreciation for her work with the Altruist Club of the Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas.

Mary M. Sheldon correspondence
Date: 1919-1949
This correspondence was written to and from Mrs. Mary Merriam Sheldon, wife of Charles Sheldon, minister of the Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas. Governor Arthur Capper is notably included. Many of the letters express sympathy after the death of Charles Sheldon on February 24, 1946. A searchable transcription is available by clicking "Text Version" below.

Mothers meeting at Sheldon Kindergarten, Topeka, Kansas
Date: Between 1893 and 1899
This is a photograph of the mothers of kindergarten students in a meeting at the Sheldon Kindergarten in Topeka, Kansas. In 1893, Charles Monroe Sheldon, pastor of Topeka's Central Congregational Church, worked with Topeka's "Tennessee Town" community to organize the first African American kindergarten west of the Mississippi River.

Myron A. Waterman drawing
Creator: Waterman, Myron A.
Date: between 1895 and 1897
Drawing by Myron A. Waterman (1855-1937) of a woman holding a mirror, presumably his second wife Alice Gertrude Sheldon (1862-1925). "AGS" monogram in pencil in lower left corner of her skirt. Myron Waterman first gained recognition in the latter part of the 19th century when he established and edited the Fort Scott Lantern. He held a number of other occupations throughout his life including working in the drug store business and serving as a deputy state bank commissioner of Kansas from 1894 to 1901. Waterman was a staunch prohibitionist and a member of the First Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas. Alice Sheldon was the sister of Reverend Charles M. Sheldon (1857-1946), who led the congregation. She and Myron were married in 1897.