Ralph G. Dunlop, Records of the University Chaplain

As well as tending to the duties of preacher and counselor at Northwestern, the University Chaplain is the coordinator of religious affairs and acts as a liaison between more than fifteen Protestant denominational, Roman Catholic, and Jewish religious groups represented at the University. The records of the University Chaplain reflect the office's involvement in this work. The bulk of the series is comprised of general correspondence and related materials documenting the activities of a number of campus religious groups and organizations including: the University Board of Religion, Campus Religious Counselors, the University Chapel Association, Chapel Board and Chapel Committee, the Methodist Student Foundation, the United Campus Christian Foundation, the Westminster Foundation, the Hillel Foundation, the Wesley Foundation, the Unitarian College Club, and the University Lutheran Parish.

Other committees and groups represented in the records include Church in the Chapel, 1970-1973; the Evanston Youth Committee, 1968; the Center for Religion and Law, 1971-1974; and the National Association of College and University Chaplains, 1960.

Several files of materials relate to Dunlop's involvement in the conscientious objection movement during the Vietnam War period. Files from the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors, 1969, and the National Interreligious Service Board for Conscientious Objectors, 1971-1973, are present. Student applications for conscientious objector status, 1968-1970, also are included here.

Records relating to the organization of worship service are plentiful. There are files on liturgies and liturgists, holy day services such as Good Friday, Palm Sunday, Advent—Christmas, and planning files for Holy Week. Files on the University Vespers document these weekly evening services from their inception in 1957 through 1966. Announcements, orders of service, and Dunlop's planning notes are included.

One-third (three archival boxes) of the University Chaplain's records consist of files pertaining to guest University preachers invited to speak at Sunday chapel services. These guests range from Dunlop's fellow university chaplains and theologians to historians, philosophers, writers, and Northwestern University faculty and administrators. Four files, 1961-1975, include schedule drafts and correspondence with prospective guest preachers. Apart from these general materials are files of invitations and related correspondence to individual guest preachers. The Latter files are alphabetized according to preacher surnames.

Miscellaneous files of importance are biographical materials pertaining to Dunlop, correspondence with the Aeolian-Skinner Company regarding the construction of the Spofford Organ in the Alice Millar Chapel, 1961-1962, and correspondence concerning the 1972-1973 Baccalaureate ceremonies.