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Lovell (James L.) Papers
0011
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Title: James L. Lovell Papers
Identifier/Call Number: 0011
Physical Description:
7.21 Linear Feet
(3 boxes, 3 oversized books, 2 oversized record albums, 1 oversized photograph)
Date (inclusive): 1932-1999
Date (bulk): 1935-1984
Abstract: James L. Lovell was a prominent member of the Churches of Christ, prolific author and editor of religious publications, and
a member of Pepperdine University's Board of Trustees for 35 years. The papers contain correspondence, articles, minutes,
notes, reports, photographs, and slides documenting Lovell's relationship with Pepperdine and its administrators, his involvement
in the Churches of Christ and individual churches, and his personal life including his career in the construction industry.
Also included in the collection are copies of publications produced by Lovell throughout his life, most notably
West Coast Christian and
California Christian. Materials in the collection span from 1932 to 1999.
Physical Location: Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Advance notice required for access.
Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
[Box/folder# or item name], James L. Lovell papers, Collection no. 0011, Special Collections and University Archives, University
Libraries, Pepperdine University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Some materials were donated in multiple installments by James L. Lovell's daughter, Patsie Lovell Trowbridge, in the 1990s.
Other boxes were given by Jerry Rushford in February, 2012.
James L. (Jimmie) Lovell was born in Portland, Tennessee, on June 30, 1896. He entered Vanderbilt University in 1917, but
left immediately to serve in the Navy during World War I. Upon his return in 1919, he served as the Police Chief of Portland
and Undersheriff of Sumner County for three years.
Lovell then took a position at DuPont as a professional firearms shooter selling sporting powder, before transferring in 1928
to sell ventilation products for mining and tunnel projects. His close work with contractors led to his final transfer within
DuPont, where he served as the western representative for the Explosives Department selling to large construction projects
in the western United States. Wanting to honor the accomplishments of the contractors and companies he often worked with,
in 1950 Lovell began publishing
America's Builders, which profiled projects, companies and people involved in heavy construction work. This was followed in 1953 by a series
of annual Recognition Nights, as well as the establishment of a society for dam builders, The Beavers.
In the 1930s, Lovell settled in Southern California, where he met and became friends with George Pepperdine. Lovell encouraged
Pepperdine to start his college, and became dedicated to helping Pepperdine succeed as a Christian college. Lovell was appointed
to the Board of Trustees, where he served as a prominent member for 35 years. Lovell also became very involved in the local
Churches of Christ, and helped to establish the Vermont Avenue Church of Christ with George Pepperdine and others.
Lovell was also a prolific publisher, and throughout his life he published and edited a number of religious newspapers and
magazines which he distributed widely to Churches of Christ churches and members. His most notable titles include
West Coast Christian,
California Christian,
Colorado Christian, and
Action Magazine. He also believed strongly in mission work,which led him to found the World Bible School in 1976, which offers free Bible
correspondence classes to students from around the world.
He married Vivian Peterman in 1925, and they had one daughter, Patsie (married name Patsie Lovell Trowbridge). James L. Lovell
died on April 19, 1984, in Southern California.
The collection includes correspondence, articles, notes, minutes, reports, bulletins, directories, photographs and slides
documenting James L. Lovell's work with Pepperdine University, the Churches of Christ, and his professional and personal life.
This includes compiled histories of the Churches of Christ; information about mission work and Christian colleges; the World
Bible School founded by Lovell; correspondence and information from Southern California Churches of Christ; articles about
Lovell; materials related to his work in the construction industry; and personal correspondence. Also included are correspondence,
photographs, slides, and articles from 1935 to 1999 that document Lovell's relationships with various prominent figures in
the history of Pepperdine University, including the Pepperdines, William Banowsky, Earl Pullias, Hugh Tiner, and M. Norvel
Young; accounts of the Pepperdine College crisis in 1957; Pepperdine materials from Lovell's service on the Board of Trustees;
and photocopies of correspondence, articles, and business records related to Clint Davidson, the Churches of Christ, and the
Christian Leader. Finally, the collection includes copies of publications published and/or edited by Lovell, including
West Coast Christian,
California Christian,
Colorado Christian,
Action and church newsletters. Materials in the collection span from 1932 to 1999.
Materials in the collection are arranged by topic, maintaining original folder titles when possible. The collection is arranged
in the following six series:
Series 1: Publications
Series 2: Churches of Christ
Series 3: Pepperdine
Series 4: Personal Materials
Series 5: Photographs
Series 6: Clinton Davidson
Issues of the
Alumni Voice were transferred to the collection of University periodicals, and issues of newsletters from the San Francisco Church of
Christ were transferred to the general collection of Churches of Christ periodicals. Copies of
Voices of Action: A Collection of Inspiration Sermons edited by Lovell, as well as copies of
The Man of Action: The Story of Jimmie Lovell by Bill Youngs were transferred to the general library collection.
The collection was originally arranged by James Smythe. The collection was integrated with new material, re-arranged, and
described by Jessica Geiser and Jamie Henricks in August 2012.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- History
Periodicals
Memorabilia
Clippings
Churches of Christ -- Periodicals
Churches of Christ -- History -- 20th century
Fund raising
Education, Higher -- California -- Malibu
Christian education
Photographs
Audiocassettes
Memorandums
Minutes
Newsletters
Publications
Universities and colleges -- Administration
Color slides
Correspondence
Pepperdine University
Pepperdine College
Pepperdine, George
Ibaraki Kirisutokyō Daigaku
Pepperdine, Helen Louise
Lovell, James L.
Tiner, Hugh M. (Hugh Marvin)
Young, M. Norvel (Matt Norvel)
Young, Helen
Trowbridge, Patsie Lovell
Banowsky, William Slater
Pullias, Earl Vivon
Davidson, Clinton
Miller, Donald V.