Berkeley Presbyterian Missionary Homes Collection, 1936-1997

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Summary

Title:
Berkeley Presbyterian Missionary Homes Collection
Dates:
1936-1997
Creators:
Adams, Caroline Babcock Babcock, Helen E. Babcock, F. Elizabeth Berkeley Presbyterian Missionary Homes Presbyterian Church (U.S.A)
Abstract:
Extent:
4 linear feet (6 boxes)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Berkeley Presbyterian Missionary Homes Collection. Graduate Theological Union

Background

Scope and content:

The Collection contains three Series: 1) Administration; 2) Operations; and 3) Residents. The materials include administrative records, correspondence, financial records, resident records, newsletters, and architectural plans.

Biographical / historical:

The Berkeley Presbyterian Missionary Homes (BPMH) was founded in 1937 by Mrs. Caroline Babcock Adams and her sisters, Miss Helen E. Babcock and Miss F. Elizabeth Babcock. The BPMH is a ministry related to the Presbytery of San Francisco that operates through a California non-profit corporation. The homes are operated by a board of directors and a manager who lives on-site.The initial facilities consisted of a court of seven cottages. The BPMH expanded in 1967 with the purchase of six apartment units and two larger homes. These facilities originally provided temporary housing for international missionary personnel who were going to or from fields of service, on furlough or in the process of preparing to retire. By 1997 the BPMH primarily provided housing for students and professors from across the United States and around the world that were working towards advance degrees at the San Francisco Theological Seminary (SFTS) or one of the other seminaries of the Graduate Theological Union (GTU). Though priority is given to mission personnel of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) persons from other countries and denominations are welcome. Part of the Berkeley Presbyterian Missionary Homes’ Mission Statement in 1997 included the goal of "permitting the residents to grow into a world community and a real mission presence within the larger church community." This goal is reflected in the activities and events of the BPMH, which includes study groups and discussions, social gatherings, an annual Open House, lectures and evening conversations with international church leaders. The BPMH continues to operate in this capacity.

Acquisition information:
Virginia Hadsell, president of the BPMH board of directors, donated the collection in March 1997.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Graduate Theological Union staff.
Date Prepared:
1936-1997
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to The Graduate Theological Union. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Graduate Theological Union as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Preferred citation:

Berkeley Presbyterian Missionary Homes Collection. Graduate Theological Union

Location of this collection:
2400 Ridge Road
Berkeley, CA 94709, US
Contact:
(510) 649-2523/2501
archives@gtu.edu
Website