The Finding Aid of the James L. Lovell Papers 0011
Jamie Henricks and Jessica Geiser
The processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid was funded by the generous support of the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
August 2012
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu 90263-4786
kelsey.knox@pepperdine.edu
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.
Conditions Governing Access
Advance notice required for access.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
Preferred Citation
[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.
Biographical note
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.
Scope and Content
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.
Arrangement
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
Separated Materials
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.
Processing Information
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.
box 1, oversize Books 1-3
Series 1:
Publications
1936-1984
Scope and Content
The series contains copies of publications edited or published by Lovell throughout his life, including the newsletters of
two individual Churches of Christ attended by Lovell in Los Angeles. Also included are materials related to specific publications,
including correspondence from readers of
Action, materials related to publishing
West Coast Christian, and the letterheads of various publications.
box 1
Action Correspondence
1962-1984
box 1
California Christian
1951-1959
box 1
Central News - Central Church of Christ Newsletter
1933-1943
box 1
Colorado Christian
1936-1937
box 1
Peoples Bible Advocate
1938-1939
box 1
Publications' Letterheads
box 1
Vermont News - Vermont Ave. Church of Christ Newsletter
1938-1961
box 1
West Coast Christian Materials
1946-1958
box 1-2
Series 2:
Churches of Christ
1935-1988
Scope and Content
The series contains materials related to Lovell's work within the Churches of Christ, both as an overall movement and with
individual places of worship. This includes correspondence, notes, bulletins, reports, informational materials produced by
churches; certificates for various programs sponsored by Lovell; the histories of churches in the Western United States; pins
from Ibaraki Christian College in Japan; and materials produced by the World Bible School founded by Lovell.
box 1
Sub-series 2.1:
Individual Churches
1935-1984
box 1
Central Church of Christ
1934-1948
box 1
Coastline Church of Christ
1983-1984
box 1
El Cajon/San Diego Church of Christ
1937-1943
box 1
Inglewood Church of Christ
1942
box 1
Long Beach Church of Christ
1935-1938
box 1
Redondo Beach Church of Christ
1962-1966
box 1
Santa Monica Church of Christ
1954-1965
box 1
Torrance Church of Christ
1973-1980
box 1
Vermont Avenue Church of Christ
1938-1961
box 1-2
Sub-series 2.2:
General Materials
1936-1988
box 1
Certificates for Programs Sponsored by Lovell (Don't Smoke Club & Miss A Meal)
box 1
Church Histories - California Churches
1959-1960
box 2
Church Histories - Northwest Churches
1940s
box 2
Church Histories - West Coast Churches
1940-1945
box 2
Directories of Western Churches of Christ
1945-1950
box 2
Ibaraki Christian College Lapel Pins
box 2
Other Churches of Christ Colleges
1943-1969
box 2
Various Churches of Christ Publications
1936-1984
box 2
World Bible School
1982-1988
box 2-3
Series 3:
Pepperdine
1932-1999
Scope and Content
The series contains materials related to Lovell's work at Pepperdine as a Trustee, as well as his relationships with various
Pepperdine administrators and staff. This includes both personal and professional correspondence between Lovell and prominent
Pepperdine officials such as George Pepperdine, Earl Pullias, J.P. Sanders, William Banowsky, Hugh Tiner and M. Norvel Young;
articles and publications about Pepperdine and Young; correspondence, minutes, notes, reports, memorandums, bulletins and
brochures from Lovell's time as a Trustee; and his work with the Advisory Board, President's Council and fundraising efforts
for the college. Also included are some materials from Lovell's daughter, Patsie Lovell Trowbridge, including receipts for
her tuition at Pepperdine College; correspondence between her and Pepperdine officials including Earl Pullias, James Smythe
and the Youngs; and her account of the Pepperdine College crisis in 1957.
box 2
Sub-series 3.1:
Correspondence with Pepperdine Officials
1932-1999
box 2
William S. Banowsky
1960s-1983
box 2
George and Helen Pepperdine
1935-1991
box 2
Earl and Pauline Pullias
1944-1995
Note
The bulk of this correspondence is between Earl Pullias and Patsie Lovell Trowbridge.
box 2
J.P. and Gloria Sanders
1958-1996
box 2
James Smythe
1950s-1998
Note
Includes mostly correspondence to and from Patsie Lovell Trowbridge. Also includes two letters to the Lovells, one each from
Mrs. Young and Mrs. Seaver.
box 2
Hugh and Lola Tiner
1935-1999
box 2
M. Norvel and Helen Young
1939-1992
box 2
Sub-series 3.2:
General Materials
1937-1998
box 2
Patsie Lovell - Pepperdine
1946-1948
box 2
Pepperdine Materials
1937-1984
box 2
President's Council
1957-1959
box 3
Pepperdine Bible Building/Churches of Christ Membership Directories
1958
box 3
The 1957 Pepperdine College Crisis
1998
Note
Accounts given by Board of Trustees Chair Donald Miller and Patsie Lovell Trowbridge.
box 3
Sub-series 3.3:
Articles and Publications
1937-1992
box 3
Articles about M. Norvel Young, his family, and George Pepperdine College/Pepperdine University
1937-1976
box 3
Publications given to Lovell by M. Norvel Young
1962-1992
box 3
Series 4:
Personal Materials
1935-1984
Scope and Content
The series contains materials related to Lovell's career in construction, and his family and personal life. This includes
articles and publications related to construction work, including issues of the
America's Builders; articles about Lovell; addresses collected by Lovell; his business cards as a Bible salesman and a Trustee at Pepperdine;
his account of a European trip taken by the family; and personal correspondence including greeting cards from Pepperdine officials
Banowksy and Young. Also included are correspondence and other materials related to the passings of both James and Vivian
Lovell, and an audio recording of James Lovell's memorial.
box 3
America's Builders Materials
1961-1966
box 3
Articles on James L. Lovell
1969-1978
box 3
Articles on Construction Saved by Lovell
box 3
Christmas Greetings to the Lovells from the Banowskys
1964-1983
box 3
Greeting Cards to the Lovells from the Youngs
box 3, box 3
James Lovell Memorial
1984-1985
box 3
Miscellaneous Personal Correspondence
1935-1982
box 3
Miscellaneous Personal Materials
1960-1961
box 3
The Man of Action: The Story of Jimmie Lovell by Bill Youngs - copy signed by Lovell for Earl and Pauline Pullias
1969
box 3
Vivian Lovell Memorial
1991
box 3
Series 5:
Photographs
1935-1975
Scope and Content
The series contains photographs mostly of Pepperdine administrators and the Los Angeles campus, including photographs of Bill
Banowsky, Hugh Tiner, George and Helen Pepperdine, and the Vermont Avenue Church. Also included are a small number of family
photographs and portraits of Lovell.
box 3
Photographs of William S. Banowsky
1967-1975
box 3
Photographs of George and Helen Pepperdine
1935-late 1950s
box 3
Photographs of Hugh and Lola Tiner
circa early 1940s-1968
box 3
Photographs of George Pepperdine College, M. Norvel and Helen Young, the Lovells, and others
1937-1991
box 3
Miscellaneous Photographs
1935-1972
box 3
Colored Slides related to George Pepperdine College and the Vermont Avenue Church of Christ
1941-1960
box 3
Stereo Slides of the Vermont Avenue Church of Christ, the Church in Japan, and Ibaraki Christian College
1961-1975
oversize Photograph 1
Panoramic Photograph of all Pepperdine College Students and Faculty
1939
box 3
Series 6:
Clinton Davidson
1938-1966
Scope and Content
The series contains photocopies of correspondence, memorandums, articles, and business records related to Lovell's relationship
with Clinton (Clint) Davidson, a businessman like Lovell who was also heavily involved in the Churches of Christ and publishing.
Topics covered in the series include Davidson's childrens' camp, Camp Shiloh; Davidson's religious newspaper
Christian Leader and the controversy surrounding its doctrinal stance; plans for a Pat Boone radio show; and Davidson's positions at the Townsend
Corporation and Pal-Pen Chemical.
box 3
Articles/Church Bulletins
1932-1960
box 3
Christian Leader Business Records
1938-1939
box 3
Townsend Corporation / Pal-Pen Chemical
1960-1962
