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Inter-Faith Prayer Fellowship Records
MS-0559  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Scope and Contents
  • Arrangement Note
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Source of Acquisition
  • Accruals and Additions
  • Related Materials
  • Preferred Citation
  • Biographical Note

  • Contributing Institution: Special Collections & University Archives
    Title: Inter-Faith Prayer Fellowship Records
    Creator: Featherston, Martha S. (Martha Sconiers Featherston)
    Identifier/Call Number: MS-0559
    Physical Description: 3.00 Linear Feet
    Date (inclusive): 1957-2017
    Date (bulk): 1983-2017
    Language of Material: English .

    Scope and Contents

    The Inter-Faith Prayer Fellowship Records contains records of more than six decades of church activity that include handwritten speeches, event programs, newspaper clippings, photos, publications, audio and video recordings, personal papers, organizational documents, and related church records. During this time, Martha S. Featherston organized women's groups, founded the Inter-Faith Prayer Fellowship, spoke at various like-minded organization's events, and traveled for ministry and pleasure with her husband and church. Most of the materials in this collection range from the founding of her prayer fellowship in 1983 to the last 2010s with some of her earlier life documents going back as far as 1957, before she wed Kenneth Featherston. There are thirteen series in this collection: Martha Featherston Files (1957-2013), Kenneth Featherston Files (1988-2013), Mamie Leonard Files (1997-2001), Inter-Faith Prayer Fellowship (IFPF/ IPF) Files (1983-2017), Newspaper Clippings (1977-2008), Twin Ministries Files (1983-2012), Shut-In Ministries Files (1996-2006), Church of God in Christ (C.O.G.I.C.) Files (1975-2012), Related Religious Organization Files (1965-2007), Related Religious Event Files (1985-2009), Related Religious Writing Files (1970-1999), Photo Files (1981-2012), and Audio and Video Recording Files (1984-2004).
    The Martha Featherston Files (1957-2013) include many of her personal papers, notes, and journals as well as speeches and church-related engagements. These folders are arranged alphabetically by topic and within each folder the documents are arranged chronologically in descending order.
    The Kenneth Featherston Files (1988-2013) is a small series. These folders document some of Kenneth Featherston's church activity, particularly related to branches of the Twin Ministries. His church activities are not fully documented, though his name can be found in some other materials as part of another organization or events pertaining to Martha Featherston or Mamie Leonard. These files are arranged chronologically within each folder when dates are available.
    The Mamie Leonard Files (1997-2001) is a small series. These folders include Leonard's church activity over the course of four years. It is not a full documentation of her activity though more can be found in other series, specifically those to do with the Twin Ministries and Shut-In Ministry. These files are arranged chronologically within each folder when dates are available.
    The Inter-Faith Prayer Fellowship (IFPF/ IPF) Files (1983-2017) is a large series containing service programs, anniversary event documents, government documents, financial records, calendars, rosters, and board meeting minutes. Martha Featherston, Kenneth Featherston, and Mamie Leonard are all mentioned in several of these folders, though the documents pertain directly to the Inter-Faith Prayer Fellowship and not just to the individual. These files are arranged chronologically within each folder when dates are available.
    The Newspaper Clippings (1977-2008) range in scope. They cover several decades of Inter-Faith Prayer Fellowship events, as well as matters on the Twin Ministries, Charles H. Mason of the Church of God in Christ, and related religious topics around San Diego. These files are arranged chronologically within each folder when dates are available.
    The Twin Ministries Files (1983-2012) is a small series. These folders document the joined fellowship efforts of Martha Featherston and Mamie Leonard. Their shared birthday and ministry anniversary are documented in this series. The Twin Ministries' activities are not fully documented. These files are arranged chronologically within each folder when dates are available.
    The Shut-In Ministries Files (1996-2006) is a small series. These folders contain documents on the activities of Mamie Leonard's ministry, including event calendars and conference materials. The Shut-In Ministry's activities are not fully documented. These files are arranged chronologically within each folder when dates are available.
    The Church of God in Christ (C.O.G.I.C.) Files (1975-2012) document the events, services, conferences, and leadership of the C.O.G.I.C. organization. Founded by Bishop Charles H. Mason, C.O.G.I.C. was part of Martha Featherston's introduction to Christian ministry as her father was a part of the organization in her youth. As the date range suggests, Featherston stayed connected to C.O.G.I.C. as she continued in her ministerial work. These files are arranged chronologically within each folder when dates are available.
    The Related Religious Organization Files (1965-2007) contain pamphlets and other materials pertaining to other religious organizations with whom the Twin Ministries interacted. This is a small series and is arranged chronologically within each folder when dates are available.
    The Related Religious Event Files (1985-2009) is a small series containing various event flyers and programs. These materials detail events which Martha Featherston attended or in some way participated. These files are arranged chronologically within each folder when dates are available.
    The Related Religious Writing Files (1970-1999) contains scriptures and printings selected by Martha Featherston. These include notes on uses for these writings. Most do not indicate authors or dates. Most of these materials are of a religious nature. These folders are arranged by topic or theme.
    The Photo Files (1981-2012) are arranged by album in which they were acquired. They are predominantly of religious events and celebrations. There are some early photos of Martha Featherston's family and church activities.
    The Audio and Video Recording Files (1984-2004) is a small series. These are mostly VHS but includes camcorder tapes that fit into a VHS adaptor included in the series. There are two audio cassettes from the late 1980s. All of these materials are of Inter-Faith Prayer Fellowship events and celebrations. Some edited versions of the same event. Due to lack of funding, we are currently unable to digitize some audiovisual formats. As a result, this footage is unavailable for research at this time. We apologize for the inconvenience. If you would like to contribute to the transfer of these obsolete formats, please contact Robert Ray, Head of Special Collections and University Archives at robert.ray@sdsu.edu

    Arrangement Note

    I.    Martha Featherston Files, 1957-2013
    II.   Kenneth Featherston Files, 1988-2013
    III.  Mamie Leonard Files, 1997-2001
    IV.  Inter-Faith Prayer Fellowship (IFPF/ IPF) Files, 1983-2017
    V.   Newspaper Clippings, 1977-2008
    VI.  Twin Ministry Files, 1983-2012
    VII. Shut-In Ministries Files, 1996-2006
    VIII. Church of God in Christ (C.O.G.I.C.) Files, 1975-2012
    IX.   Related Religious Organization Files, 1965-2007
    X.    Related Religious Event Files, 1985-2009
    XI.   Related Religious Writing Files,1970-1999
    XII.  Photo Files, 1981-2012
    XIII. Audio and Video Recording Files, 1984-2004

    Conditions Governing Access

    This collection is open for research. Due to lack of funding, we are currently unable to digitize some audiovisual formats. As a result, this footage is unavailable for research at this time. We apologize for the inconvenience. If you would like to contribute to the transfer of these obsolete formats, please contact Robert Ray, Head of Special Collections and University Archives at robert.ray@sdsu.edu

    Conditions Governing Use

    The copyright interests in these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections is such that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine.  Requests for permission to publish must be submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.

    Source of Acquisition

    Martha S. Featherston

    Accruals and Additions

    2017-024

    Related Materials

    Reverend George Walker Smith Papers
    Harold K. Brown Papers, 1956-2000

    Preferred Citation

    Identification of item, folder title, box number, Inter-faith Prayer Fellowship Records, Special Collections and University Archives, San Diego State University Library.

    Biographical Note

    Martha Sconiers Featherston, founder and president of Inter-Faith Prayer Fellowship, was born in Bellwood, Alabama on July 18 th, 1932 along with her twin sister, Mamie Sconiers Leonard, as the third child to Ruben and Avie Sconiers. She grew up in Panama City, Florida where her father founded Antioch C.O.G.I.C. and where she began her church activities. In her early 20s she lived briefly in Newark, New Jersey. By 1955 she had moved to Long Beach, California. In 1958 she married Kenneth Featherston and moved to San Diego.
    Featherson has a practical nursing certificate, an asssociate's in arts in Merchandising Management from San Diego City College, and in 1980 received a Real Estate Brokers License from the State of California. She has served in many positions in both the church and government. She is affiliated with ITC Club, the Project Restore of the Black Federation, Women's Ministerial Fellowship, and is a member of the NAACP.
    After a pilgrimage to Israel, Featherston was inspired to found Inter-Faith Prayer Fellowship, a multi-denominational Christian group focused on the power of prayer to strengthen and heal people, in San Diego in 1983. The group is primarily led by women. The Shut-in Prayer Ministry, an organization focusing on praying for shut-ins was founded in the same year in Los Angeles by Mamie Leonard. The Inter-Faith Prayer Fellowship and Shut-In Prayer Ministry are collectively referred to as the Twin Ministries.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    African American clergy--California--San Diego--Biography
    African Americans--California--San Diego
    Women--California--San Diego