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