Access
Use
Acquisition Information
Preferred Citation
Historical Note
Scope and Content of Collection
Title: Church of the Brethren, Brethren Service Commission, Civilian Public Service records
Date (bulk): 1943-1945
Collection Number: 69029
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
6 manuscript boxes
(2.4 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Collection includes memoranda, bulletins, newsletters, and reports relating to compulsory non-military public service, conscientious
objectors, and the work of the Church of the Brethren, Brethren Service Commission in the United States during World War II.
Creator:
Church of Brethren. Brethren Service Commission. Civilian Public Service
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Access
The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual
or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.
Use
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquisition Information
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1969.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Church of the Brethren, Brethren Service Commission, Civilian Public Service records, [Box no.,
Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Historical Note
The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination whose beliefs are guided by the New Testament, with an emphasis on
peace, simplicity, and involvement in the relief of suffering and charitable work. The Brethren Service Commission (originally
known as the Brethren Service Committee and later renamed the Brethren Volunteer Service), which was originally formed to
work on humanitarian relief projects, helped oversee the operation of Civilian Public Service (CPS) camps from 1941 to 1947
for conscientious objectors drafted during World War II.
In a joint operation between the three historic peace churches (the Church of the Brethren, the Mennonites, and the Society
of Friends/Quakers) and the government, the CPS camps operated as compulsory non-military public service for conscientious
objectors, fulfilling the Selective Service and Training Act of 1940's requirement that those rejecting military service complete
other national service in the form of "work of national importance."
The National Service Board of Religious Objectors (created by the three historic peace churches to serve as a liaison with
the government) and the Selective Service worked together to select CPS camp sites and identify service project ideas, which
included serving specific government technical agencies in areas such as forestry, soil conservation, public health, fish
and wildlife, and agriculture, and helping to provide social and mental health services. Over 12,000 conscientious objectors
lived in CPS camps and performed various lines of work for no wages; camp operations continued up to nineteen months after
the end of World War II. Ultimately the CPS camps and the work of the conscientious objectors led to significant contributions
in areas such as forest fire prevention, medical science, and the mental health system.
Scope and Content of Collection
Collection includes memoranda, bulletins, newsletters, and reports relating to compulsory non-military public service, conscientious
objectors, and the work of the Brethren Service Commission in the United States during World War II from 1941 to 1946. The
first series,
Civilian Public Service Camps File, provides a glimpse into the Civilian Public Service camps through newsletters and bulletins written by the conscientious
objectors living and working in the camps. The second series,
Brethern Service Commission File, consists of memoranda and papers from the Brethren Service Commission and the National Board of Religious Objectors.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Peace
World War, 1939-1945 -- United States
Conscientious objectors -- United States
World War, 1939-1945 -- Conscientious objectors
Service, Compulsory non-military -- United States