Frank Martin Church Papers

Collection

Identifier: RG 30-132

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The papers consist of some 140 concert programs and about 90 music manuscripts. The programs (printed) are mainly for organ and piano recitals, 1883-1902, although most of them are for recitals at Oberlin, 1895-1900. The music was written for organ by Church, 1931-1952, but only three of the manuscripts date after 1942. A 1931 piece was composed at the American Conservatory of Music, Chicago. According to information Church wrote upon his manuscripts, those in 1932-34 were created while he was at Bristol, Virginia; from 1935-1942 while at Athens, Alabama; and in 1943 and 1949 at Boaz, Alabama. A 1952 manuscript was done at Tenby, Wales. Many of the manuscripts are headed, "Passacaglia."

Dates

Creation: 1883 - 1952
Other: Date acquired: 04/17/1980

Creator

Church, Frank Martin (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted.

Biographical Sketch

Frank Martin Church, organist, composer and teacher, was born in Sandusky, Ohio on April 20, 1874 to George A (1841-1910) and Ellen Sophia Hamilton Church (1835-1922). He had one sister, Ida Virginia (1878-1916). He studied in the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, 1894-1898, graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1901, and studied in Paris with Guilmant and Widor, 1903-1905. He also received a Masters degree in music from the University of Chicago and became an Associate of the American Guild of Organists. Among the schools he served as director of music were Baylor University, Waco, Texas (1921-1922); Columbia College, South Carolina (1916-1921); Greensboro College, North Carolina; and Athens College and Snead Jr. College in Alabama. Following his retirement in 1953, Church traveled extensively. He married Maud Harriet Willard (1884-1939) in 1914. They had two children - Ellen Harriet (1914-1987) and George Luther (1916-1996). Church died on September 28, 1959 in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Sources Consulted

Entry taken from William E. Bigglestone's unpublished "[preliminary] Guide to the Oberlin College Archives," which was prepared as individual entry sheets in a three-ring binder during the 1980s; and, the student file of Frank Martin Church (RG 28).

Note written by William E. Bigglestone.

Extent

0.50 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Method of Acquisition

The papers were given to the Archives in 1980 by Mr. George L. Church, who also gave some of his father's manuscripts to the New England Conservatory of Music.