William A. Johnson papers

The William A Johnson Papers consist of 2 linear feet organized in two groups of professional papers arranged alphabetically and sermons. The majority of the papers are texts of sermons Rev. Johnson preached during the years of 1933-1994. The sermons are arranged in chronological order according to the date the sermon was prepared and first preached. Many of the sermons were preached more than once in various churches and on different occasions. The collection includes sermons given for special days in the Baptist Church, including Advent, Christmas, Communion, Easter, Father's Day, Graduation, Men's Day, Mother's Day, Children's Day, Palm Sunday, and Thanksgiving. Arranged as a separate record are Biblically referring sermons, in order of the Book of the Bible together with the date and topic of the sermon.

With the papers is a syllabus on "The Processes Involved in Interpretation and application of a Scripture Text." Papers related to church administration are certificates for marriages and ordinations, ritualistic outlines of covenants and dedications of homes. There was indication that the ritualistic outlines were used exclusively for St. John Baptist Church or if they were prepared by Rev. Johnson for his seminary lectures. Other administrative materials include mission statements of the St. John Baptist Church, job descriptions for youth minister and supervisors of Christian education.

Some of Rev. Johnson's creative works among his papers are the lyrics of his two hymns, his thesis, "The Negro Poet and Poetry 1872-1936," for his Bachelor's degree. Other publications are a brief autobiography entitled, Words of William A Johnson, and "A Voice of One Crying in the Ghetto", a series of mini sermons published under the title God Is…

Biographical data are well listed in two versions of his vitae. Both are without dates and thus are woefully limited in their complete documentation. Needed are dates he served as president, moderator, or chairman of many organizations in which he served, as well as the dates he was presented awards and commendations.