The Montana School of Religion was incorporated in 1924, through the cooperative efforts of President Charles H. Clapp of the University, the Law School, and the Missoula Ministerial Association. William L. Young was its first director. The Montana School of Religion was not an organic part of the University. As an affiliate, however, the director was still responsible to the University and a Board of Trustees representing cooperating denominations. Students could not receive a degree in Religious Studies, but they could take up to 15 credits in courses offered by the school. The purpose of the school was to help students “make the proper adjustments in their religious thinking at the same time that they are making their readjustments in other realms of thought” and to develop a lay Christian leadership. At the same time, the school also emphasized its non-sectarian nature.
The Montana School of Religion became defunct sometime in the late 1960s. A Department of Religious Studies that was directly affiliated with the University started in 1969.
The collection contains the records of The Montana School of Religion from 1924 to 1958. The collection includes financial records, especially from fundraisers, articles of incorporation, minutes of Montana School of Religion Board meetings, and information from student activities and conferences. Items of note include a student survey of religious preferences and a proposal for a Religious Center at Montana State University (now The University of Montana) in Missoula, Montana.
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright status unknown.
[Name of document or photograph number], Montana School of Religion Records, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula.
The custodial history is unknown.
The source and date of acquisition are unknown.
The original folders titles were maintained, but the original folders were replaced with acid-free ones during processing. Materials are arranged chronologically by year.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.