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A small set of records from the office of the third secretary of the Mennonite Board of Missions, J. D. Graber, who served in that capacity from 1944 to 1966.  Materials include correspondence with C. L. Graber, correspondence regarding urban missions, miscellaneous reports, and telephone call log books.

Mennonites began to serve in Puerto Rico as a result of a larger medical, social service, recreation, education and agricultural program begun by the Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration (PRRA), established by the USA Relief Act of 1935.  Extensive redistribution of land and construction of homes, schools and medical dispenseries took place from 1935-42. When money was no longer available to finance the programs, the PRRA made community center property available to the Brethren, Mennonites and Friends (Quakers).

The Church of the Brethren began work in 1942 at Castaner, and in 1943 invited Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) to provide medical and social service work in La Plata valley. This became known as Civilian Public Service Camp #43, and the workers were conscientious objectors who were doing alternative service during World War II.  By 1944 the Mennonites had built a hospital at La Plata, and later a hospital opened at Aibonito (1957).  In 1943 there were six MCC workers in Puerto Rico, of which two had been sent through Mennonite Board of Missions (MBM).  In 1944 MCC personnel had expanded to 42 persons, of which 17 had been sent through MBM. In 1950, MCC transferred their administration to MBM’s Relief Committee.

The Mennonite Hospital in Puerto Rico began in 1944 and by 1950 came under the long-time administration of the Mennonite Board of Missions (MBM).  MBM had operated several hospitals throughout its history dating back to 1898, and from the 1940s-1980s, had its own Health and Welfare department.  MBM continued its operation of the Mennonite hospital in Puerto Rico at least through the 1960 and 1970s and maintained contact with the hospital at least until 1987.

Records in this series include correspondence, reports, newsletters, committee meeting minutes and reports, files pertaining to building projects, financial records, and photographs.

Incoming and outgoing correspondence regarding both primarily home and voluntary service work and the placement of Mennonite conscientious objectors into service programs of partner agencies. These files also contain some information on overseas voluntary service work.  Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by author or subject.

Researchers should note the restrictions on files marked "confidential."  These files generally do not contain confidential information about the individual whose name is on the folder.  Rather, the files contain confidential information about voluntary service and mission workers supervised by the individual whose name is on the folder.

A small set of miscellaneous correspondence from various leaders of the mission agencies of the (old) Mennonite Church.

Photographic prints and contact sheets depicting Mennonite Board of Missions missionaries, voluntary service workers, and staff.  Most images are black and white.  Photographs of individual missionaries and voluntary service workers may include both formal portraits and "action shots" in the field.

The photographs consist of 668 folders of photographs which are arranged alphabetically by the name of countries and states (USA) from 1900 to 1971.  The photographs reflecting the work of the Mission Board itself and its departments, are found under the section of "MBM".  For example, "MBM Annual Board Meetings, 1949-1958".

These records consist primarily of the minutes of meetings of the governing board for the Mennonite Board of Missions and supporting documents from those meetings.  Other records include the board's original by-laws and articles of incorporation, and subsequent regulations, policies, and certifications.  Also of note is a 1915 report considering "Sisters Aid Societies" to be organized by Clara Eby Steiner.  Steiner went on to implement and lead the Women's Missionary and Service Auxiliary.

A small set of assorted records that predate and extend through Bennett's tenure as secretary of the Mennonite Board of Missions.  Materials include reports, correspondence,and financial records.  Bennett served as secretary from 1959 to 1980.

Adminstrative files documenting the placement of conscientious objectors into alternative service positions.  These records are divided into the following series:

(1) Personnel Files, 1943-1971

(2) Minutes, Reports, and Financial Records, 1952-1969

(3) Draft Census Records, 1963-1965

(4) Correspondence, 1954-1971

(5) I-W Program Files, 1952-1974

This collection consists of minutes of joint meetings of Mennonite Board of Missions with a variety of other committees and groups. Included are the Mennonite Board of Missions Executive Committee, Personnel Committee, Overseas Missions, Board of Directors, Program Committee, Relief Committee, Mission Committee, and the Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities.

Assorted open reel and cassette tapes containing the following content:

Vesper Quartet in the Union Auditorium, Goshen College, 1956

J. D. Graber, The Biblical Basis of Missions, 1961

Nigeria VS House Dedication, 1963

Elizabeth Elliot, WMSA Sessions, "Learning to Know God" and "What I Learned from the Aucas," 1965

Fall Missions Festival, 1980 (6 cassette tapes)

Fall Missions Festival, 1982 (5 cassette tapes)

Black and white photographic prints and negatives of chair persons, vice chair persons, executive committee members, and chief executive officers of the Mennonite Board of Missions. Images include individual portraits, group portraits, and "action shots."

Meeting minutes of the staff committee charged with monitoring finances and coordinating the work of the various divisions of the Mennonite Board of Missions.

Researchers should note that this series does not contain any minutes for the year 1974.

A small set of minutes documenting quarterly meetings of the top level administrators of the Mennonite Board of Missions during the 1980s.

Sound recordings, filmstrips, and films produced by the Mennonite Board of Missions for evangelization and instruction of both youth and adults.  This colleciton is divided into several series:

(1) Filmstrips and Slide Sets, 1961-1978

(2) Sound Recordings, 1968-1976

(3) Films, 1959-1978

(4) Slides, 1947-1995

Photographic prints and contact sheets depicting Mennonite Board of Missions missionaries, voluntary service workers, and staff.  Most images are black and white.  Photographs of individual missionaries and voluntary service workers may include both formal portraits and "action shots" in the field.