MSS 89

Grace, Rev. Homer E., 1889-1980

Papers of Homer Grace, 1938-1957

Gallaudet University Archives.

Descriptive Summary

Repository: Gallaudet University Archives
Call No.: MSS 89
Creator:
Title: Collection of Homer Grace, 1938-1957
Quantity: 1.0 Linear Feet (2 document boxes)
Abstract:
Note: This document last updated 2005 December 8.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: Ms. Betty G. Fry gave the Rev. Homer E. Grace Papers on the Church Mission to the Deaf to the Gallaudet University Archives on March 25, 1985.

Processed by: Wei-Mui Wong. 1998 November 11.
Processing Note: Revised by Michael Olson. 2001 April 3.
Conditions on Use and Access: This collection is open to the public with no restrictions. Photocopies may be made for scholarly research.

Related Material in the Archives:

See ALADIN for Church Mission to the Deaf.

Photographs

·         Photograph album of Anna Vaughan Johnson Anderson [picture]. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Photograph Album AL 57

·         Photograph album of Homer E. Grace [picture]. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Photograph Album AL 53.

·         Rev. Homer Earl Grace [picture]. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Portraits.

Scrapbooks

·         Scrapbook of Gallaudet College and student activities. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Scrapbook Album 4.

Small Manuscripts

·         Papers, Homer Earl Grace, 1975. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: SMSS.

Vertical Files

·         Rev. Homer E. Grace. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Biographical

Biographical Sketch

            The Rev. Homer E. Grace was born on March 24, 1889 in Garden City, Kansas. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Robert Grace. Rev. Grace attended and graduated from the Kansas School for the Deaf in 1906. He attended Gallaudet College and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1911. He also attended St. John’s College in Greeley, Colorado.

            Rev. Grace was ordained as a deacon for the Episcopal Church on June 10, 1924. Eventually, he became a priest on March 6, 1925. He worked with the deaf for 40 years in the northwest part of the United States.

            Rev. Grace received his honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Gallaudet College. He contributed his time to deaf education and welfare. In 1958, he received an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from Seabury-Western Seminary at Evanston, Illinois for his work among the deaf.

            Rev. Grace was involved with activities within church groups. He was a member of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf; the National Association of the Deaf; and the Colorado Association of the Deaf. He was a charter member of the Kansas Association of the Deaf.

            Although Rev. Grace retired in 1959, he spent much of his time traveling to the Sixth Province twice a year and conducted church services in Colorado. He spent his leisure time reading, collecting stamps, photography, and rose cultivation.

            Rev. Grace died on August 29, 1980 at the age of 91.

Scope and Content

            The Rev. Homer E. Grace papers on the Church Mission to the Deaf consists of correspondence, newsletters, reports, and sermons. Rev. Grace was a priest and missionary for the deaf people in the northwestern part of the United States, mostly in Colorado.

            The collection, which consists of approximately 1,700 pages, dates from 1938-1957. The bulk of the collection consists of newsletters titled, The Mission Visitor. The bulk dates are mostly between 1939 and 1957. The strength of the collection is centered mostly on the church services for Deaf Episcopalians.

            The largest subject in the collection is focused on religious activities for deaf people. Rev. Grace’s sermons are included in this collection.

Series Descriptions and Folder Lists

No Series.