Horace B. McKenna, SJ Papers 2

The Rev. Horace B. McKenna, S.J., Papers 2 consist mostly of incoming correspondence received by this important Jesuit during his ministry in Ridge, Maryland. Along with numerous research letters for two articles published by McKenna in "The Jesuit Seminary News" about Jesuit work with African-Americans, the collection includes several letters between him and Rev. John LaFarge, S.J. on that same topic. The bulk of the papers, which comprise 4 boxes (6.0 linear feet), date between 1923 and 1953. In addition to correspondence from some of his fellow Jesuits, a large amount of correspondence from many of Father McKenna's family members is included. His parents, brothers, and sisters wrote to him often, and many of their letters about family news are preserved in this archive. There is also a fine run of correspondence from Rev. Thomas E. Ambrose, S.J. to his uncle Father McKenna. These papers also hold correspondence from some of Rev. McKenna's friends and parishioners. A group of files collected by the Rev. Thomas E. Ambrose, S.J. are housed together with the Rev. McKenna, S.J., Papers. Rev. George M. Anderson, S.J., of "America" magazine donated these materials to Georgetown Special Collections Division in December 1998. These files, dating from 1969 to 1988, consist mostly of printed material about Father McKenna's career and include a few items written by him. The Georgetown University Library Special Collections Division is home to other portions of the Rev. Horace B. McKenna, S.J., papers which document his work with Washington's Catholics between 1960 and 1981. That first segment of papers includes autobiographical tapes of Father McKenna, and research files produced by John S. Monagan, author of the biography "Horace: Priest of the Poor" (Washington: Georgetown University Press, 1985). Monagan's book is found in the main stacks of the Georgetown University Library. The library's audio-visual department holds a copy of a video tape "Priest of the Poor" about Father McKenna. This portion of the Father McKenna's papers supplements other portions by providing information on the early years of his ministry.

The Rev. Horace B. McKenna, S.J., Papers are arranged into six (6) series as described below:

SERIES 1 - Correspondence from Individuals. Contains correspondence from notable individuals to Rev. Horace B. McKenna, S.J. Includes correspondence from fellow Jesuits, including Rev. John LaFarge, S.J.; Rev. William Markoe, S.J.; and Rev. Harold Mulqueen, S.J. Arranged alphabetically by last name of correspondent.

SERIES 2 - Correspondence from Family Members. Contains a vast archive of correspondence to Rev. Horace B. McKenna, S.J. from various members of his family. Includes a large number of letters from Rev. Thomas E. Ambrose, S.J.; Anne W. McKenna; Helen McKenna; Julia McKenna; Laura McKenna, Jr.; and Mary McKenna. The letters date from 1923 to 1953. Arranged into folders alphabetically by last name of correspondent and then chronologically within each folder.

SERIES 3 - Incoming Chronological Correspondence (1923-1953). Contains correspondence received by Rev. Horace B. McKenna, S.J. between 1923 and 1953. Includes letters from friends, parishioners, and fellow Jesuits. Arranged chronologically.

SERIES 4 - Printed Matter. Contains printed matter found among the papers of Rev. Horace B. McKenna, S.J. Includes two articles he published in the "Jesuit Seminary News" in 1928.

SERIES 5 - Photographs. Consists of 4 folders containing photographs found among the papers of Rev. Horace B. McKenna, S.J. Includes several photos of St. Peter Claver's Church and School in Ridge, Maryland.

SERIES 6 - Rev. Thomas E. Ambrose, S.J. Files. Contains files about Rev. Horace B. McKenna, S.J. maintained by his nephew Rev. Thomas E. Ambrose, S.J. Includes newspaper clippings, dated 1970-1989, about Rev. McKenna, along with a few published articles by him. Arranged in rough chronological order.

ABBREVIATIONS: ACS - Autograph Card Signed ALS - Autograph Letter Signed TC - Typed Card TCS - Typed Card Signed TEL - Telegram TL - Typed Letter TLS - Typed Letter Signed TM - Typed Manuscript