J. Harold Sherk (1903-1974)

Title: J. Harold Sherk (1903-1974) fonds

Dates of creation: 1916-1970 ; 1940s predominant

Physical description: 8 cm of textual records

Biographical sketch: J. Harold Sherk was a pastor in the Ontario district of the Mennonite Brethren in Christ Church, taught at Emmanuel Bible College in Kitchener, and served with Mennonite Central Committee. He was also involved with the Conference of Historic Peace Churches and provided support to conscientious objectors in Alternative Service during World War II. From 1958-1969 he was the director of the National Service Bureau for Religious Objectors in Washington, D.C.

Scope and content: Correspondence, minutes and a sermon.

Custodial history: Sermon donated by Harold Sherk, son of J. Harold Sherk; remaining materials donated by Mila Reusser in 2015 and 2016.

Note: Further biographical details can be found in the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Photographs are located in the Mennonite Archival Image Database.

File list:

1. Sermon entitled "The Universality of Jesus."
2. Correspondence re Alternative Service, 1942-1943
   Scope and content: Contains correspondence of the "Toronto Committee," problems with Alternative Service workers not being able to get leaves from camp, and suggestions for a proposed National Selective Service government program.
3. Correspondence re Alternative Service, 1941-1942
   Scope and content: Contains Conference of Historic Peace Churches correspondence and lists of Alternative Service workers.
4. Correspondence re Alternative Service, 1942
5. Correspondence re National Service Board for Religious Objectors, 1968-1970
6. Correspondence re Sherk's retirement from the National Service Board for Religious Objectors, 1969-1970
7. National Service Board for Religious Objectors Prison Visitation Service to War Objectors, 1968-1969
8. Correspondence re Mennonite Brethren in Christ denominational name change, 1947-1948
9. "Conscientious objectors in America" article by J. Harold Sherk in Current History magazine, 1968
   Scope and content: Includes article draft and correspondence
10. Correspondence re Alternative Service, 1940, 1942-1944
    Note: Peace Problems Committee minutes found in this file were moved to XVIII.3 Mennonite Brethren in Christ Church
11. Correspondence, various, 1942-1944
12. Report cards from Berlin Collegiate and Technical Institute and Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate Institute, 1916-1921

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