Rev. Herman J. Hahn papers

Collection — Box: 1-15

Identifier: MS-0084

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection documents the Salem Evangelical Church (later renamed Riverside-Salem United Church of Christ), Buffalo, New York, and its pastor from 1922-1948, Herman J. Hahn. It consists of scrapbooks and printed copies of radio addresses. The scrapbooks document the activities of the Salem Evangelical Church. Material in the scrapbooks dates from 1922 to 1983, but primarily concerns the period between 1922 and 1937. The radio addresses were delivered by Rev. Hahn on WGR and WEBR in Buffalo, New York, between 1930 and 1934.

Dates

1923-1983
Majority of material found within 1922-1937

Creator

Hahn, Herman J. (Person)

Language of Materials

Collection material in English.

Terms of Access

The Rev. Herman J. Hahn papers are open for research.

Copyright

Please note the collection contains photocopies of scrapbooks that are held by Wayne Alt.

Copyright of papers in the collection may be held by their authors, or the authors' heirs or assigns. Researchers must obtain the written permission of the holder(s) of copyright and the University Archives before publishing quotations from materials in the collection. Most papers may be copied in accordance with the library's usual procedures unless otherwise specified.

Biographical Note

Herman J. Hahn was born on January 31, 1888 in Kansas and studied at Elmhurst Illinois College and Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis. Before coming to Buffalo, he was a pastor at churches in New Orleans, Louisiana, Valley City, Ohio, and Toledo, Ohio. In 1922, he became pastor of Salem Evangelical Church located in the Riverside neighborhood of Buffalo, New York. He continued in that position until his death in 1948. Hahn was active with the Socialist Party in Buffalo and was associated with the Revolutionary Policy Committee of the Socialist Party. He ran for various local and state offices on the Socialist ticket, including mayor of Buffalo in 1933, 1937, and 1945.

Hahn protested against war and social injustice and made substantial contributions to the labor struggle in Buffalo in the 1920's, 30's and 40's. In 1927, Hahn was briefly jailed and was fined for his participation in the protests in the Sacco-Vanzetti trial in Boston, Massachusetts. During a time when such action was unpopular, Hahn remained committed to a church that was politically and socially aware and looked out for those that were subject to discrimination. After a year long illness kept him from much activity, Hahn died in June of 1948 in the town of Tonawanda, New York.

Church Chronology

The Riverside Salem United Church of Christ as it is known today, was founded in January of 1892 by thirteen German-speaking families. The church was located at Garfield and Calumet Streets in the Riverside area of Buffalo and was built the following year in 1893. Under Hahn's leadership, the church became an important voice for social justice and continues that commitment today.

1892
: Organized, January 24
1893
: Church built at Calumet and Garfield Streets in Buffalo, New York. Rev. Kohler, pastor
1894-1899
: Rev. Peter C. Bommer, pastor
1895
: Addition built
1899
: Rev. Nussman becomes pastor
1904
: Rev. Sandresky becomes pastor
1914
: Rev. Oberkirker becomes pastor
1916
: Rev. Grotefend becomes pastor
1917
: Parsonage built at 23 Calumet Street
1920-1922
: No pastor
1922
: Fire, not major. Repairs to church and rededication. Purchased three lots on Tonawanda Street behind church
1922-1948
: Rev. Herman J. Hahn, pastor
1950
: Congregation acquires Three Arrows Cabin on Grand Island, New York
1950-1953
: Rev. Alan B. Peabody, pastor
1955
: Rev. Robert T. Adams becomes pastor
1956
: Mary Lou Bischmann becomes associate pastor
1957
: Major fire on February 10
1958
: Church rebuilt on same site. Renamed Riverside-Salem United Church of Christ (Evangelical and Reformed)
1959
: Bischmann becomes pastor of Riverside-Salem United Church of Christ and St. Peter's
1960-1962
: Bischmann, interim pastor
1963
: Rev. James D. Hakes becomes pastor

Extent

6.25 Linear Feet (15 manuscript boxes)

Additional Description

Abstract

Collection documents the work of Herman J. Hahn as pastor of the Riverside-Salem United Church of Christ. Included are radio addresses given by Hahn (1930-1934) and copies of scrapbooks created by Irvin Alt, educator and Riverside-Salem United Church of Christ parishioner. The scrapbooks contain clippings about Herman J. Hahn and the Riverside-Salem United Church of Christ, where Hahn was pastor from 1922-1948.

Arrangement

This collection is divided into six series: I. Activism, II. Church and ministry, III. Personal, IV. Writings, V. Scrapbooks, and VI. Peabody materials.

Acquisition Information

The University Archives received a small amount of material in 1984 from Wayne Alt and Mia Boynton. Alt retained the original scrapbooks, but allowed photocopies to be made and deposited in the Archives for research use.

The bulk of the collection was donated to the University Archives in July 2009.