Carl M. Padgett collection

Collection

Identifier: M0014

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of twenty-four diaries spanning the years 1907 – 1965. It also contains four books of poetry, one song book, sermon notes, and a hat all belonging to the Reverend Carl M. Padgett.

The diaries chronicle the majority of Padgett’s adult life. The first diaries tell of his time at Bible College and his growing faith and involvement with the church. The next group of diaries tells of his mission and evangelistic work abroad. The latter diaries describe his time as a pastor stateside. They include information about church members, fellow ministers, and his wife, Eva.

The items in the collection suggest that Padgett was an artistic individual who enjoyed learning. Along with the assorted poems, there are references to painting and music. Padgett learned to play the cornet as a boy, and began playing the mandolin as a young adult. He also made efforts to study astronomy and learn shorthand. Aside from the details of his ministry, one of the most recurring issues throughout the collection is Padgett’s struggle with his health. As he aged, illness became more frequent. He wrestled with maintaining his health through a balanced diet and exercise. In one entry he proclaims that his “body is the temple of the Lord” and should be treated as such. Detailed reports are given of what Padgett consumed on a given day. The collection also records expenses and travel records.

Dates

about 1907–1965

Creator

Padgett, Carl M. (Person)

Conditions Governing Use

This material may be protected under U. S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S. Code) which governs the making of photocopies or reproductions of copyrighted materials. You may use any digitized or otherwise copied material from our holdings for private study, scholarship, or research. Though the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center has physical ownership of the material in its collections, in some cases we may not own the copyright to the material. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in our collections.

Biographical / Historical

Carl M. Padgett was born in 1882 to Milton Padgett. He began keeping a diary in 1907 at the age of twenty-five while attending Bible college. He spent the winters working as a janitor and the summers working on his father’s farm; planting, plowing, and harvesting.

C.M. Padgett is known best for his early mission work. In 1909, he sailed with R.M. Evans to the Bahamas, becoming one of the first Church of God missionaries outside the continental United States. On this first missionary journey, Evans and Padgett worked with Bahamian natives Edmond S. Barr and his wife to establish the Church of God in the Caribbean. Along with Evans, Padgett visited Nassau, New Providence, Eleuthera, and Harbour Island.

In May of 1911 Padgett sailed back to the United States. He spent several months preaching and holding revivals across the state of Florida before returning to the Bahamas later that same year. He was accompanied by thirteen other ministers including A.J. Tomlinson and J.W. Buckalew. The group traveled throughout the island nation preaching, teaching, and singing.

On 28 March 1912, Padgett married Eva Brawner of Maitland, Florida. In 1913, he succeeded R. M. Evans for a short term as overseer of the Bahamas. At the General Assembly in November, Padgett gave a noted speech outlining the church’s system of tithing. In 1914, he returned to Florida to pastor.

Throughout the next four decades, Padgett served as pastor for local congregations throughout Florida and South Georgia.

While serving in the United States, the Padgetts retained their interest in world missions. They made several return trips to further assist the growing church in the Bahamas. The Padgetts also maintained correspondence with a number of missionaries abroad including a “Sister Rushin” in China and a “Brother Bennet” in India.

In 1960, Padgett was honored as he sailed to the Bahamas once again with a group of approximately 750 people. The voyage was to commemorate the early missionary work that he had conducted with Evans and Barr in 1909. Carl M. Padgett died in 1980 at the age of ninety-eight. Sources

Items in collection

Conn, Charles W. Like A Mighty Army: The Definitive Edition. (Cleveland, TN: Pathway Press, 1996).

Conn, Charles W. Where the Saints Have Trod: A History of Church of God Missions. (Cleveland, TN: Pathway Press, 1959).