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Religion 130 : Material Religion in America (HC)
For assistance with your research contact James Gulick. Office in Magill Library. jgulick@haverford.edu 896-1170.
History of American Religion:
America's religions
Publisher: Urbana : University of Illinois Press, c2008.
A standard survery of American religious history. Has an up to date helpful bibliography.
American decades.
Publisher: Detroit : Gale Research, c1994-<c2001>
Each volume covers a decade in the twentieth century. All of the volumes are arranged the same. Each volume has a chapter on Religion. The arrangement of each chapter is: A Timeline listing important developments in the area under discussion; a short overview of the topic; short entries on developments in the area with one or two suggested secondary sources; a Headline Makers section which has short entries on significant individuals; and a Publications section which is an annotated bibliography of significant primary sources related to the topic. At the end of the book there is a bibliography called General References which lists suggested scholarly readings for the various topical chapters. You might also check the index to see where your person, event, or topic is discussed.
The reform era and eastern U.S. development, 1815-1850
Publisher: Detroit : Gale Research, c1998.
This is one volume in the series American Eras. Each volume covers a period between the colonial period and the start of the twentieth century. The format is the same as the American Decades series.
Background Materials:
Exhibiting the visual culture of American religions
Publisher: Valparaiso, Ind. : Brauer Museum of Art, Valparaiso University, 2000.
This is the catalog to an exhibit on American material religion. By browsing the catalog you can get a sense of the range of materials that are available for study. Also worth browsing is the bibliography which at the time this catalog was published was one of the most complete listings of scholarship on American material religion.
Material History of American Religion Project
A collection of articles by members of the project. Worth browsing to see the range of topics that were examined.
Material religion :
Holdings:
(Bryn Mawr College) Available from 2005-present.
(Haverford College) Available from 2005-present.
(Swarthmore College) Available from 2005-present.
Publisher: Oxford, Eng. : Berg,
Started in 2005 this is the major scholarly journal of the field. Print copies are also available at Haverford.
Quaker aesthetics
Publisher: Philadelphia : University of Pennsylvania Press, c2003.
This book focuses on the material religion aspects of a particular Christian denomination, The Society of Friends (Quakers). Besides the individual chapters, the first footnote lists other studies of Quaker material religion.
Indexes:
ProQuest Research Library
Provider: ProQuest
Provides citations and full-text magazine and journal articles in a wide variety of disciplines, both scholarly and popular in scope. Covers 1971-present.
LexisNexis academic
Provider: LN
Full-text of thousands of newspapers, magazines, news transcripts, reference works, and legal materials. Includes NY Times (1980-current)
ATLA religion database + ATLAS
Provider: EBSCO
Provides online access to the entire core collection of more than fifty significant scholarly journals in the field of religion. Also provides citation information for journal articles, book reviews and essays for over 600 journals in the fields of religion and theology. Covers 1949-present.
Architecture:
Houses of God
Publisher: Urbana : University of Illinois Press, c1997.
A survey of American Religious Architecture.
Historic sacred places of Philadelphia
Publisher: Philadelphia : University of Pennsylvania Press, c2005.
Freedom of worship
Publisher: [Philadelphia : Old Philadelphia Churches Historical Association, Inc., c1976]
Profiles churches, meeting houses and synagogues in Philadelphia up to the Early Republic period.
Folklore (London, England : Online)
Holdings:
(Bryn Mawr College) Available from 1890-2007.
(Haverford College) Available from 1890-2007.
(Swarthmore College) Available from 1890-2007.
Publisher: London : David Nutt,
Leonard Primiano's article, "Bringing Perfection in These Different Places: Father Divine's Vernacular Architecture of Intention" appears in Volume 115 Issue 1 page 3+.
The Peace Mission Movement, an American intentional religious community founded by the Revd M. J. Divine, also known as "Father Divine," expressed through an intentional use of architecture their own quest for a Utopian perfection of consciousness in America. What is especially significant about this expression of perfection is that they did not seek it by building environments of their own creation. Instead, the movement and its leader created a unique religious vernacular architecture not by architectural design, but by a spiritualised appropriation of existing spaces. Through purchasing, restoring, re-using, and preserving many different types of American domestic and commercial structures, Father Divine and his followers developed a theology of material culture and historic preservation that expressed a major theological perspective of their belief system-to spiritualise the material and to materialise the spiritual-all in the service of God and for the transformation of human nature. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
The Peace Mission Movement, an American intentional religious community founded by the Revd M. J. Divine, also known as "Father Divine," expressed through an intentional use of architecture their own quest for a Utopian perfection of consciousness in America. What is especially significant about this expression of perfection is that they did not seek it by building environments of their own creation. Instead, the movement and its leader created a unique religious vernacular architecture not by architectural design, but by a spiritualised appropriation of existing spaces. Through purchasing, restoring, re-using, and preserving many different types of American domestic and commercial structures, Father Divine and his followers developed a theology of material culture and historic preservation that expressed a major theological perspective of their belief system-to spiritualise the material and to materialise the spiritual-all in the service of God and for the transformation of human nature. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
Religious sites in America
Publisher: Santa Barbara, Calif. : ABC-CLIO, c2000.
Includes five buildings in the Philadelphia area.
When Church became theatre
Publisher: Oxford ; Oxford University Press, 2002.
"For nearly eighteen centuries, two fundamental spatial plans dominated Christian architecture: the basilica and tbe central plan. In the 1880s, however, profound socioeconomic and technological changes in the United States contributed to the rejection of these traditions and the development of a radically new worship building, the auditorium church. When Church Became Theatre focuses on this radical shift in evangelical Protestant architecture and links it to changes in worship style and religious mission."--BOOK JACKET.
Temples of grace
Publisher: Hanover [N.H.] : University Press of New England, c2003.
"Following the American Revolution, the majority of Connecticut's religious societies tore down their boxy eighteenth-century meetinghouses and replaced them with something totally different: spired churches with an elaborate entrance portico on one of the shorter facades. These new buildings signaled a change in how these Christians conceptualized worship space, and in their fundamental understanding of the relationship between the spiritual and material aspects of their lives." "Because these new churches evoked a much-beloved myth of tightly-bound communities sharing democratic values and faith in God, they have often been romanticized as emblems of a bygone era of pastoral serenity. Yet, New England of the early nineteenth century - and its religious life in particular - was anything but tranquil. Revivalism, evangelicalism, and religious pluralism meshed with social, economic, and political dislocation to create a volatile period in which Christianity's place was uncertain."--BOOK JACKET.
Designed Mosques in the United States and Canada
An ongoing MIT project.
Ugly as sin
Publisher: Manchester, N.H. : Sophia Institute Press, 2001.
Presents arguments against modern church architecture.
No place for God
Publisher: San Francisco : Ignatius Press, c2007.
Another book arguing against modern church architecture.
Altars:
Circles, groves & sanctuaries
Publisher: St. Paul, Minn. : Llewellyn Publications, c1992
Among other things it discusses Neo-Pagan altars.
Face of the gods
Publisher: New York : Museum for African Art ; c1993.
Book's subtitle is: "Art and Altars of Africa and the African Americans". It has many illustrations.
Beautiful necessity
Publisher: New York, N.Y. : Thames & Hudson, 1999.
Looks at women's altars. Heavily illustrated.
Music:
Church music in America, 1620-2000
Publisher: Macon, Ga. : Mercer University Press, c2007.
"The history of American church music is a particularly fascinating and challenging subject, if for no other reason than because of the variety of diverse religious groups that have immigrated and movements that have sprung up in America. Different faiths have coexisted here with a measure of peace influencing and even weaving their traditions into the fabric of one another's worship practices even as they competed for converts in the free market of American religion." "This overview traces the musical practices of several of those groups from their arrival on these shores up to the present, and the way in which those practices and traditions influenced each other, leading to the diverse and multihued pattern that is American church music at the beginning of the twenty-first century. "--BOOK JACKET.
How sweet the sound
Publisher: Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Press, 2004.
Explores the role of music in the spiritual lives of a wide variety of different American groups.
Readings in African American church music and worship
Publisher: Chicago, IL : GIA Publications, Inc., ; 2001.
In spirit and in truth
Publisher: Louisville : Westminster John Knox Press, c2004.
"In this seminal work, Melva Costen explores the various genres of music used in African American worship. Moving beyond a conventional socio-political analysis, Costen examines African American worship through biblical, historical, theological, and liturgical lenses. Tracing the development of music in African American worship back to its roots in Africa, she surveys its emergence and its use in camp meeting songs, black-metered hymns, anthemized spirituals, Pentecostal music traditions, and contemporary gospel music. --BOOK JACKET.
Encyclopedia of contemporary Christian music
Publisher: Peabody, Mass. : Hendrickson Publishers, c2002.
All entries are on individuals or groups. There are no topical entries.
Goodbye, Babylon
Publisher: Atanta, GA : Dust-to-Digital, 2003.
A collection of 135 religious songs from the South. Most of the songs were recorded from 1925 to 1950.
Holy hip hop
Publisher: Deerfield, Fla. : Maverick Entertainment, c2006.
Performer: Christopher "Play" Martin, Canton Jones, Sean Slaughter, Cross Movement, Corey Red & Precise, Light-"The Flo Minister". Minister Eddie Velez, Bronte Velez, Shei Atkins, WAR Klick, Reminant, J. Silas, Lee Jerkins, GJ Hickman, Da T.R.U.T.H. XROSS.
Production: Director, Christopher Martin ; executive producer, Amen Films.
Format: DVD, region 1 ; Dolby Digital 5.1 surround ; fullscreen.
dvd introduction to Holy Hip Hop. Some of the scenes were filmed in Philadelphia.
Holy hip hop.
Publisher: [Pine Lake, Ga.] : Holy Hip Hop Music ; p2004.
Performer: Various performers.
One of three cd collections of Holy Hip Hop.
Stores:
Perspectives on American religion and culture
Publisher: Malden, Mass. : Blackwell, 1999.
In chapter 13, "Postmodern Sites of Catholic Sacred Materiality" Leonard Primiano discusses the St. Jude Shop located at 21 Brookline Blvd. in Havertown. This is one of six stores in the Philadelphia area. They also have a website: http://www.stjudeshop.com/
Spiritual merchants
Publisher: Knoxville : University of Tennessee Press, c2001.
Discusses the spiritual products industry that serves African derived religions.
Brands of faith
Publisher: London ; Routledge, 2008.
"In a society overrun by commercial clutter, religion has become yet another product sold in the consumer marketplace. Faiths of all kinds must compete not only with each other, but with a myriad of more entertaining and more convenient leisure activities. Brands of Faith argues that in order to compete effectively faiths have had to become brands - easily recognizable symbols and spokespeople with whom religious prospects can make immediate connections."--BOOK JACKET.
Nova religio
Holdings:
(Bryn Mawr College) Available from 1997-present except most recent 6 month(s).
(Haverford College) Available from 1997-present.
(Swarthmore College) Available from 1997-present.
Publisher: Chappaqua, NY : Seven Bridges Press.
David Waldron's article, "Witchcraft for Sale. Commodity vs. Community in the Neopagan Movement" appears in Volume 9 issue 1 pages 32-48.
Association for Christian Retail
The pull down menu on the far right esp. the links 'About CBA', 'CBA Historical Timeline', and 'Media Information on Christian Retail' are useful.
Online-Islamic-Store.com
WithinHisGrace.com
One of many online sites selling Christian t shirts. Their motto is "Change your shirt change the world"
Botánica Los Angeles
Publisher: Los Angeles : UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History, c2004.
Highly illustrtated book about botanicas (stores that have goods for African derived religions).
Lucky Mojo Catalog
Provides materials for African derived, Wicca, and other tradtions.
Shrines / Pilgrimages:
Encyclopedia of religion
Publisher: Detroit : Macmillan Reference USA, 2005.
The brief articles on "shrines" and "pilgrimages" provide basic information.
On the road to being there
Chapter 11 raises questions to consider when studying pilgrimages. Chapter 12 is a case study of a Seventh Day Adventist site in New York state.
Way stations to heaven
Publisher: New York : Macmillan, c1996.
Sandra Gurvis investigates fifty places where visions, sightings, and other sacred phenomena are said to have occurred.
National Shrine of Saint John Neumann
Mazar of Sheikh M. R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen
Portal of Life Eternal
This is the shrine to Father Divine which is located in Gladwyne (fifteen minutes from Haverford).
Saint Katharine Drexel Shrine
Film:
Sanctuary cinema
Publisher: New York : New York University Press, c2007.
Sanctuary Cinema provides the history of the origins of the Christian film industry.
Facing the giants
Publisher: Culver City, Calif. : Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, [2007]
Performer: James Blackwell, Bailey Cave, Shannen Fields, Tracy Goode, Alex Kendrick, Jim McBride, Jason McLeod, Mark Richt, Steve Williams, Chris Willis, Ray Wood.
Production: Director of photography, Bob Scott ; editor, Alex Kendrick ; music, Alex Kendrick, Mark Willard.
Format: DVD; region 1; widescreen (1.85:1) presentation; mastered in high definition.
A high school football coach with a history of losing games faces not only the pressures from a group of fathers wanting him fired, but also the possibility that his wife can never have children. When he turns to God, will his prayers be answered? Some have called it a Christian "Let's Go Tigers".
Literature / Tracts:
Religion and the culture of print in modern America
Publisher: Madison, Wis. : University of Wisconsin Press, c2008.
"Religion and the Culture of Print in Modern America explores how a variety of print media - religious tracts, newsletters, cartoons, pamphlets, self-help books, mass-market paperbacks, and editions of the Bible from the King James Version to contemporary "Biblezines" - have shaped and been shaped by experiences of faith since the Civil War."--BOOK JACKET.
Christian fiction
Publisher: Greenwood Village, Colo. : Libraries Unlimited, 2002.
Has chapters on the different genres of Christian fiction. Each chapter summarizes the plot of a large number of books.
Faith and fiction
Publisher: Westport, Conn. : Praeger Publishers, 2007.
"Traditionally, literature is both "mirror" and "lamp," reflecting the society that produces it and illuminating the values and interests of that society. Recognizing both of these perspectives, Faith and Fiction examines Christian literature's place in American culture today and explores the cultural meaning and significance of the wildly popular Christian fiction now available."--BOOK JACKET.
[Chick tracts]
Publisher: Ontario, Calif. : Chick Publications, <c1978-c2006>
A large collection of tracts published from the 1970s to the present.
Clothing:
Religion, dress and the body
Publisher: Oxford ; Berg, 1999.
"This book investigates dress in American religious communities as a vital component of the social control of cultures, and also examines how people express themselves despite religious constraints. Gender issues feature prominently since the control of female sexuality within religious communities is a matter of vital concern to members. "--BOOK JACKET.
Santería garments and altars
Publisher: Jackson : University Press of Mississippi, c1994.
"... the focus is upon the artistry of garments and altars that are intrinsic to Santeria. Detailed here is information about their design and creation, the artists who make them, and the importance of aesthetics in the religious celebration." "--BOOK JACKET.
Asho Orisha (clothing of the Orisha)
Publisher: 1999.
Subtitle is: Material culture as religious expression in Santeria.
Folklore forum
Holdings:
(Bryn Mawr College) Available from 2005-present.
(Haverford College) Available from 2005-present.
(Swarthmore College) Available from 2005-present.
Publisher: Bloomington, IN : Folklore Forum.
Ysamur Flores article, "Fit for a Queen": Analysis of a Consecration Outfit in the Cult of Yemaya" which discusses clothing in Santeria appears in Volume 23 Issue 1 (1990) pages 47-56.
Religion and American culture
Holdings:
(Bryn Mawr College) Available from 1991-present.
(Haverford College) Available from 1991-present.
(Swarthmore College) Available from 1991-present.
Publisher: Bloomington, IN : Indiana University Press for the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis,
Pamela Klassen's article, "The Robes of Womanhood: Dress and Authenticity among African American Methodist Women in the Nineteenth Century" appears in Volume 14 Issue 1 page 39+
The Web:
The number of religious websites is almost infinite. It has reached the point where it is unusual for a local religious congregation to not have a website.
Beliefnet
Largest multi-faith e-community site.
Second Life
A virtual world started in 2003.
JDate
An example of an online dating service aimed at a particular relgious group.