Guide to the Dave Church papers, 1957-2008 , 1957-2008

John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Published in 2022

Collection Overview

Title:	Dave Church papers
Date range:	1957-2008
Creator:	Church, Jonathan
Extent:	23 Linear Feet 22 record center boxes, 1 1-size box
Abstract:	The Dave Church papers contain correspondence, notebooks, manuscripts, broadsides, poetry journals, artwork, audio- and videocassettes, representing all aspects of Church's poetry: creation, editing, submission, publication and performance. Also included is a collection of poetry books by other authors, inscribed to Church. Most of the material is from the years 1996-2008 (although some items date from as early as 1957).
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number:	Ms.2011.035

Scope & content

The Dave Church papers is a comprehensive collection of the poet's correspondence, poetry and prose manuscripts, notebooks, broadsides, books and audiovisual materials. Although Church was a Rhode Island-based poet, his correspondence reflects the extent of his influence and includes A.D. Winans (Boxes 7-8), T. Kilgore Splake (Box 6) and Gerald Nicosia (Boxes 4-5). Church's life and work were deeply influenced by the Beat poets. Included in the collection is an extensive assortment of his manuscripts and published poetry along with titles by many of his contemporaries, often inscribed to Church. Also included are audio and video recordings of Church and others reading and discussing their work.

The papers are arranged into seven series. Series 1, Correspondence (1986-2008), is organized into two groupings: the first is an alphabetical arrangement of letters by author/recipient or journal title; the second is a chronological arrangement of submission letters from, and responses to, Church. The latter group includes submission letters sent to Church for inclusion in the Alternative Voices in American Writing Anthology.

Series 2, Notes (1970-2008), is a collection of notebooks, journals, poem drafts, address books, submission records and annotated articles.

Series 3, Manuscripts (1974-2008), is a collection of manuscript versions of prose and poetry works, both edited and unedited. This series also includes the galley copies of several works, including Alternative Voices in American Writing anthology.

Series 4, Publications (1976-2008), contains an extensive collection of Church's published poems, arranged by year and by publishing journal, his chapbook publications, reviews and submission lists. Also included are numerous poetry books by other authors, many of them inscribed to Church, as well as broadsides, posters and flyers.

Series 5, Artwork (1963-2004), includes drawings, collages and photographs, most by artists other than Church.

Series 6, Multimedia (1957-2007) contains audiocassette and compact disk recordings of poetry readings and musical performances, most by poets other than Church, as well as videocassette recordings and photographs. Several floppy disks containing Church's poetry are also included.

Series 7, Miscellaneous (1965-2008), includes several reference books and articles relating to proofreading and literary criticism along with a souvenir Green Bean Press keychain and Naked Lunch button (Box 22).

Access Points

Subject Names

• Church, Jonathan

Subject Topics

• Poets, American -- 20th century -- Archives
• American poetry -- 20th century

Geographical Names

• Providence (R.I.)

Document Types

• Audiocassettes
• Drawings (visual works)
• Letters (Correspondence)
• Manuscripts for publication
• Posters
• Notebooks
• Photographs
• Broadsides (notices)
• Videocassettes
• Galley proofs
• Drafts (Documents)
• Journals (periodicals)

Arrangement

This collection is organized into seven series:

• Series 1. Correspondence
• Series 2. Notes
• Series 3. Manuscripts
• Series 4. Publications
• Series 5. Artwork
• Series 6. Multimedia
• Series 7. Miscellaneous

Biographical note

The poet Dave Church was born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1947, one of eight children. He grew up in Lincoln, Rhode Island on a dairy farm. He attended LaSalle Academy but decided to leave during his senior year before graduating in order to travel and study the Beat poets. Church had an eclectic work history as a roofer, bouncer, and street barker before forming his own house painting company and finally working as a cabdriver. All the while he was publishing his poetry in numerous literary journals and corresponding with many writers and editors. He published at least 8 poetry chapbooks and one of prose. He was married three times and had a son, Jonathan, and a daughter, Michaela. He died in his cab of a heart attack on November 27, 2008.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access for non-digital materials, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested. Advance notice is required to view born-digital records. Born-digital materials in this collection have not been reformatted yet. Researchers may request access to copies by contacting the John Hay Library with the collection name, collection number, and a description of the item(s) requested. Access to original physical digital media is restricted.
Use of the materials:	Researchers are advised that express written permission to reproduce, quote, or otherwise publish any portion or extract from this collection must be obtained from the Brown University Library. Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation:	Dave Church Papers, Ms.2011.035, Brown University Archives.
Contact information:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148 Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	Dave Church papers donated by his son Jonathan Church (A2009-037).
Processing information:	This collection was processed under the guidelines of the two-year Basic Processing grant awarded to Brown by the NHPRC. Materials were refoldered as needed and housed in acid free boxes to solidfy the integrity of each series. The arrangement devised by donor predominates.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Brown University Library staff
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2022-10-07.
Descriptive rules:	Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Sponsor:	Processing funded by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Additional Information

Inventory

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