C. Kevin Starnes Collection

Tarrant County Archives > Holdings > Named Collections > S > Starnes, C. Kevin

HISTORICAL NOTE

C. Kevin Starnes is a resident of Fort Worth who has taken initiative to preserve its history by collecting significant archival materials and donating them to the Archives. He has collected materials from local churches, theaters, banks, and the fashion industry. 

Starnes collected a set of programs of the long-running play The Littlest Wiseman from the William Edrington Scott Theater in Fort Worth. F. Howard and Mary Walsh brought the play to Fort Worth in 1961 and first staged it at McLean Jr. High School. It ran there until 1965 then moved to the newly built Scott Theater. The Walshes funded the production of The Littlest Wiseman every year from 1961 to 2019. In 2022, a City- appointed Task Force began a project to redevelop the Fort Worth Community Arts Center where the Scott Theater is located. Starnes saved the programs before they were discarded as old materials were being removed from the building. 

Along with what he personally collected, Starnes was given various items from a long-time member of Boulevard United Methodist Church (previously called Boulevard Methodist Church). Most of the items pertain to the church and were created by Pastor Richard W. Jenkins, Jr., who served as pastor from 1970-1974, and Mac Abels, who was a church member and lay pastor. Boulevard United Methodist Church was located at 1600 Circle Park Blvd in Fort Worth, Texas. It eventually closed and the building was demolished. 
 

SCOPE AND CONTENTS

The collection contains materials from businesses, events, theaters, and the Boulevard United Methodist Church in Tarrant County. It includes photographs, correspondence, newspapers, programs, church records, and various publications. The materials are dated 1960-2019. 

Materials in this collection consist of the following:

Clippings

  • Clippings from Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1973-1974, about Fort Worth Methodist pastors

Correspondence

  • Letters exchanged between Pastor Richard W. Jenkins Jr., Boulevard United Methodist Church members, and pastors at other churches, 1964-1974
  • Richard W. Jenkins, Jr.'s application to Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University, 1972-1973
  • Bauder Fashion College Career Day letter sent to a guest speaker, includes a college pamphlet, 1975 
  • Arnold Palmer Sweepstakes congratulatory letter to winner Mac Abels, from A. Davis Company, 1964

Directory

  • Membership directory for Boulevard United Methodist Church, circa 1970

Documents

  • Speech by Pastor Richard W. Jenkins Jr., The Making of a Race Horse, 1972
  • Boulevard United Methodist Church event materials, 1967-1976
  • Monnig's Receipt, 1960

Newspapers

  • 5 issues of Boulevard Methodist Church Edition of The Texas Methodist, 1967-1968
  • Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Saturday Edition, October 20, 1979
  • Fort Worth Star-Telegram, "Unveiling Bass Hall," April 26, 1998

Photographs

  • 14 monochromatic and color photographs of Boulevard United Methodist Church members and services, circa 1970

Plans

  • Boulevard United Methodist Church signage design plan, undated

Programs

  • Weekly Boulevard United Methodist Church service programs, 1972-1974
  • Bass Hall Grand Opening and Van Cliburn Inaugural Recital, 1998
  • Coco the Musical at State Fair of Texas,State Fair Music Hall, 1971
  • The Littlest Wiseman, a production at the William Edrington Scott Theater, Fort Worth, 23 programs from 1995-2019

Publications

  • Boulevard United Methodist Church Newsletters, 1973-1974
  • United Methodist Church Newsletters, April 1973, March 1974
  • United Methodist Church Personal Accident Insurance Program Pamphlet, circa 1972
  • How to Manage Your Money, by First National Bank of Fort Worth, 1975
  • Meachum's Bridal Catalog, circa 1970

Records

  • Boulevard United Methodist Church Council meeting minutes, 1968-1973