Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1960-2012 (Creation)
Level of description
Collection
Extent and medium
Bound volumes, manila folders
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Rev Canon John Chapman was a preacher and evangelist working within the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. After working as a teacher and studying at Moore College, Chapman was ordained in the Diocese of Armidale in 1957. He worked as a curate in Moree, then was appointed Youth Director for the Diocese in 1960. From 1966 to 1968 he served as Director of Christian Education. He then moved to Sydney where he was appointed Director of the Department of Evangelism, a role he held for more than 25 years. One of his assistants was Phillip Jensen, with whom he conducted university missions. He travelled around the world preaching and teaching, and wrote evangelistic books 'A Fresh Start' (Hodder & Stoughton, 1983) and 'Know and Tell the Gospel' (St Matthias, 1981). He never married and in 1999 the single students' residence at Moore College was named 'John Chapman House' in his honour. The John Chapman Foundation was formed in 2012, as the funding arm of the Diocese of Sydney's Evangelism and New Churches department, to raise money for the training of preachers and evangelists. He died of multiple organ failure at the age of 82.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
John Chapman's personal papers, including sermon notes, calendars and personal correspondence. This collection has been listed and indexed by Rev Dr Baden Stace as part of his doctoral research and the publication of "Sydney's One Special Evangelist : John C. Chapman and the Shaping of Anglican Evangelicalism and Australian Religious Life 1968-2001" (Eugene Oregon: Wipf & Stock, 2022). Dr Stace's index codes have been retained in this collection to allow for cross-referencing his bibliography.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Sermon notes unrestricted. Personal papers require permission of Rev David Mansfield.