Manuscripts

MSS 115
Berg, Rev. Otto B., 1915-1991
Papers of Rev. Otto B. Berg, 1909-1995 

 

Gallaudet University Archives

Descriptive Summary

Repository: Gallaudet University Archives
Call No.: MSS 115
Creator: Rev. Otto B. Berg
Title: Papers of Rev. Otto B. Berg, 1937-1987
Quantity: 7.0 Linear Feet (14 document boxes)
Abstract: Rev. Berg was a prolific clergyman in the Deaf community and this collection focuses on his work as a clergyman.
Note: This document last updated 2005 November 21.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: His wife, Mary Ann Berg, gave the Rev. Otto B. Berg Papers to the Gallaudet University Archives. The gifts were made in March 1995 and April 1996.
Processed by: Michael Olson. February 2001.
Processing Note: Conditions on Use and Access: This collection is open to the public with no restrictions. Photocopies may be made for scholarly research.

Related Material in the Archives:

Photographs 

• Berg, Otto [picture]. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Portraits

Vertical Files

• Berg, Otto. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Biographical

Biographical Sketch

Rev. Otto B. Berg was born on January 7, 1915 in Mohall, North Dakota. He grew up on a farm and attended public schools for nine years until he became deaf at the age of 14 due to medical aliment. He was transferred to the North Dakota School for the Deaf at Devils Lake and graduated in 1932. He was employed as a printer and also an editor at a county newspaper. In 1933 he entered Gallaudet College, now Gallaudet University. There he was involved in several activities, specifically as an editor for The Buff and Blue, a student newspaper. Berg graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1938. Following his graduation, he worked as a printer and edited a small weekly newspaper in Wisconsin.

Rev. Berg became interested in becoming a priest for the deaf and he entered the Divinity School of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Philadelphia in 1940. He graduated with a Bachelor of Theology degree in 1943. He began to work with the deaf people. Rev. Berg was ordained as a Deacon at All Soul's Church for the Deaf in Philadelphia on May 30, 1943. He served as a missionary to the deaf for the Dioceses of Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia, South and Southwest part of Virginia from November 1, 1943 to December 31, 1947. He also was ordained as an Episcopal priest at Church of St. Michael's and All Angel's in Baltimore on May 27, 1944. Rev. Berg was married to Mary Ann Laken in 1945 and had two children, David and Larry.

Rev. Berg served as a vicar at All Souls' Church for the Deaf in Philadelphia from January 1948 to September 1950. At that time he was a missionary to the deaf for the Dioceses of New Jersey and Delaware. In 1950 Rev. Berg and his family moved to Washington, DC. He served as a vicar at St. Barnabas Mission for the Deaf from 1951 until his retirement on June 30, 1979. He was a part time chaplain at Gallaudet College until September 1, 1950. He founded Canterbury Club, an Episcopal group for Gallaudet students. Rev. Berg worked as a missionary to the deaf for the Dioceses of Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia. He also served as a Vicar at Resurrection, St. Mark's Church and St. John's Church in Chevy Chase. He retired in 1979, however, he continued to active as a volunteer teacher at Andeweg School for the Deaf in Beirut, Lebanon for a short time.

Rev. Berg involved in the activities for the Deaf community in the Washington, DC area. He was the President for the DC chapter of Gallaudet University Alumni Association. He was the founder and president of the National Health-Care Foundation for the Deaf, Inc. He served as a President for the Episcopal Conference for the Deaf from 1966 to 1969. He also was the president of the Washington DC Division 46 of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf from 1970 to 1973. He served on the Board for the Telecommunication Exchange for the Deaf, Inc. He was an editor of The Deaf Episcopalian. In 1980 he was named as a Historiographer for the Episcopal Conference for the Deaf. In 1991 he received an award from the Laurent Clerc Cultural Fund. He received several awards for his tiring service to the deaf.

Rev. Berg wrote a book about the history of the Episcopal Church for the Deaf, titled "Missionary Chronicle: being a history of the ministry to the deaf in the Episcopal Church, 1850-1980" published in 1984. He authored with Henry L. Buzzard, "Thomas Gallaudet: apostle to the deaf: with a supplement on the life and ministry of Henry W. Syle" published in 1989. Rev. Berg died on May 4, 1991 in Washington, DC.

Scope and Content

The Rev. Otto B. Berg Papers consist of correspondence, clippings, articles, booklets, brochures, program books, certificates, diaries, minutes, reports, sermons, newsletters, constitution and by-laws, memorandums, annual reports and pamphlets. Rev. Berg was an Episcopal priest from 1944 until his retirement in 1979. He was a missionary to the deaf for New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC. He involved in serving with deaf organizations in Washington, DC area.

The collection, which consists of approximately 11,900 pages, dates from 1909 to 1995. The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence, newsletters and sermons. The bulk dates are mostly between 1943 and 1991, which was during his time he served as an Episcopal priest and missionary to the deaf. The strength of the collection is centered mostly on activities with Episcopal Church for the Deaf.

The largest subject in the collection is focused on the Episcopal Church, which Rev. Berg was heavily involved. Rev. Berg served as a priest and vicar in Philadelphia and in Washington, DC area. He involved with the Episcopal Conference for the Deaf. Rev. Berg involved with several organizations, for example, Deaf Pride, Inc; District of Columbia Association for the Deaf, Inc; National Fraternal Society of the Deaf Washington Division #46; Telecommunication Exchange for the Deaf, Inc; and National Health-Care Foundation for the Deaf, Inc.

In the collection consists of correspondence between Rev. Berg and his friends, Rev. Joseph Ondiek and Bishop Ghais Abdel Malik whose reside in Europe and Egypt; also Father A. J. Andeweg of Switzerland. These letters related to their work with deaf people.

The collection includes two boxes of sermons between 1943 and 1987. They are arranged by year. Rev. Berg wrote these sermons when he was served in Philadelphia and Washington, DC.

There are index cards that listed deaf Episcopal members from 1949 to 1960.

Of interest item in the collection, Rev. Berg kept a journal while he was student at Gallaudet College. It is called "Daily Page" written between 1935 and 1938 which tells his daily activities at Gallaudet for his class assignments.

In the collection including one old minute book of "Washington Episcopal Deaf-Mute Mission Guild" dated from 1909 to 1911. However, there are few pages written by a secretary of that organization.

Series Descriptions

Series 1: Episcopal File
Boxes 1-8 1909-1995

Rev. Otto B. Berg was an Episcopal priest and vicar to the deaf from 1944 to 1979. In this series are correspondence, newsletters, brochures, reports, constitution and by-laws, minutes, and sermons. The collection mainly include materials relate to Episcopal activities for the deaf.

Series 2: General File
Box 8 1945-1992

This series consists various subjects relating to deaf. Including in this collection there is two folders on Wilson H. Grabill, a close friend of Rev. Berg's.

Series 3: Organizations File
Boxes 9-11 1951-1991

Rev. Berg involved in several organizations in the Washington, DC area between 1951 and at the time of his death in 1991. Including in this series are correspondence, minutes, reports, constitution and by-laws, and newsletters. He heavily involved with the organizations between 1981 and 1991 after his retirement from Episcopal Church.

Series 4: Personal File
Boxes 11-14 1922-1991

This series including various subjects relating to Rev. Berg's activities. Including in this collection are correspondence, awards, certificates, diplomas, program books, membership cards, diaries, and journal. Class assignments and journal written by Rev. Berg while he was in college between 1935 and 1938 are included. Also including in this series are diaries kept by Rev. Berg written between 1947 and 1959 relating to church activities and travels. Two elementary school grade reports between 1922 and 1924 are including in this collection. Obituary of Rev. Berg is included.

Folders Lists

Box	Folder	Title of Folder	Date
1	1	All Angels’ Mission to the Deaf—100th Anniversary	1959
1	2	Apostles’ Creed, by The Rev. Otto B. Berg	n.d.
1	3	Article on Sacrifice and Baptism	1985
1	4	Articles of Incorporation—C.C.W.A.D./E.C.D.	1986
1	5	Bible Study	1978-1988
1	6	Blueprints—Architectural, Mechanical and Electrical for St. Barnabas’ Mission	1960
1	7	Booklet—St Luke’s Chapel f/t Deaf, Lebanon	1973
1	8	Booklets—Baptism and Confirmations	n.d.
1	9	Brochures/Pamphlets	1962-1985
1	10	Certificate by District Court of the U.S. for the D.C. to perform as an Episcopal priest	1944
1	11	Charismatic Conferences, Pittsburgh	1980
1	12	Christ Church, Alexandria, VA—Directory	1985
1	13	Christ Church Mission to the Deaf	1982-1986
1	14	Christ Church Mission—Correspondence	1982-1986
1	15	The Church of England Council f/t Deaf	1972
1	16	Church Pension Fund/Social Security	1978-1990
1	17	Community Service Center f/t Hearing Impaired	1973-1979
1	18	C.C.W.A.D.—Advisory Committee	1969
1	19	Correspondence—Andeweg, Father A. J.	1987-1995
1	20	Correspondence—Children, Inc.	1977-1991
1	21	Correspondence—C.C.W.A.D.	1957-1966
1	22	Correspondence—C.C.W.A.D.	1967
1	23	Correspondence—Diocese of Washington	1946-1991
2	1	Correspondence—General	1943-1990
2	2	Correspondence—The Link International and Father Andeweg	1978-1993
2	3	Correspondence—Malik, Bishop Ghais Abdel	1979-1991
2	4	Correspondence—Ondiek, Rev. Joseph	1979-1991
2	5	Correspondence relating to a book on Rev. Thomas Gallaudet and Rev. H. W. Syle	1988-1990
2	6	Correspondence—Semi-Annual Reports to Diocese of Washington	1974-1978
2	7	The Deaf Churchman—Acknowledgements	1960-1987
2	8	The Deaf Episcopalian/The Deaf Churchman	1966-1991
2	9	The Deaf Episcopalian—Microfilm	1986-1987
2	10	Diary of Joseph M. Ondiek	1981
3	1	Episcopal Church f/t Deaf Advisory Committee Minutes and Reports	1960-1969
3	2	E.C.D.—Board Minutes	1966-1969
3	3	E.C.D.—Booklets	1961-1972
3	4	E.C.D.—Constitution and By-Laws	1966-1971
3	5	E.C.D.—Convention—Correspondence	1990-1991
3	6	E.C.D.—Convention—Program books	1972-1983
3	7	E.C.D.—Correspondence	1981-1983
3	8	E.C.D.—Correspondence related to History Project	1979-1994
3	9	E.C.D.—Historiographer—Correspondence	1970-1990
3	10	E.C.D.—Historiographer’s Reports	1981-1990
3	11	E.C.D.—Lay Readers’ Sermons	n.d.
3	12	E.C.D.—Liturgical Committee—Materials	1966-1982
3	13	E.C.D.—Memorandums	1978-1983
3	14	Fellowship of St. John	1978-1991
3	15	Good Friday Ecumenical Services	1970-1983
3	16	Installation of Rev. Henry Knox Sherrill	1947
4	1	Index cards of Episcopal Members	1949-1960
4	2	Index cards of Episcopal Members	n.d.
4	3	Index cards of Episcopal Members	n.d.
4	4	Letter and brochures—Sutcliffe, Rev. T. H.	1962
4	5	Lists of Episcopal Members	1958-1980
4	6	Marriage of Mike Cardinal & Mary Jo Verschay	1987-1990
4	7	A Missionary Chronicle—Letters	1984-1991
4	8	A Missionary Chronicle—Sales of	1984-1990
4	9	Newsletters	1976-1986
4	10	Newsletters—Agape (Mission o/t Holy Spirit)	1984-1986
4	11	Newsletters—All Souls’ News	1948-1950
4	12	Newsletters—All Souls’ Church f/t Deaf	1991
4	13	Newsletters—Christ Church Mission t/t Deaf	1981-1984
4	14	Newsletters—The Church Review	1941-1942
4	15	Newsletters—Ephphatha Epistle	1991
4	16	Newsletters—E.C.D. Monthly Newsletter	1980-1991
5	1	Newsletters—Episcopal Cursillo	1985-1992
5	2	Newsletters—Holy Trinity Newsletter	1986-1992
5	3	Newsletters—The Messenger (St. Barnabas)	1967-1986
5	4	Newsletters—No Name Newsletter	1986
5	5	Newsletters—St. Ann’s Church f/t Deaf	1991
5	6	Newsletters—Signs of the Cross	1985
5	7	Newsletters—The Silent Missionary (Photocopy  1886-1892 (part 1)	1987
5	8	Newsletters—The Silent Missionary (Photocopy) 1886-1892 (part 2)	1987
5	9	Office of Campus Ministries at Gallaudet	1966-1983
5	10	Pamphlet—The Church Ministry to the Deaf In the United States by Steve L Mathis	1954
5	11	Paper-Religious Education and Personality Development in Deaf People by Frank Weldon	n.d.
5	12	Report-The Church’s Mission Among the Hearing Impaired: A Preliminary Appraisal by John  Lowe	1962
5	13	Retreats	1976-1983
5	14	Rev. Charles Price—The Psalms	1961
6	1	St. Barnabas’ Mission to the Deaf	1963-1992
6	2	St. Barnabas’ Mission—Program books	1985-1986
6	3	St. Barnabas’ Mission—Program books	1991-1993
6	4	St. Barnabas’ Protestant Episcopal Mission For the Deaf—Constitution & By-Laws	1930
6	5	St. John’s Mortgage Burning	1977
6	6	Script for film on portions of prayers and the Holy Communion	1967
6	7	Sermons	1943-1949
6	8	Sermons	1950-1952
6	9	Sermons	1951-1963
6	10	Sermons	1953-1958
7	1	Sermons	1959-1964
7	2	Sermons	1963-1989
7	3	Sermons	1964-1966
7	4	Sermons	1965-1969
7	5	Sermons	1970-1987
7	6	Sermons	1983
7	7	Sermons	n.d.
7	8	Sermons	n.d.
8	1	Sermons	n.d.
8	2	Sermons	n.d.
8	3	Sermons	n.d.
8	4	Sermon by Rev. Jay Croft on Gallaudet/Syle	1989
8	5	Sermon—Elizabeth Moss Osborne	1978
8	6	Sermon given at Jesus Light of the World Church, Cairo, Egypt	n.d.
8	7	Washington Episcopal Deaf-Mute Mission- Guild-Minute book	1909-1911
8	8	Weddings, Baptisms, etc	1951-1980
8	9	Christian Deaf Community	n.d.
8	10	The Christian Deaf Community at Blumenstein, Switzerland	n.d.
8	11	City of Philadelphia—Annual Reports	1948-1949
8	12	Elam Sprenkle—Live Steam Locomotives	1975-1978
8	13	Grabill Scholarship Fund	1986-1992
8	14	Grabill, Wilson H.	1945-1983
8	15	Herdtfelder, August P.—Biography	1976-1988
8	16	Landyshev Papers	1967-1968
8	17	Newsletter—Washington United Methodist Church of the Deaf	1985-1990
8	18	“Overflow Verses” by Agatha Tiegel Hanson	1972
8	19	The Poems of Edward Alden Trainor, Sr.	1977
8	20	U.S. Immigration Law—Lebanon	1980
9	1	Council of Organizations Serving the Deaf	1967
9	2	Deaf Pride, Inc	1979-1989
9	3	Deaf Pride, Inc—By-Laws	1979
9	4	D.C.A.D.C., Inc—Constitution & By-Laws	1983
9	5	D.C.A.D.C., Inc—Correspondence	1983-1988
9	6	D.C.A.D.C., Inc—Convention	1983
9	7	D.C.A.D.C., Inc—General	1983-1987
9	8	D.C.A.D.C., Inc—Membership Lists	1983-1986
9	9	D.C.A.D.C., Inc—Memorandums	1983-1986
9	10	D.C.A.D.C., Inc—Minutes and Agendas	1983-1986
9	11	D.C.A.D.C., Inc—National Association o/t Deaf	1983-1985
9	12	D.C.A.D.C., Inc—Newsletters	1983-1984
9	13	D.C.A.D.C., Inc—Special Meeting: re: Lopez	1985
9	14	D.C.A.D.C., Inc—Treasurer’s Reports	1983-1986
9	15	G.U.A.A.—DC Chapter	1981-1988
9	16	Metro Washington Association o/t Deaf, Inc	1987
9	17	National Fraternal Society of the Deaf	1951-1971
9	18	N.F.S.D.—Washington Division #46	1962
9	19	N.F.S.D.—Washington Division #46	1989-1990
9	20	N.F.S.D.—Washington Div. #46—Newsletters	1980-1983
10	1	National Health-Care Foundation f/t Deaf, Inc.	1973-1990
10	2	N.H.C.F.D. Inc.—Newsletters	1977-1990
10	3	National Literary Society for the Deaf—Constitution and By-Laws	1966-1972
10	4	National Literary Society for the Deaf—History	1982
10	5	Newsletters—Out of the Clatterbox	1983-1987
10	6	Newsletters—Voice of the MAD (Maryland Association for the Deaf)	1982
10	7	Telecommunications Exchange for the Deaf, Inc.	1986-1991
10	8	T.E.D.I., Inc.—Board Meeting Minutes	1987-1991
10	9	T.E.D.I., Inc.—Correspondence	1987-1990
11	1	T.E.D.I. Tales by Rev. Otto B. Berg	1987-1988
11	2	T.E.D.I. Regional Advisory Council—General	1985-1987
11	3	T.E.D.I. Regional Advisory Council—General	1985-1987
11	4	Virginia Association of the Deaf	1952-1981
11	5	Volunteer Services for the Deaf	1979-1984
11	6	Washington Episcopal Clergy Association	1971-1991
11	7	Washington Metropolitan Deaf Alliance, Inc.	1980-1981
11	8	Address Books    Part 1	1947-1980
11	9	Address Books    Part 2	1947-1980
11	10	Airlines Tickets	1979-1988
11	11	Awards	1936-1977
11	12	Baseball Official Score Card—Washington Baseball Club	1934
11	13	Blueprint—Alternation of Porch and Steps at The Residence of Rev. Otto B. Berg	1964
11	14	Booklet—A Pictorial Pilgrimage to the Cathedral of St. John’s, New York City	1936
12	1	Certificate—Confirmation	1939
12	2	Certificate—Pupil’s Voluntary Reading Course	1927
12	3	Class Assignments—Astronomy	1938
12	4	Class Assignments—Analytics	1935-1936
12	5	Class Assignments—Calculus	1936-1937
12	6	Class Assignments—English	1938
12	7	Class Assignments—Psychology	n.d.
12	8	Class Assignments—Test—Surveying	1935
12	9	Columbia Typographical Union—Constitution & By-Laws	1964
12	10	Commencement Exercises Program—North Dakota School for the Deaf	1932
12	11	Correspondence—Personal	1947-1991
12	12	Correspondence—Personal	1946-1979
12	13	Correspondence—Personal	1980-1983
12	14	Correspondence—Personal	1984-1987
12	15	Correspondence—Personal	1984-1991
13	1	Daily Page by Otto B Berg	1935-1938
13	2	Diaries	1947-1949
13	3	Diaries	1950-1954
13	4	Diaries	1955-1959
13	5	Diploma—Gallaudet University	1986
13	6	Diploma—North Dakota School for the Deaf	1932
13	7	Diploma—Public School, North Dakota	1928
13	8	D C Real Property Assessments	1980-1991
13	9	Driver’s Licenses	1990
13	10	Financial Statements from Norway	1939-1946
13	11	Gallaudet College—Chicago Alumni	1942
13	12	Gallaudet College—Commencement Programs	1934-1938
13	13	Gallaudet College/University	1964-1990
13	14	Gallaudet Encyclopedia	1985-1986
13	15	Genealogy	n.d.
13	16	The George Washington University Federalist	1958
13	17	Grades Reports—Gallaudet College	1934-1938
13	18	Guest Book—Housewarming	1958-1959
13	19	Hand Alphabets	1953
13	20	Hazel’s Parliamentary Chart	1938
14	1	Kappa Gamma Fraternity	1936-1987
14	2	Letter—Barbara Bush	1989
14	3	Letter—Donald N. Langenberg	1991
14	4	Letters—Personal	1934-1936
14	5	Letters—Harry E. Polk, Williston Daily Herald	1936-1938
14	6	Letters—Cadwallader L. Washburn	1938
14	7	Literature/Poems	n.d.
14	8	Materials relating to Rev. Berg’s Ordination	1940-1944
14	9	Membership Cards	1956-1995
14	10	The New Testaments with Psalms	1943
14	11	Newspaper—Renville County Farmer, Mohall, ND	1951
14	12	“O” Street Lot Transaction	1984-1990
14	13	Obituaries—Clippings	1979-1986
14	14	Obituary of Rev. Otto B. Berg	1991
14	15	Personal	1945-1990
14	16	Personal Profile	1971
14	17	Personality Study and Life History of Stanley Firrah	1941-1942
14	18	Philadelphia Divinity School	1940-1974
14	19	The Pocket Gospel of St. John	n.d.
14	20	Report Cards—Public Schools, North Dakota	1922-1924
14	21	Rev Berg’s Comments on Answering Service For the Deaf	1980-1982
14	22	Visitor’s Passes to Congress	1970