PCA Historical Center

Archives & Manuscript Repository for the Continuing Presbyterian Church
Harold Samuel Laird Collection
Manuscript Collection #66
Dr. Harold Samuel Laird
8 August 1891 - 25 August 1987
Box number: to be assigned
Content Summary: Sermons and messages by Dr. Harold S. Laird together with photographs of Dr. Laird, a Memorial composed upon his death, and a book of remembrances compiled by Albert W. Oldham and Dr. & Mrs. R. Laird Harris. Also included is an article on Dr. Laird and his role at Faith Theological Seminary, by Mr. Gerald F. Vaughn.
Span Dates: 1932-2002
Size: 0.25 cu. ft.
Administrative Information: This miscellany collection consists of materials gathered by the staff of the PCA Historical Center, beginning about 2001.
Preferred Citation: Harold Samuel Laird Miscellany Collection, PCA Historical Center, St. Louis, Missouri.
Access Restrictions: None
Related Collections: Bible Presbyterian Church; Faith Theological Seminary; Faith Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, DE.
Collection Focus: "Called Out and Cast Out" (1937)
Biographical Sketch:
Harold Samuel Laird was born on August 8, 1891, in New Castle, Pennsylvania. His father was a faithful Presbyterian pastor who raised him in the nurture of the Lord. Harold Laird was converted at a young age and walked closely with his Lord ever afterward. Upon graduation from Lafayette College and Princeton Theological Seminary he was ordained to the Gospel Ministry and held six successful pastorates.

Harold Laird was an outstanding preacher of the Gospel, a caring pastor, a contender for the faith, and one who was vitally interested in world missions. He had a leading role in the events which led to the formation of one source of the PCA. He was a founding member of the Board of Directors of Westminster Theological Seminary, the Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions, and Faith Theological Seminary. He was willing to suffer for his convictions even to the point of being suspended from the ministry of the PCUSA and being removed as pastor of one of the most prestigous churches of Wilmington, Delaware. Wheaton College honored him with a Doctor of Divinity degree and he was elected as Moderator of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod. He also served on the Board of the Quarryville Presbyterian Home.

Dr. Laird was a man who walked with God. All who heard him pray came into the presence of God. His life verse was Matthew 6:33 and his godly spirit evidenced that he practiced it. He was completely content in the providence of God in his life. Harold Laird ran his race well and entered into glory on August 25, 1987.

[excerpted from the Minutes of Susquehanna Valley Presbytery (PCA)]
 
Subject Box File
Laird, Harold Samuel, "The Appearances of Christ" [pamphlet, 16pp., 19cm.]   2
Laird, Harold Samuel, "The Minister's Message," [sermon preached on the occasion of the opening of his pastorate at First and Central Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, Delaware, 2 July 1933; pamphlet, 8pp.; 15.5 cm.]   3
Laird, Harold Samuel, "Why Doesn't God Do Something About This War?" [pamphlet, 15pp.; 15 cm.]   4
Laird, Harold Samuel, 1944, "The Supremacy of Christ over Creation," in Christ and Him Crucified: Bible Messages Broadcast Over the Blue Network, February, March and April, 1944, (New York: The American Council of Christian Churches), pages 62-70.   5
Memorial Minute for Harold Samuel Laird, from the Minutes of Susquehanna Valley Presbytery (PCA)   6
Oldham, Albert W., R. Laird Harris and Anne P.K. Harris, 1991, A Book of Remembrance: 1891 - 1987 - Dr. Harold Samuel Laird (Hatfield, PA: Biblical Theological Seminary, 1991), 56pp.; 20.8cm.   7
Photograph, circa 1933, Dr. Harold S. Laird and [Philip?] Howard standing together talking.  Set in holder with inscription to Betty [Mrs. Laird] and signed "Alice and Anne Howard"   8
Photograph, circa 1936, Dr. Harold S. Laird leaving a church [First & Central?] with Bible in hand   9
Photograph, circa 1936, Group setting of Jacob Sheetz, Merril McPherson, Percy Crawford, Harold S. Laird and Stan Cook standing together, occasion unknown   10
Photograph, 1966, Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod, General Synod Commissioners and wives; Dr. Laird was Moderator of this Synod [Photograph by Richard Edie Photos, Colorado Springs, CO]   11
Photograph, 1966, Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod, Dr. Harold S. Laird, and Dr. Elmer Smick shaking hands [No designation of photographer]   12
Photograph, 1966, Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod, Dr. Harold S. Laird, Chaplain William Leonard and Dr. Elmer Smick [Photograph by Richard Edie Photos, Colorado Springs, CO]   13
Photograph, 1968, Dr. Richard Gray, Dr. Harold S. Laird and Rev. Bob Edmiston standing outside Calvary Reformed Presbyterian Church, Willow Grove, PA, at the dedication of the new sanctuary   14
Photograph, 1978, Dr. & Mrs. Harold S. Laird standing in the court-yard of a home in Palm Beach, FL [Photograph by John Bolton]   15
Photograph, circa 1983, Dr. & Mrs. Harold S. Laird standing along a roadside with scenary in the background [Arizona or New Mexico?]   16
Vaughn, Gerald F., "Harold S. Laird and Wilmington's Faith Theological Seminary," Delaware History, Spring-Summer 2002, pages 49-69.   17

Last update: 17 April 2009 by WTS.