Manuscript Collection #267
Box #377.3

Content Summary: Files collected concerning controversies [1955-1976]; Memorabilia; Personal notes; Home videos [1953-1963].

Access: This collection is open to researchers.

Preferred citation: Laverne Swanson Rayburn Manuscript Collection, PCA Historical Center, St. Louis, Missouri.

Laverne S. Rayburn pictured with her
husband, Dr. Robert G. Rayburn, c. 1988

Biographical sketch:
LaVerne Swanson was born in Big Lake, Washington, on September 16, 1923. She became a Christian as a little girl through the ministry of a local family who ran a Bible club. After she graduated from Sedro Woolley High School in the 1930s, she attended the University of Washington, where she lived in a house for Christian co-eds on the edge of campus. In 1943, she met Robert G. Rayburn, who was traveling through the area playing the piano for the ministry that became known as Young Life. Nine days later, he proposed, and they were married on January 27, 1943. Robert G. Rayburn’s ministry took her to Texas immediately afterwards, where she learned the life of a pastor’s wife. After a few years as a military chaplain (1944-1946), Dr. Rayburn took the pastorate of College Church of Christ in Wheaton, Illinois, before returning to the chaplaincy during the Korean War (1950-1952). The Rayburns moved to Pasadena, California afterwards when Dr. Rayburn became president of Highland College. This lasted until 1956, when controversies in the Bible Presbyterian denomination forced him to leave and ultimately form Covenant College and Covenant Seminary in St. Louis. They lived in St. Louis for the next several decades before Dr. Rayburn’s death in 1990. In 1999, LaVerne moved back to Washington to be nearer to her grandchildren in Tacoma, where she remained until her death on October 1, 2012.

[Much of this material was gleaned from LaVerne’s funeral service: Robert S. Rayburn, “The Funeral Service of Laverne Swanson Rayburn,” Faith Presbyterian Church, October 14, 2012, accessed 10/12/2023. Link includes audio : https://www.faithtacoma.org/funerals/2012-14-12-pm.]

File–Subject
ƒ01—Finding Aid
ƒ02—Controversies, 1955-1957, ACCC, ICCC, and Independent Board for Presbyterian Missions Controversy, Letters and notes
ƒ03—Controversies, 1956-1957, 19th and 20th General Synod BPC Controversy, Letters and Clippings
ƒ04—Controversies, 1976, 39th General Synod BPC, Declarative Statement & Response from Covenant Presbytery
ƒ05—Correspondence, 1955, Excerpt from Buswell to Donald McNair and First Bible Pres. Church
ƒ06—Covenant Seminary, Holograph on Founding of Covenant and Dr. Rayburn’s Resignation from Highland College
ƒ07—Highland College, 1955, Statement of the Board Concerning Dr. Rayburn, Board Meeting Tapes, Student Credits
ƒ08—Horner, Kenneth A., Jr., 1956, “An Analysis of Problems in the Bible Presbyterian Church and Separation Movement”
ƒ09—Memorabilia, 1993-2012, Family Photos, Funeral Bulletins, Olive Branch Presbyterian Church 110th Anniversary Bulletin, St. Louis
ƒ10—Notes, 1969-1990s, Outlines for various WIC talks; Assorted notes on Lectures & Sermons
ƒ11—Notes, undated, two sets of notes for talks: one concerning family, one concerning Psalm 90:12, both holographs
ƒ12—Schuler, Ralph, 1974-1979, Correspondence with Dr. Rayburn
ƒ13—WIC, 1990, Address Welcoming Seminary Women
ƒ14—Home Videos, 1953-1963
ƒ15—Video of Chapel Service Honoring Dr. Rayburn