Dr. James Edward McEldowney, 98, died August 13, 2005. He recently moved to Penney Farms Retirement Community after living in Bradenton, Fla., 29 years.

Dr. McEldowney served as a Methodist missionary to India for 35 years. He was born in South Dakota, and received his B.A. and honorary Doctor of Divinity from Simpson College, Iowa, M.A. and Bachelor of Sacred Theology from Boston University, and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. Jim served in churches in Iowa, Rhode Island, Hyderabad, India, and Virginia. He was Professor of Old Testament and Principal at Leonard Theological College in Jabalpur, India. Dr. McEldowney was a pioneer in audio visual productions, founding CARVAS, Christian Association for Radio and Audio Visual Services, which produced films and trained students in photography, music, writing, broadcasting, and production of audio visual materials. He was Administrative Director of the World Association for Christian Communications headquartered in London before returning to America. He then served as minister at Unionville in Virginia in the 1970s and chaplain at the Shores in Bradenton in the 1980s.

Dr. McEldowney was editor of South Asia's Audio Visual News and contributed to many books and magazines in India, England, and America. His books, God's Presence Among the Aging: a book of meditations (1982,1988) and The Making of a Missionary: the story of my life (1993) have been used for study and devotionals. He wrote stories for his great grand-children, Gateway to India:children's stories (1997). [See a bibliography below.]

Jim married Ruth Calkins in 1933. They had three children, Betty (Mrs. Richard) Conard, Bradenton; Dr. Philip McEldowney, Charlottesville, Va.; Barbara Carroll, Richmond, Va. Jim had eight grandchildren, including Kimberly Greenlaw, Bradenton, and Scott Conard, Dallas, Texas, Timothy McEldowney, Charlottesville, Virginia, Julie Carlson, Jefferson, Iowa, Virginia Fitts, Norfolk, Virginia, Daniel W. Bird, Richmond, Virginia, and James B. Bird, El Paso, Texas, and 18 great-grandchildren. Ruth passed away in 1989. Jim married Jeanne Nave, also a Methodist missionary.

Dr. McEldowney's activities included directing orchestras, bands, and choral groups. He was a founder of the Manatee West Coast Symphony Association, member of Rotary Club and First United Methodist Church.

A memorial service was held August 17, 3p.m., at Penney Farms Retirement Community. Donations in Jim's memory can be made to the Scholarship Fund of Leonard Theological College c/o Jeanne McEldowney, Box 1087, Penney Farms, FL 32979.

See some photos at Philip's Webshots

Return to Gateway to India, children's stories

Back to the top

Webber Philip McEldowney
Last Update - Thursday, 15 September 2005 01:10 PM
Count - 1,465

A bibliography of James E. McEldowney

1932. Tawney's critique of Weber .. James Edward McEldowney. 1, 2, 126 pp. Note(s): Typewritten sheets in cover./ Bibliography: p. 125-126./ Dissertation: Thesis (M.A.)--Boston University, 1932.; Entry: 19811102; Update: 20040107. Thesis/dissertation (deg)Manuscript (mss). English. 7899603.

1943. John Wesley's theology in its historical setting. James Edward McEldowney. 1 v. pp. Note(s): Includes bibliographical references./ Dissertation: Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Divinity School.; Entry: 20000207; Update: 20040425. Thesis/dissertation (deg)Manuscript (mss). English. 43671046.
1944. Photocopy. John Wesley's theology in its historical setting. James Edward McEldowney. 355 leaves. pp. Note(s): Includes bibliographical references (p. 345-355)./ Dissertation: Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, 1944./ Reproduction: Photocopy./ Ann Arbor, MI/ U.M.I.,/ 1998./ 24 cm.; Responsibility: John Edward McEldowney.; Entry: 19981105; Update: 20040101. Wesley, John, 1703-1791 -- Theology Thesis/dissertation (deg)Manuscript (mss). English. 40244622. Call number: LC: BX8495.W5
1979. Microfilm. John Wesley's theology in its historical setting. James Edward McEldowney. 355 leaves. pp. Note(s): Microfilm of Typescript. Chicago : University of Chicago Library, Dept. of Photographic Reproduction, 1979. -- 1 reel ; 35mm./ Includes bibliographical references (leaves 345-355)./ Dissertation: Thesis--University of Chicago.; Responsibility: John Edward McEldowney.; Entry: 19791213; Update: 20020718. Wesley, John, 1703-1791 -- Theology Thesis/dissertation (deg)Manuscript (mss)Microfilm (mfl). English. 5789689.

1945-. Audio Visual News. India: Pakistan, Burma, Christian Council of India. Notes: Journal. Frequency: Quarterly; v; Entry: 20041026; Update: 20041026. Journal. English. 56818306.
1945-. Audio visual news. National Council of Churches in India, National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Division of Foreign Missions and James E. McEldowney. India: National Christian Council of India; Pakistan, Burma, Christian Council of India. v. at Burke Library, Columbia University, [1949-1951, v. 3-5], [1967-1971, v. 20-24].
Notes: Description based on: Vol 8, no. 5 (Apr. 1955); Quarterly. National Christian Council of IndiaNational Council of Churches in India Church work--Audio-visual aids. Journal. English. OCLC: 56818306.

1947. The Good Samaritan. James Edward McEldowney. Jabalpur, India: National Christian Council of India. Notes: Actor: Jabalpur. Motion picture; silent, color film. About 10 minutes in length. Abstract: A story from the New Testament.
Motion picture.

1948. [Motion picture film of the Immersion of Gandhi's ashes in the Narbadda river near Jabalpur]. Filmed by James Edward McEldowney. Jabalpur, India. Motion picture; black and white / color; procession of Gandhi's ashes from the Jabalpur rail station to the river, with Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mr. Shukla of Raipur performing the immersion ceremony. Note: Copy of the film donated to the Madhya Pradeh government for their archives.
Motion picture.

1948?. The Shepherd of India. James Edward McEldowney. Jabalpur, India: National Christian Council and Church of the Brethern in Gujarat. Notes: Last film of a series on Christianity in India in the 1940s. Motion picture. Abstract: Script telling of one of the Gujarat Church of the Brethren remarkable converts who had grown up in their mission, received education, and had given service in the area. Script written by Mrs. Schull.
Motion picture.

1949. The Prodigal Son. James Edward McEldowney. Jabalpur, India: National Christian Council of India. Notes: Actors: Stanley Downs a prodigal; Saroj Macwan as girl during prodigal's riotous living. Motion picture; silent, colorabout 10 minutes in length. Abstract: A story from the New Testament.
Motion picture.

1950. "The Use of Audio-Visuals in the District." James Edward McEldowney, p. 104-110. In Audio Visual Handbook for India edited by Donald F. Ebright. India: National Christian Council of India and Pakistan. Mysore City, India: Wesley Press and Publishing House. 215 pp.
Article

1953?. Zacchaeus : The Transformed Life. James Edward McEldowney. Jabalpur and Bombay, India: National Christian Council of India. Notes: Actors: A. T. Georege of Hyderabad as Zacchaeus; Alexander from Kerala as Christ. Motion picture; feature-length film, black and white, sound. Hindi. Abstract: New Testament story of Zacchaeus.
Motion picture. Hindi.

1955. "You and Your Moving Pictures." James Edward McEldowney, p. 260-269. In Audio Visual Handbook for India edited by Donald F. Ebright. India: National Christian Council of India. Madras, India: Diocesan Press. 335 pp.
Article

1959: Apr. "An Emerging Church Music in India." James E. McEldowney International Review of Missions, 48:190. p. 198-
Notes: Journal. ISSN: 0020-8582.
Article.

1961. The recruitment of the Christian minister: a report of the conference on recruitment held at Leonard Theological College, Jabalpur, M.P., India, January 31 to February 3, 1961. James E. McEldowney and Leonard Theological College, Jabalpur, India.,. [Jabalpur]: pub. by Leonard Theological College and the Board of Theological Education of the National Christian Council of India. Theology--Study and teaching--India Clergy--India Clergy--Appointment, call, and election.

1982. God's presence among the aging: a book of meditations. James E. McEldowney. Bradenton, Fla.: Retirement Corporation of America. Older Christians--English. Call number: BV4580 .M37 1982

1988. God's presence among the aging: fifty-five meditations : a new series dealing with stress. James E. McEldowney. Bradenton, Fla.: Southmark Foundation on Gerontology. Older Christians--English. number: BV4580 .M37 1988

1992. Helping caregivers cope with Alzheimer's : written for the National Foundation on Gerontology. James E. McEldowney. Bradenton, Fl: National Foundation on Gerontology. 16 pp. Notes: Responsibility: by James E. McEldowney.; Entry: 19930311; Update: 20040530. Alzheimer's disease -- Patients -- Care Caregivers. English. 27717717. Call number: LC: RC523; Dewey: 618.976

1993. The making of a missionary : the story of my life James E. McEldowney. Bradenton, Fla. (7307 19th Ave. N.W., Bradenton): J.E. McEldowney. 378 pp. Notes: Responsibility: James E. McEldowney.; Entry: 19940504; Update: 20041223. Missionaries -- India -- Biography McEldowney, James E. English. 30475487. LCCN: 93-91763. Call number: LC: BV3269.M3
1993B. 30535122. Call number: LC: BV3269.M3; Dewey: 266.092

1997. The gateway to India : children's stories. James E. McEldowney. Bradenton, Fla: McEldowney. 114 pp. Notes: Responsibility: James E. McEldowney.; Entry: 19990827; Update: 20050107. Children of missionaries -- Juvenile literature Missionaries McEldowney, James E. -- Childhood and youth -- Juvenile literature McEldowney, James E. -- Childhood and youthI ndia -- Social life and customs -- Juvenile literature India -- Social life and customs Juvenile (no specific ages) (jau). English. 42256507.

Materials which James Edward McEldowney promoted, contributed to, or wrote with others:

1950. The audio-visual handbook for India : a symposium. edited by Donald F. Ebright. Mysore Cite, India: Wesley Press and Pub. House. 215 pp. Entry: 19820526; Update: 20030801. Audio-visual education. Book; WorldCat. English. 8465679. Call number: LC: LB1043 [Back to "District" article citation]

1951?. India, Crucible of Freedom. India: [National Christian Council in India]. Motion picture. Abstract: Chrsitan work in India.
Motion picture.

1955. The audio-visual handbook for India. edited by Donald F. Ebright; introduction by Raja Maharaj Singh, revised edition. Madras, India: Audio-Visual Aids Committee, National Christian Council of India. 335 pp. Note(s): Includes bibliographical references.; Entry: 19991026; Update: 20050110. Audio-visual educationMissions -- Audio-visual aids Missions -- India. Book, Whole. Book; WorldCat. English. 42704343. Call number: LC: LB1043.5 [Back to "Moving Pictures" article citation]

1958. Catalogue of library of film strips, slides, transcriptions & magnetic tapes of the Christian Association for Radio & Audio-Visual Service (CARAVS) : November 1958. Christian Association for Radio and Audio-Visual Service. Jabalpur, India: Christian Association for Radio & Audio-Visual Service (CARAVS). 153 pp. Notes: Note(s): Contains index.; Entry: 19990728; Update: 20040419. Christian Association for Radio and Audio-Visual Service -- Catalogs. English. 41972020. Call number: LC: PN1995.9.R4

1967. Sadhu Sundar Singh apostle of the bleeding feet. Christian Assoc. for Radio and Audio Visual Service. Notes: 58 fr; Named Person: Sundar Singh, 1889-; Geographic: India -- Saints.; Responsibility: Writer of the script, Venu Macwan; artist Frank Wesley.; Entry: 19780921; Update: 20041130. Filmstrip (flm). Visual Material. English. 4242854. Call number: LC: BV5095

1972. Christian saints of India. CARAVS and Inc Intermedia. Caravs of India,; Jabalpur,; 1965.; Edited and released in the U.S. by Intermedia,; 1972. Notes: 4 filmstrips (243 fr.); Named Person: Singh, Sundar, 1889- Tilak, Narayan Vaman, 1862?-1919. Ramabai Sarasvati, Pandita, 1858-1922. Azariah, Vedanayakam Samuel, Bp., 1874-1945.; Note(s): With scripts and guide.; Responsibility: Producer, K. D. Bhasker; writers, Venu Macwan, James McEldowney.; Entry: 19731121; Update: 20010628. Filmstrip (flm). Abstract: Presents biographies of four noted Indian Christian leaders.; Sadhu Sundar Singh. --Bishop Azariah of Dornakal. --Pandita Ramabai. --Narayan Vaman Tilak.
Visual Material; WorldCat. English. 5547193. ISBN/ISSN: LCCN: 73-735809. Call number: LC: BR1155; Dewey: 922

1972. Bishop Azariah of Dornakal. Jabalpur: Caravs of India,; S.l.; Intermedia editor and distributor. Notes: 1 filmstrip (69 fr.); Named Person: Azariah, Vedanayagam Samuel, Bishop, 1874-1945.; Entry: 19930625; Update: 20020517. Filmstrip (flm). Abstract: A short biography of the first Indian bishop in the Anglican Church, Vandanayagam Samuel Azariah, known in India as "The Apostle of Unity.".
Visual Material; WorldCat. English. 28327684.

1972. Sadhu Sundar Singh. Jabalpur: Caravs of India,; S.l.; Intermedia editor and distributor. Notes: 1 filmstrip (58 fr.); Named Person: Singh, Sundar, 1889-; Entry: 19930625; Update: 20000120. Filmstrip (flm). Abstract: A short biography of a Christian known in India as "The Apostle of the Bleeding Feet.".
Visual Material; WorldCat. English. 28327691.

Back to the top