William Werner papers

Reverend William Werner (1887-1986) emigrated to the United States from Germany in 1913. He graduated from the Seminary of the Deutsche Evangelische Synode von Nord Amerika in 1917. Werner served the Evangelical and Reformed Church in Wyoming, Nebraska, Montana, Idaho, and Colorado over a span of nearly fifty years. During World War II, while he was pastor of St. Pauls Evangelical and Reformed Church in Rupert, Idaho, a prisoner of war camp was established in the area for German and Russian POWs. Werner volunteered his services as chaplain and devoted the years 1945 and 1946 to ministering to the German prisoners.

This collection consists primarily of letters sent to Reverend William Werner from former German prisoners of war at Camp Rupert, Idaho. After the prisoners returned to Germany at the end of World War II, many corresponded with Werner telling of their experiences upon returning to Germany and reminiscing about their life in the camp. The collection also includes prayer books and other miscellaneous materials. The materials are primarily in the German language and have not been translated to English.