The papers of Fred L. Steen document his career as a minister, his social interests, and his activities. The bulk of the papers concern his lengthy position as pastor of the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Oberlin. Steen's correspondence contains letters from various individuals relating to his involvement with the Progressive National Baptist Convention, various elected officials, and many friends. The materials provide evidence of Steen's commitment to his pastorship at Mount Zion Baptist Church, and his role as a distinguished member of the Oberlin Community.

The Steen collection also provides evidence of his assistance to elected officials both in their campaigns and as an informal advisor of general public policy. Steen's master's thesis and other collected materials provide evidence of his concern for the elderly in America.

His contributions to Oberlin were recognized by his receipt of the College's Distinguished Community Service Award, in 1972, and the efforts of his parishioners and other community members to name a street in Oberlin after him (1992), an honor which he later declined.

Series 1. Biographical, 1925-96, n.d. (0.2 l.f.)

This series contains biographical information relating to Fred Steen and his family. Included are various forms of Steen's vita, information relating to his career as a pastor and community activist, his parents' marriage certificate, and other information relating to his family. Also included are certificates received by Steen and the Mount Zion Baptist Church from various organizations as well as Steen's Doctor of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt University (1974) and his Distinguished Community Service Award (1972).

Series 2. Correspondence, 1956-98, n.d. (0.2 l.f.)

The correspondence series contains mostly incoming letters, gift cards, and postcards relating to both Steen's personal and professional activities. Included are correspondence from Senator Howard M. Metzenbaum from Ohio (1980) eliciting Steen's thoughts regarding public policy, Representative Andrew Young from Ohio (1972) thanking Steen for his assistance in Young's campaign, Rev. Gardner Taylor (1967), Oberlin College President S. Frederick Starr (1987) , Representative Don Pease from Ohio (1989), and Martin Luther King, Jr. (1956). Information is also included here of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers Project at Stanford University (1995) and of Steen's involvement in the Oberlin Civil Service Commission (1974).

Series 3. Sermons and Talks, 1962-96, n.d. (0.05 l.f.)

This series consists of typescript sermons and talks given by Fred Steen and others to various groups of people and is accompanied by a folder of posters and bulletins announcing his talks and sermons. Some notes are also included. Among the typescript sermons and talks are ones entitled "Where on Earth is God" (1962), "Do Your Thing" (1969), and "‘Jubilee Day' Prayer" (1996).

Series 4. Writings, 1957, 1976, 1997, n.d. (0.15 l.f.)

The writings series consists of works that Fred Steen created or collected. Among these are Steen's Oberlin Master's Thesis, The Role of Religion in the Lives of Older People: A Study of Pastoral Care to the Aged (1957), a paper by Teresa E. Snorton entitled "The Black Elderly in America—What Are Their Real Problems?" and miscellaneous writings collected by Steen.

Series 5. Mount Zion Baptist Church, 1967-1997, n.d. (0.2 l.f.)

This series consists of pastorship materials relating to Mount Zion Baptist Church and Fred Steen's involvement with the church. Included are church bulletins, one commemorating the centennial of the church's construction (1986), and directories, that contain photographs of church members. Among the miscellaneous records Steen retained are a Constitution of the Mount Zion Church (n.d.), timelines of church history (1996, n.d.), a church newsletter (1992), and biographical information regarding Howard Thurman, one of Steen's predecessors at Mount Zion. Also included in this series are several booklets commemorating Steen's' 25th, 30th, and 40th anniversary as pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church.

Series 6. Clippings, 1972-95, n.d. (0.2 l.f.)

The clippings series contains numerous newspaper clippings (photocopies and originals) concerning Fred Steen, his family, Howard Thurman (one of Steen's predecessors at Mount Zion Baptist Church), and the proposed renaming of Locust Street to Steen Street, 1992. The renaming file also contains the petition circulated by Steen's parishioners and letters by Steen to the Oberlin City Council and a local newspaper. A folder containing miscellaneous clippings is also included.

Series 7. Photographs, n.d. (0.4 l.f.)

The photographs series consists of numerous photographs of Fred Steen, his family, and many friends and colleagues. Also included is a photographic print block of Steen used in several newspaper articles and a photographic album celebrating Fred Steen's 35th pastoral anniversary in 1987.

The papers of Fred L. Steen were transferred to the Oberlin College Archives in one accession by Emma Steen Hodge on 12 September 2002.

See also Oberlin Community: Miscellaneous Churches (RG 31/4) for additional materials concerning Mt. Zion Baptist Church, and The Howard W. and Sue B. Thurman Papers (RG 30/353).