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Woman's Union - Meeting Minutes Jan 10, 1922 (Officers Elected)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

The annual meeting of the Woman’s Union was held January 10th, 1922 with Mrs. Paul P. Gaylord, 57 Briarcliff Road.

The meeting was called to order by the president and the Lord’s Prayer recited.

Minutes of the last meeting were read and corrected. The Treasurer’s report showing a balance of $43.35 on January 1st, 1922 was read and accepted.

The music committee reported that the steps were being taken to arrange an organ recital by Mrs. Stanley.

Mrs. Gaylord presented the report the report of the program committee. After discussion the enclosed report was adopted.

The nomination committee presented the following names for the officers for 1922 and they were unanimously elected.

  • President, Mrs. Faulkner
  • Vice-president, Mrs. Gaylord
  • Recording Secretary, Mrs. Greene
  • Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Jones
  • Treasurer, Mrs. Draper
  • Executive Board, Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Perry

On the motion of Mrs. Draper, the Union voted to join the Needle Work Guild by paying 50 cents and pledging itself to supply 22 garments during the year.

It was stated that each hostess provide at the meeting at her home some entertainment to keep us in touch with artistic matters, music, book reviews, reading of any interesting matters.

Elizabeth B. Greene

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 60   Folder: 04
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Woman's Union - Meeting Minutes Jan 11, 1921 (Program for 1921)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Jan 11, 1921

The Woman’s Union of the Liberal Christian Church met at the home of Mrs. Gaylord, 57 Briarcliff Road and enjoyed her delightful hospitality.

The meeting was called to order by President Edwards after which all repeated the Lord’s Prayer.

The minutes of the previous meeting were then read and approved.

This first assembly of the new year was replete with inspiration and good cheer which were crystallized into definite plans for service before the meeting adjourned.

Mrs. Edwards brought us a message of encouragement form Miss Lowell of the National Unitarian Alliance and added a bit of inspiration on her own account.

She said it had been a pleasure to her to act in the capacity of president because of the hearty co-operation of the members of the Union. She noted the fact that ours was the only body of Liberal Christian Women in the city and that, therefore, a great responsibility rested upon on.

The treasurer’s report was then listened to with bated breath and tho almost incredible was accepted by the Union. Were it not that Mrs. Draper’s honesty and veracity are unimpeachable a probe would probably have been ordered to establish the fact that she is not diverting private funds into the Union’s Treasury. (Archivist Note: These playful comments are an indication of the affection that was shared among the women in the Union.))

The report follows:

December balance $290.28
Rec’d from Mrs. Edwards for soap $1.00
Rec’d from Mrs. Perry for silver polish .25
Total $291.53
Disbursement
To Church Treasurer (pledge) $200.00
To Starving Children of Europe $10.00
Total $210.00
Balance, Jan 1, 1921 $81.53

Mrs. Draper reported a letter from Mrs. Watts expressing her interest in the progress of the Union and her desire to continue a contributing number; also a letter from Norcross expressing gratitude for the timely aid rendered the family made destitute by fire.

Dr. Draper made a special mention of Mrs. Greene valuable contributions in this connection.

The secretary read a letter from Miss Atherton of the National Alliance commending the Annual Report of the Union and bidding us go forward.

A letter was also read expressing Mrs. Hamilton Douglas Jr.’s appreciation of the sympathy extended to her by the Union in her recent bereavement.

The nominating committee then reported thru the chairman, Mrs. Toepel, as follows:

  • President – Mrs. W. A. Edwards
  • Vice-president – Mrs. W. A. Neill
  • Recording Secretary – Mrs. J. P Faulkner
  • Corresponding Secretary – Mrs. H. N. Jones
  • Treasurer – Mrs. W. J. Draper

On motion of Mrs. Greene duly seconded and carried, the ticket was unanimously elected.

The report of the program committee was deferred until after lunch which was too tempting to be further delayed.

It is needless to add that all did ample justice to the delicious viands.

After the lunch had been dispatched, the president called the meeting to order to hear the report of the program committee.

Mrs. Greene, the chairman, presented a tentative program which was enthusiastically discussed by the members and the following program was finally agreed upon:

Date Program Hostess
Jan 10 Mrs. Gaylord
Feb 8 Juvenile Court – Mrs. MurrayMusic Drill – Miss Finney Mrs. Smith
Mar 8 Travellers’ AidHome for Crippled Children – Mrs. Draper Mrs. Neill
Apr 12 PrisonsMrs. Edwards
Mrs. Gaylord
Mrs. Greene
Mrs. Edwards
May 10 Home for IncurablesHome for the Friendless Mrs. May
Jun 14 Second Report on the Juvenile CourtMrs. Jones
Mrs. Smith
Mrs. Faulkner
Mrs. Hollingsworth
Mrs. Jones
Jul 12 Out of Doors Mrs. Fisher
Sep 12 Local HistoryMrs. Douglas Mrs. Draper
Oct 11 Report from Department of HealthMrs. Toepel Mrs. Hollingsworth
Nov 8 Sewing for Charity Mrs. Greene
Dec 13 Tuberculosis Association Mrs. Faulkner

The business meeting was then adjourned and we were entertained by Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Gaylord. The first gave us a musical treat and the second reviewed delightfully Reynard, the Fox by Masefield.

Sixteen members were present.

R.G. Faulkner, Secy

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 60   Folder: 03
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Woman's Union - Meeting Minutes Dec 14, 1920 (Financial Rpt/Dues Paid)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Dec 14, 1920

The Woman’s Union held its monthly meeting at the home of Mrs. Greene, 88 Lucile Ave.

After the meeting had been called to order by the president all united in the repeating the Lord’s Prayer.

The minutes of the last meeting were then read and approved.

The treasure submitted the following report which was accepted:

Balance Nov 11, 1920 $75.27
Dues $10.00
Pledges $110.00
Rummage Sale $53.26
Supper $44.75
Total $293.28
Disbursements
Rent for Rummage Room $2.00
Janitor service $1.00
Total $3.00
Balance Dec 1, 1920 $290.28

The question of dues to the Unitarian and Universalist national organizations was re-opened and Mrs. Draper read a letter from Miss Noyes of the Unitarian Alliance (Archivist Note: Lucia Clapp Noyes, treasurer of the National Alliance) showing that one-third of the year’s paid up dues was due that organizations.

This leaves one-third for the Universalist national organization and one-third for the home union.

Mrs. Greene suggested that a constructive program for the year be arranged in advance and Mrs. Keirn advised having a yearbook prepared.

The president Mrs. Greene, Mrs. Keirn and Mrs. Draper a committee to submit a tentative program at the January meeting.

Mrs. Toepel, Mrs. Hollingsworth and Mrs. Perry were appointed a committee on nominations.

The secretary was asked to write a letter to Mrs. Hamilton Douglas, Jr. expressing the sympathy of the Union for her recent bereavement. (Archivist Note: Mrs. Douglas’s mother, Mrs. John W. Johnson died in Miami, Florida in Nov 1920. See Atlanta paper, The Constitution November 15, 1920.  Newspaper clippings not part of the Emory collection. Contact the Archivist for access.)

A motion was passed that the leftover articles of children’s clothing from the rummage sale be sent to a destitute family in Norcross. Several members offered additional articles was furnished by Mrs. Green and Mrs. Smith.

Those present were Mrs. Hollingsworth, Mrs. Draper, Mrs. Toepel, Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Rick, Mrs. Perry, Mrs. Rasnake, Mrs. Keirn, Mrs. Greene, Mrs. Faulkner, Mrs. Gertner, Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Gaylord.

R.G. Faulkner, Recording Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 60   Folder: 03
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Nov 12, 1920 (Social Meeting)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

November 12th, 1920.

At the home of and Mrs. H. C. Blake about twenty young people had a very delightful social gathering.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 19
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Woman's Union - Meeting Minutes Nov 9, 1920 (Annual Supper Prep/Call for Membership)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Nov 9, 1920

The Woman’s Union met at the home of Mrs. Faulkner, 1176 Piedmont Ave.

The meeting was called to order by president Edwards after which the Lord’s Prayer was repeated and the first and third stanzas of “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” were sung.

On motion the resignation of Miss Eugene Estill as secretary of the Union because of absence from the city was accepted with regret.

A motion was carried that Mrs. Faulkner be elected to fill her unexpired term.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

The treasurer reported a balance of $75.27 in the treasury.

In the absence of the corresponding secretary, Mrs. Keirn read a letter from Miss Caroline Atherton, secretary of the National Alliance asking that the Annual report of the Union be sent to the headquarters at Boston. The recording secretary was asked to forward her report.

A discussion followed as to amount of dues which should be sent to the Unitarian and Universalist national organizations, but the matter was deferred pending further investigation.

Mrs. Grey, recently from Columbus, Ohio was welcomed as a new member of the Union.

Plans for the annual supper were then perfected. In the absence of Mrs. Neill, Mrs. Greene was asked to bake beans for the supper and her contribution of $1.00 was returned. Mrs. Grey and Mrs. Stanford each contributed $1.00.

The members were urged to call upon new people in the church and urge them to join the Union.

After the inner woman had been satisfied, the ladies returned to the living room and returned to an illuminating lecture on “The Japanese Arrangement of Flowers” by Mrs. Keirn (Archivist Note: Rev. Keirn had previously served in the Universalist mission in Japan).

The members present were Mesdames Fisher, Rick, Keirn, Douglas, Hollingsworth, Draper, Stanford, Lotspeich, May, Pine, Perry, Rasnake, Grey, Greene, Edwards, Toepel, Hiatt, Gertner and Faulkner. Two visitors Mrs. W.E. Faulkner and Mrs. L. B. Daniel were also present.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 60 Folder: 03
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Woman's Union - Meeting Minutes Oct 10, 1920 (Committees for Annual Supper)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Oct 10, 1920

The Woman’s Union of the Liberal Christian church met at the home of Mrs. Douglas at East Lake. The meeting was called to order by president Edwards. All joined in the Lord’s Prayer and in singing My Country Tis of Thee.

The minutes of the two previous meetings were read and approved.

The treasurer, Mrs. Draper, reported a balance of $18.02

The corresponding secretary, Mrs. Jones, read the annual letter of the president of the National Alliance, Miss Lucy Lowell, setting forth our great opportunities for co-operation and fellowship.

The president then presented for discussion the Annual church supper in November.

Mrs. Edwards read the following committees:

Decoration:
Mrs. White
Mrs. Keirn

Making Dishes & Setting Tables:
Mrs. Jones, Chairman
Mrs. Lotspeich
Maureen Faulkner
Marian Rine (Archivist: Alternate spelling of Rhyne)
Florence Perkins
Gregory Gaylord
Waldo Rasnake
Araminta Edwards

Waiters:
Carol Beauvais
Lucy Rine (Archivist: Alternate spelling of Rhyne)
Augustus Edwards (Archivist Note: This is the architect for the church on W. Peachtree Street)
Mr. Bond
Lenore Lotspeich
Virginia Marker

Making and Serving Coffee:
Mrs. Draper

Baking Beans:
Mrs. Perkins
Mrs. Freeman

Buying and Roasting Meat:
Mrs. Neal

Preparing Mashed Potatoes:
Mrs. Perry
And an assistant

Furnishing and Preparing Cabbage Salad:
Mrs. Faulkner
Mrs. Edwards

Baking Cakes:
Mrs. Osman
Mrs. Meltiru (Archivist: Unsure of spelling)
Mrs. Gaylord
Mrs. Francis
Mrs. Perry

To Furnish Potatoes and Cream
Mrs. Fisher

Children’s Table and Preparing Cocoa
Florence Perkins
Louise Smith
Mae Smith

Contributions in cash for meat, butter, rolls, etc. were called for and met the following generous responses:

Mrs. Douglas, Mrs. Hollingsworth, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Rick, Mrs. Gertner (Archivist: Unsure of spelling), Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Merker, Mrs. Beck, Mrs. Pen, Mrs. Greene and Mrs. Toepel each $1.00.

Mrs. Edwards announced that Mrs. Draper had secured for the agency for selling Xmas cards and novelties, the commission being fifty percent of the sale price. The members agreed to do their utmost to secure a large order.

At this junction the business was temporarily adjourned in order that the members might interview the delicious luncheon awaiting there in the dining room.

Returning to the living room, Mrs. Greene entertained use with stories of Plantation Life in Alabama and Mrs. Pen gave us a brief account of her trip to Europe.

Another brief business session was called.

After attendance was a record one, those present being Mesdames Bangs, Rick, Fisher, Beck, Merker, Hiatt (Archivist: Maybe alternate spelling of Hyatt), Neill (Archivist: Maybe alternate spelling of Neal), Greene, Edwards, Jones, Douglas, Moore, Perry, Freeman, Draper, Spencer, Hollingsworth, Keirn, Pen, Gertner and Faulkner.

R.G. Faulkner,
Secy, pro tem

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 60 Folder: 03
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Oct 3, 1920 (Change Devotional Time)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Sunday October 3, 1921. 6:00 P.M.

(Archivist: the year 1921 is in error. Correct year is 1920)

The meeting was called to order by the President.

Minutes of the last meeting were rend and approved.

After discussing the subject fully it was moved, seconded and carried that the devotional meetings be held at 9:00 A. M. on Sundays, beginning the next Sunday, October 10th, the Secretary promising to send out postal cards, advising all members of the change in time.

There being no further business the meeting then adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

<signed>

Saphronia Durdin
Secretary.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 1
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Woman's Union - Meeting Minutes Sep 9, 1920 (Call for esprit de corps)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Sept 9, 1920

After a brief vacation, the Woman’s Union of the Liberal Christian Church met on Mrs. Edwards’ delightful front porch to discuss plans for the new church year.

The meeting was called to order by president Edwards and prayer was offered by Dr. Keirn.

The treasurer, Mrs. Draper, reported a balance of $14.27 in the treasury. The report was accepted.

Dr. Keirn then addressed the meeting. He urged that all strive earnestly to create in the church an esprit de corps such as we had created among ourselves. To this end, several socials at proper intervals were advised. Special attention should be given the annual meeting in November.

The Union was urged to pay its church pledge by November.

Dr. Keirn concluded by the expressing gratitude for the past help.

After the adjournment of the business session, Mrs. Edwards served refreshments and a social half-hour was enjoyed.

Mrs. Douglas invited the Union to meet with her in October. The ladies decided to bring box lunches and spend the day.

Those present were: Mesdames Neal, Keirn, Draper, Edwards, Greene, Douglas and Faulkner.

R.G. Faulkner,
Secy Pro tem.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 60 Folder: 03
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Sep 6, 1920 (Busy Agenda)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Sunday, September 6, 1920 – 6:00 P. M.

The meeting was called to order by the President.

Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

Dr. Keirn reported that $1.30 had been turned over to him by Miss Dexter, who had moved away from the city and who had therefore resigned as treasurer.

Mrs. Dawsie Howard was elected as treasurer to succeed Dexter.

The president appointed Waldo Rasnake as Onward Supt., Miss Durdin as Devotional Supt. and Mrs. Howard as Legion of the Cross Supt.

The best time for holding Devotional meetings was then discussed, but nothing decided definitely.

There being no further business the meeting then adjourned.

<signed>

Saphronia Durdin
Secretary.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 18
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Woman's Union - Meeting Minutes Jul 20, 1920 (Sale of Articles from Old Universalist Church)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Stone Mountain, July 20, 1920

At the invitation of Mrs. Toepel, the Woman’s Union met at her home near Stone Mountain.

The meeting was called to order by the president and the minutes read and approved.

The president reported that the committee of ladies appointed to see after the articles at the Universalist church had some of the dishes, etc. from the that church, but many things had been taken away by unknown people according to the contractor.

It was decided to have the rummage sale that week if a suitable place could be had. Several members reported that they had sold articles for the rummage fund and had the money. Mrs. Douglas inquired about spraying the church carpet.

It was decided to omit the August meeting of the Union.

Mrs. Gaylord gave a very interesting talk on the birds, telling of their notes and names, showing many pictures of them. So far she had seen 52 near her home in Atlanta.

Several members assisted Mrs. Toepel in opening the lunch boxes brought by the members and soon a feast of good things were spread in the dining room. All said they were hungry and enjoyed not only the lunch, but the coffee prepared by the hostess.

A clear and beautiful view of Stone Mountain was much enjoyed by the visitors as also was the lovely home of Dr. and Mrs. Toepel.

Those present were Mesdames Edwards, Draper, Douglas, Faulkner and her mother Neal, Blackman, Fisher and Toepel, Gaylord, Miss Estill.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 60 Folder: 03
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Jun 27, 1920 (Dues, Adjourn Until Fall)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Sunday, June 27, 6:00 P. M.

The meeting was called to order by the President Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

The Secretary reported that Mr. Green had turned over to the Union from the Get Acquainted Club $3.62.

A collection was then taken to get enough more money to make $5.00 to enable us to pay our pledge to the State Union. More than enough was secured and it was moved, seconded and carried that the $5.00 State pledge be paid.

Dr. Keirn advised that he would not be at the State Convention and stated that he would like for the delegates to report our Union as a small but enthusiastic and helpful Union.

The secretary reported that we had received a bill from the National Union, stating that we were due $12.00 on pledges made to them at the Cleveland Convention and the Ferry Beach Convention. It was decided that we could not do anything at the present time, but the Secretary was instructed to write headquarters that we would clean this up in the fall.

It was moved, seconded and carried that we adjourn until fall.

The secretary was requested to have a dozen topic cards ready for the first Sunday in September.

There being no further business the meeting then adjourned.

Respectfully submit

<signed>

Saphronia Durdin
Secretary.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 18
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Woman's Union - Meeting Minutes Jun 8, 1920 (Universalist Building Sold for $20,000)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

East Lake June 8, 1920

The Woman’s Union meet at the home of Mrs. Beck by her invitation for a business and social meeting.

The members were very happy to have Dr. Keirn with them after his serious accident and he opened the meeting with prayer.

The minutes were read by the recording secretary and approved. The treasurer pro tem, Mrs. Draper said that she had yet received the report from Mrs. Hollingsworth.

Miss Dickinson gave an instructive and interesting talk on the work of the Anti-Tuberculosis Association.

The Union voted to send a representative to the meetings of the Anti-T.A. and to give $5.00 to it. The corresponding secretary was requested to write the association that Mrs. Toepel had been appointed to represent the Union.

Dr. Keirn said that he hoped the church would take up a special collection for the Anti-T. Association.

Dr. Keirn thanked the Union for its letter of sympathy sent him while at the hospital. From a periodical he read an interesting account of Miss Woodis work among the Armenians.

Dr. Keirn told of the fine financial outlook for the future growth of the church. That the Universalist church had been sold for $20,000 which would be invested and give a good income. Also there was income of $85.00 a month form the rent of the apartment.

Dr. Keirn informed the former members of the Universalist women’s organization that they were entitled to the dishes and other articles in the kitchen and that the men of the church would sell the organ, chairs, tables, etc. That no doubt the old board would communicate with the ladies soon. Dr. Keirn said that he would inquire where the other piano was.

He also announced that the corresponding secretary should have received a letter from the board of the Liberal church asking the Union to help them raise the fund in order to get a certain amount from the Boston Association. That the Men’s Club would give $300.00, the Sunday school $75.00 and the club hoped the Union would raise the remainder or more.

The president, Mrs. Edwards, said that the Union would give a supper in the fall to help raise the funds. And the following week it would have rummage sale. She appointed Mrs. Draper and Mrs. Stanford to collect the clothes. Mrs. Toepel was appointed chairman of the sale. Mrs. York and Mrs. Wood were mentioned as possible helpers. Mrs. Edwards said that she and Mrs. Neal would look for a suitable placed to hold the sale. $50.00 was voted as a donation to the fund to be raised by the church.

Mrs. Toepel read an interesting letter from Mrs. Perry concerning the work done in the Universalist church in Washington, DC.

It was decided to have one more meeting during the summer and Mrs. Toepel invited the Union to go to her home near Stone Mountain. It was to be a box lunch. Mrs. Beck served iced-tea and other nice things which together with the contents of the numerous boxes brought by the other members, gave all a feast.

Those present to enjoy the day were: Dr. Keirn and Mesdames Keirn, Edwards, Draper, Jones, Fisher, Neal, Brownell, Stanford, Toepel, Jordan, Beck, Hyatt (Archivist Note: Mrs. Hyatt made appear with an alternate spelling of Hiatt in other meeting notes. Assumed to be the same person) Mrs. Blackman, Rhyne, Miss S.E. Estill, Miss E. Estill and Miss Dickinson the speaker.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 60 Folder: 03
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Jun 6, 1920 (Busy Agenda)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Sunday, June 6, 1920. 6:00 P. M.

The meeting was called to order by the Vice President, Waldo Rasnake, in the absence of the President.

Minutes of the last meeting read and approved.

Edwin Cheek was received in the Union as a new member.

It was moved, seconded and carried that the President, vice President and Secretary be appointed as delegates to the Georgia State Y.P.C.U. Convention.

It was moved seconded and carried that we reconsider the motion made at the last meeting to close the meetings on June 6th.   It was then moved, seconded and carried that we continue to hold meetings during June.

Wald Rasnake agreed to lead the second Sunday, Charlotte Dexter the 3rd and Mr. Edwin Cheek the 4th, the subjects to be “Obedience”, “Home Life’, and “My Part in the Life of the Town, State and Nation”.

There being no further business the meeting then adjourned.

Respectfully submitted.

<signed>

Saphronia Durdin
Secretary.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 17
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Rev. E. J. Bowden

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Pacific Unitarian (1920)

Installations

On April 28th Rev. Hurley Begun was installed as minister of the first parish of Bedford, Mass.

Rev. Minot O. Simons preached the sermon. Rev. John M. Wilson, Rev. Loren B. MacDonald and Rev. B. J. Bowden also took part.

Bedford meeting-house dates back to 1740 and is a fine type of the dignified colonial buildings of the period.

On May 12th Rev. E. J. Bowden was installed at Wilton, N. H., in the morning and at Milford, N. H., in the evening, both of which churches will be under his care. Rev. Paul Revere Frothingham preached the installation sermon, and among others who took part was Rev. Hurley Begun of Bedford. Mr. Bowden made an interesting account of his spiritual pilgrimage.

“I was born in Devonshire, the Granite county of England. My home was under the shadow of the majestic tors of Dartmoor. Like my ancestors of many generations I came from the soil. At the age of 13, I left home to seek my fortune. After a stiff course in the University of Adversity I graduated and entered the Methodist ministry at the age of twenty. But two years of strenuous circuit work broke my health completely and left scant hope of recovery.

“The next ten years were spent in the search for health, often in ways adventurous if not profitable. At last I found the Elixir of Life when cutting cordwood in the forests of the Northern part of Canada.

“With renewed health my thoughts turned again to the ministry, but my freethinking ways stirred up trouble. Finally the Methodist Conference compromised by making me assistant principal of an Indian industrial school. ‘He can’t do the Indians any harm,’ the wise-heads said, little realizing that they were giving me the great chance of my life.

“From Brandon in Manitoba I was sent to take charge of a school on the Cowichan reserve in British Columbia. There I was surgeon, nurse, missionary, and general adviser, as well as teacher.

“In the year 1913 I first came into contact with the more congenial thought of Unitarianism, and found it was my natural element. I went to the Pacific Unitarian school for the ministry, which works in conjunction with the University of California, and, after a four year course of study, took charge of the Unitarian Mission in Victoria, British Columbia. Toward the close of 1919, I left Victoria and came to Boston. I preached my first sermon in Wilton on the first Sunday of 1920, and in February received a hearty call which finds its sequel—also the sequel to my strange pilgrimage, in the happy formalities of this Installation.”

Source:  The Pacific Unitarian found in Google Books  Jun-Jul 1920, Page 156

Universalist Leader (1923)

ATLANTA.– ” Rev. Ernest J. Bowden, pastor. Rev. Bowden, who took charge of the work here in February, was given a call on May 27 to become pastor for one year, and has accepted. The Sunday School is flourishing under the superintendence of Hamilton Douglas and Mr. Knox. An orchestra has been organized by Mr. Bowden to augment the music of Sunday School and young people’s meetings. The Y. P. C. U. meets every Sunday at 6 O’clock, and the meeting is followed by a social hour with light refreshments. A Hikers’ club has been organized among the young people, of which Mr. and Mrs. Bowden are members. The Women’s Union is interested in a movement to improve prison conditions in Atlanta.

Information taken from the UNIVERSALIST LEADER, June 16, 1923 issue
Lyman Ward (of Camp Hill, Alabama) was part of the contributing staff
Southern Superintendent (of churches): Rev. Frances Briton Bishop, Montgomery Alabama
Georgia State Superintendent: Rev. A. G. Strain, Atlanta, Georgia
Kentucky state Superintendent: empty
Texas State Superintendent: Rev R. L Brooks, Elgin, Texas

 

Gravesite reference and obit (1961)

Ernest J. Bowden, distinguished religious news writer of the Post-Standard, died in the Melrae Nursing Home early yesterday after a long illness. He was the dean of religious and service club news writers in the Syracuse area.

Services will be at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Fairchild & Meech Funeral Chapel, 500 W. Onondaga St., with the Rev. Dr. Charles C. Noble, dean of Hendricks Chapel, Syracuse University, officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral chapel from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today. Friends are requested to omit flowers.

Mr. Bowden’s death marked the end of a distinguished specialized newspaper career with the Post Standard.  For 29 years he wrote the popular “Pulpit to Pew” church column in the Post Standard. For more than 20 years he covered the annual Civic Lenten services for this newspaper. During the same span he reported regularly on the weekly luncheons of local service clubs. During a 16 year period from (unreadable) Mr. Bowden wrote extensively about activities at Syracuse University. For five years this newspaper carried a daily signed column by Mr. Bowden reporting on university happenings.

He was born on July 18, 1876 in England. Mr. Bowden was the oldest of six children. His mother died when he was 10. When he was 12 years old he had to leave school to go to work. A year later he left home to fend for himself. He earned his living by working on farms. Studying in his spare time, Mr. Bowden, by the time he was 20 had in his words “won standing as a probationer in the Methodist ministry.” He had “oversight” of five churches and preached seven times a week.

Just as he was nicely embarked on his ministerial career he was beset by an illness which, he said, “unfitted me for public speaking” for the next 15 years. He turned to engineering as a career and was a traveling salesman for a firm of British engineers.  He went to Canada where he married the former Miss Katie Cherdon. She died in Atlanta Ga in 1923. He subsequently married Miss Ramona Baxter.

Original Source : Syracuse Post Standard, Thurs September 7, 1961, page 1

Also see Gravesite reference and obit

Family links:
Spouse: Ramona Baxter Bowden (1895 – 1984)
Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York, USA, Plot: Sect 77 plot 33
Created by: Diane LM, Record added: Dec 02, 2011, Find A Grave Memorial# 81438092

 

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, May 2, 1920 (Busy Agenda)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Sunday, May 2, 1920, 6:00 P.M.

There were present, Miss Bowers, President, who presided, Dr. and Mrs. Keirn, Mrs. Clare, Miss Durdin, Waldo Rasnake and Mr. Green.

Waldo Rasnake reported for the Legion of the Cross that we have fifteen members, eight paid up.

It was reported that we have three Onward subscribers.

The Treasurer’s report was read by letter.

Miss Charlotte Dexter was voted in as a member.

Officers for the year were then elected, as follows:
Lucy Rhyne, President
Waldo Rasnake, Vice President
Saphronia Durdin, Secretary
Charlotte Dexter, Treasurer

It was moved, seconded and carried that we close for the summer vacation on the 1st Sunday in June

There being no further business the meeting then adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

<signed>

Saphronia Durdin
Secretary.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 16 – 17
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Woman's Union - Meeting Minutes Apr 13, 1920 (Multiple Topics Discussed)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

April 13, 1920

The Woman’s Union met at the home of the president and after the Lord’s Prayer was recited the minutes were read and approved. The treasurer reported a balance of $24.80 in the treasury.

The corresponding secretary, Mrs. Jones, read a letter from the Medfield, Mass. church thanking the Union for the donation to its bazaar. The corresponding secretary also reported that a pair of slippers had been sent to the Channing Branch, Dorchester, Mass. She also read a letter from the Baltimore Alliance asking the Union to write them occasionally about our work, also concerning the P.O. mission (Archivist: Post Office Mission).

The president requested Mrs. Jones to write several letters as the other Alliance had asked for the same news.

The treasurer was requested to send the $10.00 promised the Industrial School in Shelter Neck.

After some discussion relative to the dust and general untidiness of the Sunday school and church, the president requested Mrs. Jones to see if she could get an efficient janitor to do the work.

The president announced that in order to raise the $200.00 promised the church fund she would appoint each member of a committee to raise $10.00.

Mrs. Hollingsworth offered to take charge of the support for the Get Together Club on April 25, with Mrs. Gaylord as assistant.

On next Sunday, Mrs. Gaylord would be in charge with Mrs. May as assistant followed by Mrs. Edwards with Mrs. Lotspeich assisting.

Mrs. Fisher invited the members to spend the afternoon with (Archivist Note: There is a blank in original notes here; assumed “her”. Assumption confirmed after reading May meeting minutes.) at the meeting in May. They are to take the 10:27 Stone Mountain car and get out at stop I4/2. The president asked each member to bring a box lunch. The invitation was received with acclimation by the members and Mrs. Jones was asked to write it up for the Church News.

Before the meeting adjourned, the president distributed a number of aprons to be made for the Home for the Friendless.

Those present were: Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Hollingsworth, Miss E. Estill, Mrs. Keirn, Mrs. Lotspeich, Mrs. May, Mrs. Perry, Mrs. Douglas, Mrs. Neal, Mrs. Rick, Mrs. Owen, Mrs. Toepel, Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Gaylord.

After adjournment tea and cakes were enjoyed served by the hostess.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 60 Folder: 03
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Apr 4, 1920 (Devotional Leaders)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Sunday, April 4, 1920, 6:00 P. M.

Roll call showed that there were seven members present.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

In the absence of the Chairman of the Devotional Committee volunteers for leaders for the devotional meetings for the next month were asked for. Miss Durdin volunteered for the 2nd Sunday in April, Miss Bowers for the third, Miss Rhyne for the fourth and Waldo Rasnake for the first Sunday in May.

There being no further business the meeting then adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

<signed>

Saphronia Durdin

Secretary.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 16
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Mar 21, 1920 (Busy Agenda)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Sunday, March 21, 1920, 6:00 P. M.

Roll call showed that there were six members present.

Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

The Secretary read the proposed Constitution which was adopted as read. (See envelope in back of book)

The Secretary was requested to write a letter to the Chairman of the Devotional Committee, requesting that she immediately appoint leaders up to and including the first Sunday in May, beginning the 2nd Sunday in April.

The President requested that someone volunteer to act as Legion of the Cross. Supt. and Waldo Rasnake agreed to act.

Our time being up the meeting then adjourned to meet again on the first Sunday of April.

Respectfully submitted,

<signed>

Saphronia Durdin
Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 16
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Woman's Union - Meeting Minutes Mar 2, 1920 (Multiple Topics Discussed)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

March 2, 1920

The Woman’s Union met at the home of Mrs. Draper at 344 N. Moreland Avenue a week before its usual date as the president would be away on the second Tuesday in the month.

The meeting was opened with the Lord’s Prayer.

Mrs. Draper having taken the minutes of the two last meeting on account of the enforced absence of the recording secretary read an interesting account of them.

Mrs. Edwards told of the prompt replies in money she had received in trying to raise the remainder of the $200.00 promised by the Union to the church fund.

The committees appointed to request the members to each give $3.00 made a fine report and altogether the sum raised exceeded the amount due the church. In more than one response, the givers said that if more was needed to let them know.

The president reported that the Larkin Products from which the Union had hoped to make some money had only give them a little over a dollar above its costs. It had turned out to be a losing venture.

Mrs. Jones, the corresponding secretary, reported that with the consent of the president she had sent a fifty-cent handkerchief to the (Archivist Note: there is a blank in the original meeting notes here.  This may be the Medfield, Mass. church which is mentioned in the Apr 13, 1920 meeting notes.) who had asked a contribution of that article for their bazaar.

Mrs. Jones also read an interesting letter from Mrs. Loyson of Paris, France, thanking the Union for a donation of $5.00 to help the car of poor French children.

Mrs. Draper suggested to the members that the Union could net $2.00 on every ice-bag that it could sell. She had on hand many already to outline the word “ICE” on them if the members would like to do the work while talking. Nearly everyone said “Yes” and soon busy needles finished the work.

Mrs. Freeman donated several beautiful bags to be sold for the benefit of the Union, which she herself had made from very fine tapestry and velvet. They were very much admired and will bring a good price.

Mrs. Edwards, the president, asked the members to assist in the housekeeping part of the Get Together Club by complying with the following program:

One member would take entire charge of preparing chocolate and sandwiches with one other member as her assistant in serving only.

Next Sunday this assistant having learned exactly what to do prepares the refreshments with the other member assisting in serving only.

Beginning the first Sunday in March, the 7th, Mrs. Perry would be in charge and the following members would take their turn: Mrs. Hollingsworth, Faulkner, Brownell, Jones, Edwards, Gaylord, Miss Estill.

The young girls and boys of the church will attend to the dishes.

The president informed the Union that she had received two hundred yards of outing and two-dozen spools of thread from the Home of the Friendless from which to make garments for its inmates. It was sent in response to her message that the Union would sew for the Home if it sent the material.

Mrs. Edwards proposed that the members come to her home and sew the garments. The Union would have a box lunch and the members could sew all day.

This proposal was accepted and this sewing will be done at an early day.

Those present were Mesdames Keirn, Brownell, Edwards, Green, Gaylord, Moore, Perry, Faulkner, Spencer, Freeman, Hollingsworth, Jones, Draper, Miss S.E. Estill and E. Estill.

While the members enjoyed a social half hour, Mrs. Draper assisted by Miss Barnwell served refreshing tea and cake.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 60 Folder: 03
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Feb 2, 1920 (Busy Agenda)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Feb 2, 1920

A meeting of the Y.P.C.U. was held Sunday, Feb 2, 1920 at 6:00 pm.

The President called the meeting to order.

There were present: Esther Bowers, Dr. Keirn, Mrs. Cagle, Mrs. Clare, Waldo Rasnake, Lucy and Marian Rhyne and Saphronia Durdin.

The Secretary read the minutes of the last two business meetings which were approved.

The Treasurer’s report was read by the secretary, showing that $9.95 had been collected, $1.60 paid to the secretary on $5.00 paid out by her for entertainment of Rev. Stanley Manning, and 25 cents to Hetta Rowlett for refreshments leaving a balance of $8.10.

Bills and dues reported as follows:

Due Mr. Green $1.30
Balance due Miss Durbin $3.40
State dues $1.60
National dues $1.60
Pledge to State Union $5.00

It was moved, seconded and carried that Mr. Green and Miss Durbin be paid, also that State and National dues, leaving a balance in the treasury of 20 cents.

Miss Lucy Rhyne was then unanimously elected Treasurer in the place of Mary Davis, who had moved away from the City.

In the absence of the Legion of the Cross Superintendent, the President gave a report of the Drive, stating that the Atlanta Union had secured the quota allotted them of 15 members.

The secretary reported having received a copy of the proposed Constitution and the By-laws, for the consideration of the Union, but on account of limited time, it was decided to take this up a later date.

Our time being up, the meeting then adjourned to meet again next Sunday at 6:00 pm.

<signed>

Saphronia Durdin
Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 14 – 15
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Jan 11, 1920 (Busy Agenda)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Jan 11, 1920

On Sunday Jan 11, 1920, a short business meeting was held at the regular hour of the devotional services.

The President, Miss Bowers, called the meeting to order.

The first subject discussed was “Leaders for the devotional services on Jan 18 and 25,” as there has not been appointed by the Devotional Committee. Miss Bowers agreed to lead on the 18th and Miss Rhyne on the 25th.

The subject of the Young People’s Week was then discussed and it was decided to observe his as nearly as possible according to the plans formulated by the National Union.

The President then appointed Miss Rhyne, Mrs. Clare and Waldo Rasnake as a committee to work up plans for the week and especially endeavor to secure as many young people to attend services on Sunday Jan 25 as possible.

It was moved, seconded and carried that Dr. Keirn be requested to ask the Board of Trustees of the Church to let the offering not in the envelopes on Young People’s Day go the work of the Union.

The Question of Topics for February was discussed and it was decided to use the regular topics for February which would necessitate holding a mission study class instead of the regular devotional topics. Dr. Keirn very kindly offered to conduct this class if we could have least ten in the class and the secretary was instructed to write to the Universalist Publishing House and secure ten copies of the book “Ministers of Mercy” to be used in connection with the class.

Dr. Keirn requested Miss Bowers and Miss Durdin to see all of the members of the Union and secure as many members for the Mission study class as possible.

There being no further business, the meeting then adjourned.

<signed>

Saphronia Durdin
Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 12 – 13
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Woman's Union - Meeting Minutes Dec 2, 1919 (Children's Christmas Preparation)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

December 2, 1919

The Woman’s Union met at the home of Mrs. Hamilton Douglas on the above date, the vice-president, Mrs. W.A. Edwards presiding.

After repeating the Lord’s Prayer, the minutes for the October meeting were read and approved. On account of the absence of both the president and vice-president no business was transacted when a few members met at Mrs. Edwards despite the rain.

Those present at the December meeting were Mrs. Keirn, Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. Faulkner, Mrs. Draper, Mrs. Hollingsworth, Miss S.E. Estill, Miss E. Estill.

Mrs. Edwards said she had received a letter from Mrs. Perry in which she spoke of attending the Universalist church and the work of that church. She asked to be informed when our bazaar would be held, as she wanted to donate some articles.

Mrs. Lewis, vice-president of the Alliance for the Southern States wrote a letter asking for a report from the Union. It was to be sent before December the first, but as the vice-president (was away in November) the letter was not read until this date.

However the recording secretary said that she could send the send the one that had been read before the annual meeting of the church in November. This the vice-president said she might do. It was mailed to Mrs. Lewis the next day.

The Christmas Tree for the Sunday school was discussed, Mrs. Edwards informing the members that the Sunday school would take charge of the tree and presents for it, though any one not in the Sunday school could donate articles or money also.

It was decided to ask each woman member of the church to furnish a substantial sandwich made from one loaf of bread and cheese or meat. Mrs. Draper would take charge of the tea and coffee and Mrs. Edwards the chocolate for the Kindergarten, and the other young children. Mrs. Faulkner would see to the table of the Kindergarten children.

Mrs. White would be asked to see to the decorations of the assembly room. Tuesday evening, Dec. thirty was decided upon for this event.

After the business was finished, Mrs. Rose in the absence of her mother entertained the members with tea and cakes, which were much enjoyed.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 60 Folder: 03
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

American Unitarian Association Sells Lot of Second Atlanta Unitarian Church

1 January 2014 at 00:00

American Unitarian Association Director’s Meeting

The regular monthly meeting of the board of directors of the American Unitarian Association was held at 25 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass, on Wednesday, November 12, 1919, at 2 PM. Present: Messrs. Bates, Carr, Carruth, Cornish, Eliot, Park, Robertson, Simons, Williams, Mrs. Dewey, and Miss Lowell.

Archivist: Omitted Treasury report.

Upon the recommendation of the finance committee the following votes were adopted :

Voted, That the American Unitarian Association sell the real estate in Atlanta, Ga., fronting on Cain and Spring Streets, now owned by it, and that the treasurer, Henry M. Williams, be and hereby is authorized on behalf of the Association to execute and affix the corporate seal, to acknowledge and deliver a deed of said land, and to do any and all other things necessary to make the purposes of this vote effective.

Archivist: Omitted other votes taken in this meeting.

Source: The Christian Register found in Google Books, Vol. 98 Nov. 27, 1919, Page: 21 (1149)

 

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Nov 22, 1919 (Constitution, Dues)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Nov 22, 1919

Minutes of Business Meeting Nov 22, 1919.

Meeting was held at 4:00pm. There were five present.

The meeting was called to order by the president Esther Bowers.

The secretary read the minutes of the last meeting, where were approved.

The question of the Constitution & By-laws was discussed and the secretary was instructed to secure a form from the national office.

Dues for the year, pledges, etc. were discussed and a Committee consisting of Saphronia Durbin, Chairman, Mary Davis, Johnnie Rowlett and Mrs. Green was appointed to devise ways and means of raising money.

There being no further business the meeting then adjourned

<signed>

S.A. Durbin
Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 11 – 12
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Review of Unitarian Church Expansion in the South

1 January 2014 at 00:00

The Southern Field

THE COURTESY OF THE EDITOR of THE CHRISTIAN REGISTER permits me to set before the readers of THE REGISTER in a series of brief articles some of the needs and opportunities of our Unitarian work in this year of reconstruction and new advance. I shall hope to take up in succession the different fields of service in which the Unitarian churches operate through their representative organization, the American Unitarian Association. Let me begin with some observations upon the work of the Department of Church Extension, now under the able and alert guidance of Rev. Minot Simons. I devote this article to a consideration of our plans and hopes in the Southern field.

Before the Civil War there were a number of fairly prosperous Unitarian churches in the Southern States. The members of these churches were, however, generally anti-slavery in their sympathies, and only the churches in Louisville, Ky., Charleston, S.C., and New Orleans, La., survived the war.

No efforts toward church extension were made in the South for nearly twenty years. Then the Association commissioned Rev. George L. Chaney as its superintendent in the Southern States. The church in Atlanta was planted in 1883, Chattanooga followed in 1889, Richmond and San Antonio in 1893, Dallas in 1899, and so on.

In 1916 four new societies were organized, but they are as yet without depth or strength of root. There are now some twenty-seven organized Unitarian churches in the Southern States, but only four of them, those at Louisville, Ky., New Orleans, La., Dallas, Tex., and Chattanooga, Tenn., are entirely self-reliant. The beautiful old church in Charleston, S.C., is also self-supporting, but it enjoys the income of a considerable endowment. All the other churches are more or less dependent on the aid of the sister churches through the American Unitarian Association.

Six of these aided churches are small but very interesting enterprises in the country circuits in Eastern North Carolina and in Western Florida where ministers are maintained by the joint support of the Association and The Alliance. The churches in Richmond and Highland Springs, Va., Atlanta, Jacksonville and Orlando, Fla., Oklahoma, Ok., have church plants varying from the bountiful church at Atlanta, the appropriate and convenient. buildings at Jacksonville and Orlando, Richmond, and Highland Springs, to the little brick octagon at Oklahoma City. The society in Houston, Tex., has a made over dwelling house for a church plant, but the society in San Antonio has to meet in a hotel parlor, that in Memphis in a movie-theatre, and that in Nashville in a lodge room. All are cramped and limited in their enterprises by poverty.

The self-supporting churches all have good plants varying again from the noble building at Louisville and the lovely church at Charleston to the rather ugly but adequate buildings at Dallas and Chattanooga.

All, too, have able and vigorous ministers: Akin at Louisville, Gray at Charleston, Kent at New Orleans, Taylor at Chattanooga, Gilmour at Dallas.

In the aided churches, Atlanta enjoys the leadership of a well-tried veteran, Dr. Keirn. Richmond and Highland Springs rejoice in the service of Rev. Frank Wright Pratt. San Antonio is enthusiastically led by Rev. Arthur Schocnfeldt. Birmingham is in charge of Rev. Thomas P. Byrnes, who may, however, soon be transferred to Houston. Rev. George II. Badger is doing admirable work at Orlando, Rev. George R. Spurr at Nashville, and Rev. V. E. Clark at Memphis. Rev. J. H. Seaton faithfully serves the little group at Roanoke, Va.

Arrangements are now in progress for the adequate supply during the winter of the church in Jacksonville, but Oklahoma, Okla., Lynchburg and Norfolk, Va., Charleston, W. Va., and Austin, Tex., are without ministers. Little Rock, Ark., Knoxville, Tenn., and Tampa, Fla. are waiting fields ready for the seed-sower. The list of waiting opportunities might, indeed, be indefinitely prolonged, but in each of these places the preliminary work has been done and the ground broken.

I. The first duty of Unitarians is to give loyal and generous support to the ministers that are now or soon will be bravely at work at Atlanta, at Jacksonville and Orlando, at Memphis and Nashville, at San Antonio and Houston, and in the country circuits. The Association has pledged sums which in the current fiscal year amount to some $6,000 for the support of these causes, and this must be regarded as the first and imperative obligation of our churches.

II. Next should come the dispatch of adequate leaders to the waiting fields. Charleston, W. Va., Oklahoma, Okla., Austin, Tx., and Little Rock, Ark., are state capitals and the centres of life of growing commonwealths. Norfolk, Va., is the chief port of the Southern Atlantic Seaboard. Lynchburg, Va., is a bustling industrial and manufacturing city. Little Rock, Ark., Austin, Tex., and Knoxville, Tenn., arc the seats of state universities. Those are surely inviting and compelling centres of influence. The}? need the presence and the leadership of ministers of insight and foresight. A minister cannot live and do his work freely on a salary less than $2,000. Something must also be supplied for travel expense and for the necessary publicity work. In each of the eight places mentioned above the local societies can do something, but the Unitarian fellowship must provide at least $10,000 for the salaries and expenses of the ministers at these important centres. It may be that the Department of Church Extension cannot at once discover competent men for those missionary adventures. Let us, therefore, say in the present fiscal year that $8,000 is needed.

III. Next comes the provision of adequate church plants. Meeting in picture-theatres or in hotel parlors will do for a time, but cannot be regarded as permanently desirable. The building of churches in these large cities is obviously expensive, but the situation is urgent. How much do the Unitarians of the North believe in their cause? Who will come forward to help build attractive and convenient churches in such centres as Nashville and San Antonio, and later modest chapels at Lynchburg and Charleston, W. Va.? At San Antonio the Association has acquired an admirable lot of land; $20,000 will build the needed church. A campaign for raising the necessary fund is already started at San Antonio, but the local resources cannot suffice. Nashville is a still larger venture. It can hardly be expected that a lot can be bought and a church built for less than from $40,000 to $50,000. Nashville is the capital of a great State and an educational centre of great importance. At Lynchburg and at Charleston the Association already owns well-situated lots, and as soon as ministers can be provided for these cities our churches-at-large ought to provide $10,000 for the building of chapels wherein these ministers can hold their services and do their work.

IV. Next should come the provision of decent living quarters for the ministers. Just at present the housing conditions are exceedingly serious, and always a church is strengthened by having a parsonage. There is room on the lot at Jacksonville for the building of a good dwelling-house and it can be done for some Shasta). The cause at Orlando would be very much stabilized if a parsonage could be built or bought for say $8,000.

V. Finally, provision should be made for constant supervision and frequent visits from leaders of our cause. The Southern field is now divided into three superintendencies, each cared for by one of the settled ministers, who adds to his home duties the general responsibility for the churches and missions in his fir-ld. Mr. Gray of Charleston cares for the Southeastern Southern States. Mr. Spurr of Nashville for the Central Southern States, and Mr. Schoenfeldt of San Antonio for the Southwestern district. It ought to be possible to supplement the exertions of these ministers by visits of Northern ministers. This can be done during the coming year at an expense not to exceed $1,000.

Summarizing, then, our cause in the South needs prompt financial support as follows:

For the support of the ministers now on the field: $6,000
Immediate and urgent.
For the employment of five additional ministers: $10,000
For church buildings at San Antonio and Nashville: $60,000
For parsonages at Jacksonville and Orlando: $18,000
For the expense of traveling ministers: $1,000

For these sums the Directors of the Association must look to the people of the Unitarian churches who have the discernment to know that the diffusion of the Unitarian habit of mind and the preaching of the gospel of a free, rational, and reverent religion is the very best contribution they can make to the welfare of the country.

Samuel A. Eliot

Source: The Christian Register found in Google Books, Vol. 98, Nov. 1, 1919, Page: 7 – 8 (1087 – 1088)

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Oct 19, 1919 (Committees Appointed)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Oct 19, 1919

Sunday Oct 19, 1919 the following Committees and superintendents wee appointed by the President:

Devotional Committee: Mrs. Cagle, Mrs. Clare, Miss Johnnie Rowlett
Lookout Committee: Mary Davis, Mrs. Keirn, Shirley Hiatt and Waldo Rasnake
Onward Superintendent: Jesse Hiatt
Legion of the Cross Superintendent: Hetta Rowlett
??? of the ??? Hour: Lucy Rhyne

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 11
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Woman's Union - Meeting Minutes Oct 14, 1919 (Several Topics Discussed)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

October 14, 1919

The meeting was held at the parsonage and was called to order by the vice-president, Mrs. W. A. Edwards in the absence of the president.

After prayer Dr. Keirn the minutes were read and approved. The treasurer reported a balance of $53.6 after paying the month’s bills.

Dr. Keirn said that the letter drive for membership to the Union was all right but that it should followed up by personal work to the end. He requested full reports from all sources at the annual meeting on Friday night November fourteenth. He suggested that the Union give a supper on that night at seven o’clock. Also that the young people of his bible class be asked to wait on the tables and thus relieve those members of the Union who had been busy all the afternoon preparing for supper. Carried.

The vice-president appointed the following committees for this supper: Mrs. Jones, chairman, Mrs. Douglas and Mrs. Draper, supper. Mrs. Edwards, Miss Edwards, Miss S.E. Estill and Miss E. Estill dishes and table. Mrs. White, flowers.

It was decided to have the Larkin Products now at Mrs. Rowlett’s brought to the church or parsonage as it would then be more convenient for the members to buy what they wanted. Mrs. Hollingsworth would take charge of the funds raised by these sales.

The corresponding secretary read a letter from the secretary of the Helping Hand society of the Unitarian church of Charleston, S.C. asking that a delegate be sent to the Southern Conference to be held there October 19 to 21. Also that a report from the Union be sent. Mrs. Edwards said that she had intended going but illness would prevent her doing so now. She requested the Recording Secretary to send the report, also a check of three cents per capita of the members as the Union’s dues to the Conference.

The vice-president announced that Miss Lucy Lowell, president of the National Alliance of Unitarian and other Liberal Christian churches, would be the guest of the Woman’s union on Thursday, October twenty-third. That she would secure a room for her at the Georgian Terrance as she would arrive about midnight and besides she thought Miss Lowell would prefer being at a hotel instead of a private house.

A discussion followed as to what should be done to entertain her. Mrs. Douglas said she would take her to ride in her automobile and Mrs. White said she would entertain Miss Lowell and the members of the Union at a one o’clock lunch at her home at Ridley Court. Mrs. White was heartily thanked by the vice-president and members and all present said they would be present. Notice of the lunch to Miss Lowell would be sent to those absent.

The members present were: Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. Hollingsworth, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Douglas, Mrs. White, Mrs. Draper, Miss S.E. Estill, Mrs. Moore, Miss E. Estill.

After the meeting, our hostess, Mrs. Keirn served refreshments which was much enjoyed. A pleasant half hour was then spent in admiring the numerous Japanese curiosities owned by Mrs. Keirn. (Archivist Note: Rev. Dr. Keirn had long served in a mission position in Japan.)

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 60 Folder: 03
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Oct 12, 1919 (Officers Elected)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Oct 12, 1919

Minutes of the Business Meeting of the Y.P.C.U. on Sunday Oct 12, 1919.

A meeting was held for the purpose of electing new officers for the year Oct 1919 – 1920.

In the absence of the president, Miss Johnnie Rowlett, the V. President, Miss Durdin, called the meeting to order and requested Lucy Rhyne to act a Secty.

The following officers were elected:

Esther Bowers – President
Shirley Hiatt – Vice-President
Saphronia Durdin – Secretary
Mary Davis – Treasurer

There being no further business, the meeting then adjourned.

<signed>

Lucy Rhyne
Acting Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 10
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Rev. William Roswell Cole (1865-1919) Obituary - Oct 2, 1919

1 January 2014 at 00:00

The Christian Register
William Roswell Cole

Rev. William Roswell Cole died suddenly in Cohasset, Mass, August 21, in the fifty-fifth year of his life, the twenty, third year of his ministry in the historic First Parish and town of Cohasset. Mr. Cole was born In Baltimore, Md. the son of William R. and Maria E.(Muncks) Cole, February 14, 1865. His grandfather William Parker Cole, a native of Watertown, Mass. had been one of the founders of the Baltimore Unitarian Society. Here under the quickening ministry of Dr. Charles R- Weld, the boy grew to manhood In the simple beautiful faith to the later ministry of which the discerning preacher led this fine spirit, as to the natural life-employment of his best talents.

Educated at Loyola College Marsden’s School, and John Hopkins University (from which he was graduated in 1887). Mr. Cole at once entered the Harvard Divinity School, receiving the S.T.B. degree in 1890. Dr. Everett’s teaching and friendship, especially, left an indelible impression on the young ministers’s heart and thought.

In 1891 Mr. Cole succeeded Rev. George L. Chaney as minister of the young Unitarian society in Atlanta, Ga. Here he collaborated with Mr. Chaney in the publication of the bright little Southern Unitarian during the three years of its existence.

On July 18, 1895, at Atlanta, he married Leonore, daughter of the late Theodor and Edwine Schumann of Atlanta, and that year resigned his pastorate in Atlanta. Mrs. Cole, who with a daughter and two sons survives him, has been a faithful and enthusiastic coworker with her husband in all his labors.

In 1896 Mr. Cole came to Cohasset, as associate pastor with Joseph Osgood, D.D. In 1898 “Father” Osgood died, after a pastorate of fifty-four years. full of honor and good works. From that year until his sudden death, Mr, Cole has given his productive energy wholly to the church and town, each passing year deepening his hold and widening the scope of his labors. He has been continuously a trustee of the Derby Academy in Hingham end of the Public Library in Cohasset. He was active in the Cohasset Improvement Association, the No-License League, etc., and a chief mover in the formation of the successful Cohasset Men’s Club. As secretary of the Plymouth and Bay Conference for sixteen years (being vice. president during the last few years) his was the duty of maintaining the practical well-being of the Conference. Thanks to him the meetings have been largely helpful and inspiring, year after year. With thoroughgoing patriotism, though deeply opposed to the Idea of war, he has done his best to serve his country during the war. He enlisted early in the State Guard, and worked unceasingly as treasurer of the local Red Cross, and in other ways, to aid our cause.

Unswerving fidelity to what is true and right was his sterling quality. He was gentle, even diffident, given to self-disparagement because of the fineness of his idealism. He was not reticent in his stand for honor, fair play, justice. He did not trick himself, having the clear sight of perfect honesty; but others often failed to understand, who knew not the intensive fruitfulness of his ministry, how strong a direct influence he was in the lives of men, of women, above all, of young people, for all things, good and clean and sweet and high. His was a placid tenacity of earnest affection, which followed through. His friendships were genuine never retracted. To the friend, to the needy, the weak, he was ready to give all, at any time. He did not compromise. Yet, so unpretentious was he, that many were astonished on summing the account after he was gone.

Things beautiful he loved – good reading, flowers, birds, trees. His “bird walks” were delightful to the friends who went with him. A talent for painting he took time to practice in the last few years with marked success. Golf he enjoyed greatly, both the contest of the game and tramping the long green course.

In all, he was a very loyal gentleman, with much of that spiritual gentleness which is strength and healing. “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings that publisheth peace.”

Source:  The Christian Registry found in Google Books , Vol. 98, October 2, 1919, Page 954

Woman's Union - Meeting Minutes Sep 16, 1919 (Response to Circular Letters)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

September 16, 1919

The meeting was held in the Sunday school room and opened with prayer by Dr. Keirn.

Mrs. Perry called the meeting to order and the minutes were read and adopted after one addition.

The treasurer reported $2.84 brought forward from the summer meetings. $4.50 from Silver Polish (Archivist Note: This silver polish may be part of the Larkin Products being sold. See comments on Larkin Products below), $5.00 from the sale of a spread, and $13.00 from dues received from those to whom letters were sent. An additional $5.00 was handed in as dues, making the total now in the treasury $31.34.

Dr. Keirn thanked those present who had so promptly responded to the circular letter asking that they pay their dues.

Dr. Keirn advised the appointment of a committee to get new members. So far one new member had joined, Mrs. May. Others were expected later. He thought the outlook encouraging and said means should at once be provided for raising more funds.

The president reported that Mrs. Rowlett now had at her home the Larkin Products and hoped the members would buy from this source. She said that she had herself much of the silver polish and stain remover. Some members reported selling some and would take more.

Mrs. Perry proposed that in order to raise funds a supper and also an auction sale be held with articles later to be donated and a charge of 35 cents be asked for the supper. Carried.

Friday, Sept. 26 was the date decided upon.

Donations for the supper on Sunday, Sept 21st at the church after the DRIVE were requested. A generous response of money, tea, sugar, coffee, sandwiches and cakes were made by those present. It was expected that the absent members would also donate something.

Those present were Dr. and Mrs. Keirn, Mrs. Perry, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Hollingsworth, Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Neil, Mrs. Ryan, Mrs. Douglas, Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Sanford, Miss Lynch, Miss S.E. Estill and Miss E. Estill.

Refreshments were served and a pleasant social time was had.

During the meeting the president remarked that she would be leaving Atlanta within a few weeks to be gone all winter. This we heard with much regret by the members. (Archivist Note: A letter from Mrs. Perry is read at the Dec 2, 1919 meeting indicating that she is in Washington, DC).

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 60 Folder: 03
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Woman's Union - Meeting Minutes Aug 19, 1919 (Circular Letters)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga., August 19, 1919

The meeting was held at the pastor’s residence next to the church. The president, vice-president, secretary, corresponding secretary, pro tem, and treasurer were present besides Dr. and Mrs. Keirn and Miss S.E. Estill.

The meeting was held in order to have the executive board know the contents of the circular to be sent out to obtain members for the Women’s Union. The president read the circular letter (Archivist Note: No letter has been found in the archives) which was to be sent to all women of the congregation and its friends who might possibly join.

As the circular was not adapted to meet the requirements of an appeal for dues form those already members, Dr. Keirn suggested that another circular be composed for that purpose. He at once composed such a letter and it was decided to send it out to members in arrears. Mrs. Perry said that she thought Miss Lynch would type-write the letters and envelopes for the Union.

Many plans were discussed to raise funds to help the church, but it was decided to wait until it could be seen who would join the Union before naming the committee.

Dr. Keirn announced that the Men’s Club of the church would make a drive for funds for the church in Atlanta on a Sunday afternoon in the fall. He wanted to know if the ladies would serve tea and sandwiches to the men and friends of the church on their return to the church about seven o’clock. They readily responded and at the regular meeting in September, plans will be made for such an event.

Adjourned.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 60 Folder: 03
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Woman's Union - Meeting Minutes July 8, 1919 (Solicit Membership)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

July 8, 1919

The meeting was opened with prayer by Dr. Keirn after which the minutes were read and approved. The treasurer reported a few dollars in the treasury.

The president proposed a plan discussed at a previous meeting to divide the members according to their homes in Atlanta – that is those living near each (to) form committees, each committee to furnish an entertainment or have a sale to raise funds for the Union.

Moved and carried that circular letters be sent to each member of the church inviting them to join the Union both Unitarian and Universalist organizations. Also another circular letter inviting every member of the congregation to join the Union. Motto to be: Every member of the congregation a member of the Union.

It was moved and carried that the president have a call(ed) meeting of the executive committee and make out a list of those members who they think would help with the plans to raise funds now under consideration.

Mrs. Hanson Jones said as she was leaving the next day on her vacation, she would like a corresponding secretary appointed until her return and Mrs. Draper consented to take her place.

Those present were: Mrs. V. Perry, president; Miss E. Estill, recording secretary; Mrs. H.W. Hanson, corresponding secretary, Mrs. J.V. Hollingsworth, Treasurer; and Mrs. Keirn, Miss S.E. Estill, Mrs. W.J. Draper.

Adjourned to meet at the call of the president.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 60 Folder: 03
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Woman's Union - Meeting Minutes Jun 10, 1919 (Finance and Fund Raising)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Minutes of The Woman’s Union
East Lake
June 10, 1919

By invitation of Mrs. Beck the Woman’s Union met at her home, spending there a very pleasant afternoon.

The minutes were read by the secretary and approved. The treasurer, Mrs. J.V. Hollingsworth reported $6.38 in treasury after paying several bills – Larkin Products, cleaning church, dues to National Unitarian Assoc. and $35.00 to the church expenses, the latter being a part of the money promised – $200.00.

$2.90 was made at the supper.

The president, Mrs. Perry, sold to the members several packages of the Larkin products. She also showed them the beautiful stripe of wide crochet and asked about selling it for a sideboard cover. It was decided to sell it.

After some discussion it was decided to get the names of all the women of the church and form them into circles for raising money for the Union to assist the church.

It was also decided that the treasurer get a list of the women members of the congregation and with the assistance of the recording and the corresponding secretary send a notice to each asking her to remit her dues for 1919.

The meeting closed with ice cream and cake being served by the hostess which was very much enjoyed.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 60 Folder: 03
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, May 24, 1919 (Now Liberal Christian Church)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

May 24, 1919

The Y.P.C.U. of the Liberal Christian Church met in the Sunday School room of the Church on May 24, 1919.

In the absence of the President and V. President, Dr. Keirn was appointed chairman and Miss Durdin as acting Secretary, the regular secretary also being absent.

Lucy Rhyne of the Devotional Committee announced that Araminta Edwards was to be Leader at the Devotional meeting on Sunday May 25. Esther Bowers was appointed as Leader for June 1, Saphronia Durdin for June 8 and Florence Perkins June 15.

Clayton Rhyne was elected Onward Superintendent.

Mrs. Cagle, Mary Davis and Florence Perkins were elected as a Membership Committee.

Esther Bowers reported on the Legion of the Cross work that we have nine members from the Atlanta Union, making a total of 64 for the State.

There being no further business the meeting then adjourned.

<signed>

Saphronia Durdin
Acting Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 9 – 10
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Archivist Note: There is a five-month gap in meeting minutes. The last meeting minutes of Nov 15, 1918 are recorded on page 9 of the meeting notebook. The entry of May 25, 1919 is recorded at the bottom of page 9 and continues on page 10.

In this meeting minute it is announced that group is now known as the “Y.P.C.U. of the Liberal Christian Church.” The Y.P.C.U. was originally organized at the First Universalist Church.

Atlanta Unitarians and Universalists temporarily merged in Feb 1918. The merger, however, continued until the early 1950’s when the joint Unitarian and Universalist congregation failed, vacated the 301 West Peachtree church (later re-numbered to 669 West Peachtree) building and disbanded.

In July 1918, the merged church adopted the name Liberal Christian Church. It is assumed that this May 1919 meeting is taking place in the Unitarian Church on West Peachtree Street. Dr. Rev. Keirn was the minister of this combined church.

Also, it “appears” that meetings of the Y.P.C.U. had continued since the previous meeting recorded in November 1918. That is, there is no mention in the May 1919 entry of the group “resuming meeting.” Also, the meeting appears to have a “business as usual” representation with the appointing of Devotional Leaders and other comments of operational activities. The physical archives do not contain any other documentation on meetings that may have been held between Nov 1918 and May 1919.

Woman's Union - Meeting Minutes May 11, 1920 (Universalist Church Building Sold)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

May 11, 1920

By a cordial invitation from Mrs. Fisher, the Woman’s Union met at her home. It was a fine day and a sociable number left Atlanta at 10:30 and on leaving the Stone Mountain car ascended the hills to Dr. and Mrs. Fisher’s pretty home.

Mrs. Fisher assisted by several of the members undid the numerous packages and boxes for lunch amid many exclamation at the pretty the flower decked table made with its abundant portions of substantials (Archivist Note: correct spelling from original meeting notes), fruit and cakes to which were added good coffee, sweet cream and butter from Fisher’s dairy. Mrs. Draper took a snap-shot at this display.

After an hour spent on the porch talking many having brought some fancy work, lunch was served to those preferring to remain in the open and enjoy their lunch.

A walk over the farm to admire the growing crops, fruit and chickens and take Mr. Fisher with his plow and mule followed. Several group of members were also taken.

On returning to the house a short business session was held on the veranda.

The Recording Secretary read the minutes of the last meeting which were approved.

The treasurer (Archivist: large blank space left in original notes, assumed so notes on treasurer’s report could be inserted later).

Mrs. Jones, Corresponding Secretary, read an answer from Mrs. Knight concerning the exchange of ideas between the various women’s organizations as to their work.

Mrs. Jones reported that she could get the janitor of whom she spoke at the last meeting.

The president requested the corresponding secretary to write a note of sympathy to Dr. Keirn telling him that he was missed by the members at their meeting.

The president announced that the $200.00 promised by the Union to the church would be divided among the 34 members making it $7.00 for each one to raise in any way they pleased before next January.

Mrs. Blackman said as the Universalist church had been sold there were many things there that the Woman’s Union could have tables, chairs.

The president appointed Mrs. Draper as chairman to hold a rummage sale at the Universalist church and also dispose of anything there that the Union did not want.

Mrs. Blackman was appointed chairman with Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. Brownell and Mrs. Jones to give the church on W. Peachtree a thorough cleaning. The Woman’s Union to pay for all necessary help. Mrs. Blackman was thanked for the gift of oil and mop and the loan of the sprayer for this work.

Mrs. Draper was appointed treasurer during the absence of Mrs. Hollingsworth on her summer vacation.

Mrs. Edwards said that she had told Mr. Greene that the ladies could not take charge of the refreshments for the Get Acquainted Club after May. That, if possible, to get the young ladies who attended the meeting to take charge.

Mrs. Neal invited the Union to meet with her in June at her home 225 N. Moreland Ave., near Mansfield St.

On the way back to the cars this was changed to a box lunch at Mrs. Beck’s as the latter said it might be the last tine she could have the Union, as the house was for sale.

Present: Mrs. Edwards, Fisher, Brownell, Blackman, Draper, Keirn, Neal, Jones, Kirk, Rhyne (Archivist Note: Mrs. Rhyne’s name appears with an alternate spelling of Rine in other meeting notes. Assumed to be the same person), Toepel, Beck, Hollingsworth and the Misses Estill.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 60 Folder: 03
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Healthy Merger in Atlanta between Unitarian and Universalist Churches

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Parish News Letters

Healthy Merger in Atlanta

ATLANTA, GA.—Liberal Christian Church, Rev. Dr. G. I. Keirn: So much has happened in the Atlanta church the past year that it is hard to know where a report of events should begin. The Unitarian church and the Universalist church have merged into the Liberal Christian Church of Atlanta, and have taken on new life and vitality. Dr. G. I. Keirn took the pastorate about December 15, and has spent his first three months in reorganizing and rejuvenating. The church attendance is growing every Sunday.

The first meeting of the Sunday-school showed a very small attendance. Robert L. Merker took the superintendency and the school is increasing in numbers every week. The music committee, composed of J. V. Hollingsworth, Mrs. Hanson Jones, and Mrs. Hamilton Douglas, set about the organization of a choir. As a result a choir has been formed and the song services of the church are being greatly improved.

Dr. Eliot paid the church a visit on March 9. After services he met the men of the church, discussed plans of the future, and inspired all who heard him by the breadth of his vision for liberal Christianity in this community. All the affairs of the church are booming. There is a feeling of confidence among all members that the church is in for better times.

Source: The Christian Register found in Google Books, Vol. 98, No. 16, Apr 17, 1919, Page: 21 (381)

Woman's Union - Meeting Minutes Apr 11, 1919 (Dues Payments)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Minutes of The Woman’s Union
April 11, 1919

The meeting was opened by prayer by Dr. Keirn and the minutes read and approved.

The Constitution substitute mentioned in the last minutes was read and accepted.

Discussion as to how dues should be collected.

Treasure reported $13.00 in treasury, $1.00 of which was a donation and $12.00 from dues. According to the constitution, $4.00 was to be sent to the National Unitarian Alliance, as it was due May first. The dues to the Universalist organization will be sent later to it.

Mesdames Rowlett and Blake were unsuccessful in trying to get the church cleaned.

After some discussion, the ladies decided to clean the church with the aid of a vacuum cleaner loaned by Mrs. Draper.

An invitation by Mrs. Beck to meet with her in May was accepted.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 60 Folder: 03
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Woman's Union - Meeting Minutes Mar 10, 1919 (Constitution Change)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Minutes of The Woman’s Union
March 10, 1919

The recording secretary being absent the corresponding secretary made the following report.

Treasure absent.

Moved and carried that Mrs. Lombard be elected to the Executive Board.

It was announced by Dr. Keirn, chairman of the committee on Constitution, that the sixth article, the one on finance, be changed (See Constitution). (Archivist Note: have not found Woman’s Union Constitution in the archives). Instead of two-thirds of the membership fees going to the local organization, one third being given to the Georgia Universalist Woman’s Missionary Society and the other third to the Unitarian State Alliance. (The later not being in existence at the present time, this one third go into the general fund.)

Voted and every member of the two organizations be considered a member of the new organization unless the chairman is otherwise notified.

It was decided to appoint a chairman to obtain flowers for the church on Sundays at each monthly meeting. Mrs. Edward taking charge during March.

Mrs. J.W. Rowlett was appointed chairman to see that the dishes in the church pantry were kept clean.

Mrs. Blake offered to find out if the National Window Cleaning Co., could vacuum-clean the church and what it would cost. Moved and carried that the executive board make arrangements for the work which is not to cost above $15.00.

Various suggestions were made for making up the $200.00 pledged. A bazar, individual methods, Larkin Products, an apron and food sales just before Easter were mentioned. Mrs. Draper was asked to find out when the Union could hold a bazaar in Kenny’s Tea and Coffee store on Whitehall St. Mrs. Jones was made chairman to collect articles by donations.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 60 Folder: 03
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

American Unitarian Association Looking T...

1 January 2014 at 00:00

American Unitarian Association

Looking Toward the South

AMERICA IS EMERGING from war conditions. To the average American the war seemed to end abruptly, whatever may have been the knowledge which military experts had of conditions in Europe. The American Unitarian Association has not only borne its part in the obligations of the Nation during the period of the war, but has maintained as completely as possible the normal activities of our fellowship of churches. We were confronted by conditions of peculiar difficulty which indeed to some extent still prevail. More than one-fifth of the ministers of the Unitarian churches in the United States went into some form of war service. The readjustments of our work were exceedingly difficult under these circumstances.

A view of our Southern field is illuminating in itself and will serve to illustrate conditions which prevail in other areas of the United States. Some of our churches established in recent years had to be temporarily closed. We are now endeavoring to reopen them and to re-establish the work vigorously. New Orleans has remained open, and the people there are fortunate that their faithful minister, Rev. George Kent, has been persuaded to remain in spite of the attractive offers of other fields. At Richmond, Va., the work has not been permitted to falter. Rev. Frank W. Pratt went abroad in the service of the Red Cross and is still overseas. The church has been kept going continuously and is now in charge of Rev. C. F. Russell, formerly of Weston, Mass.

The minister at Jacksonville, Fla., Rev. Walter C. Pierce, has divided his time between the church and work of the American Library Association. He is now, however, in the midst of a busy season of successful work in the church. The same is true of Charleston, S.C., where Rev. Clifton M. Gray has been in War Camp Community work. At Birmingham, Ala., Dr. Thomas P. Byrnes has maintained the work of the church in full vigor while rendering public service in his community. The same is true of Rev. William E. Clark, the faithful minister of our church in Memphis, Tenn.

There has been, however, a temporary closing of the new movements at Houston and San Antonio, Tex., at Orlando, Fla., at Chattanooga, and Nashville, Tenn., at Atlanta, Ga., and at Charleston, W.Va. With the exception of Houston, for which a competent minister must be discovered, these places are now all reopened. Rev. George H. Badger has taken charge of the work at Orlando, Fla. His long experience in pioneer work for the Unitarian faith is the foundation for the hope that the important movement in Orlando will soon be going in full vigor. Rev. Arthur Schoenfeldt, a new recruit in the ranks of the Unitarian ministry, has taken charge at San Antonio, Tex. At Atlanta, Ga., there are very interesting developments. The Universalist church has united with the Unitarian church in the Unitarian building, and the sale of the Universalist property will add to the resources of the united societies. Rev. G. A. Keirn has taken charge of the united work, a man of long experience and success in the Universalist ministry. Rev. M. W. Taylor, formerly of Nashville, has accepted a call to Chattanooga. His place at Nashville has now been filled by the call of Rev. George B. Spurr, formerly of the North Church in Hingham, Mass. Rev. Channing Brown has been making an extended visit to Charleston, W.Va., and re-establishing the work there.

These churches are widely scattered over a great territory. Each one is, however, in a chosen position. In every case the community was carefully studied before the work was established. Each of these communities gives conclusive evidence of being a field where a strong and influential Unitarian church can be developed. Each of these churches will not only serve its community, but will be a centre of influence for a great territory round about. It will have its place in the further development of American life in these great commonwealths of our South.

Only those who have carefully studied the development of American cities in recent years realize the way in which many Southern cities are growing. This growth is one of the highly significant features of the life of our Republic. North and South have been drawn even closer together by the experiences of this great war in which they have shared on equal terms. The whole nation is more united in feeling and in purpose than ever before. The future of our Southern cities glows with great hopes. In this growth our Unitarian churches in Southern cities should have their share.

Each of these Unitarian ministers who is taking up new work in these cities has gone to his post full of hope and moved by consecration. These men have complete confidence in the loyal support of the people of our Unitarian fellowship. They deserve that support in the fullest measure. Their hands will be strengthened for their arduous labors by the confidence that through them our entire fellowship is at work in these communities. Shall we sustain them? There is only one answer that we can give and that is the answer of a whole-hearted support.

These men and churches deserve not only the financial support of our people, but the sense of a strong and loyal fellowship. Great spaces separate them. Not one of these men has a Unitarian minister as a near neighbor. In the long years their hearts may be invaded by loneliness, but we must give them the quickened sense of a vital fellowship which believes in them and in their work, and will sustain them with every kind of strength which they need. One reason for the call which the American Unitarian Association is making for substantial contributions of money is the imperative need of sustaining this important work in Southern cities.

Source: The Christian Register found in Google Books, Vol. 98, No. 8, Feb 20, 1919, Pages: 6 – 7 (174 – 175)

Woman's Union - Meeting Minutes Feb 10, 1919 (Constitution Adopted)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Minutes of The Woman’s Union
February 10, 1919

The secretary being absent on account of the illness of her sister, Miss Estill, Mrs. Hanson Jones made the following report:

The treasurer reported $19.21 in treasury $10.00 of this were dues and the remainder from the supper and donations.

Dr. G. I. Keirn read the Constitution for the woman’s organization which had been approved by the committee of which he was chairman and it was unanimously adopted by the members.

It was moved and carried that the secretary be authorized to buy a new book to be used for the records of meetings and roll of the UNION.

Mrs. W. A. Edwards was elected vice-president and Mrs. Hanson Jones corresponding secretary. Mrs. Merker and Mrs. White were elected members of the executive board.

The members voted to raise $200.00 before January 1, 1920 toward the church budget.

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 60   Folder: 03
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

 

Woman's Union - Meeting Minutes Jan 14, 1919 (Organizational Activities)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Liberal Christian Church Jan 14, 1919

The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. G.I. Keirn. The chairman, Mrs. Perry presided. It was moved by Mrs. Douglas that Mrs. Perry, Miss E. Estill, Sec. pro tem, and Mrs. J. V. Hollingsworth, Treas. be elected, to their present positions. Passed.

Dr. Keirn, Mrs. Douglas and Mrs. Hanson Jones were appointed a committee to frame a Constitution for the Alliance.

The committee for the supper on Friday January 24, was named, Mrs.Perry, chairman, and Mrs. Templeman, Mrs. Hollingsworth, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Matthews and Miss S.E.Estill assistants with any others who could come at four o’clock.

The assistance of the Alliance was requested in raising $270.00 to pay off the interest on the house debt.

The president took under advisement the appointment of the following committees to help build up the church:

  • Greeting strangers in the church vestibule
  • Visiting new comers to the church
  • Committee on the housekeeping of the church
  • Flower committee
  • Tuesday afternoon committee on program
  • Friday night committee on program

Those present were Mrs. Perry, Dr.and Mrs Keirn, Mrs. Ware, Mrs. Jones, Madames Douglas, Peck, Hollingsworth, Miss S.E. Estill and Mrs. J.A. Farleigh, a visitor from Chattanooga.

Several present paid their dues.

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 60   Folder: 03
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Tribute to Joseph Wade Conkling - Killed in Action Argonne Forest

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Joseph Wade Conkling

A letter from a relative of Dr. Joseph Wade Conkling, former minister of the Unitarian church in Atlanta, Ga., brings the information that he has died in France in the defence of his country’s and the world’s peace. He was wounded in the battle of Argonne Forest on October 16. The end – say rather the beginning – came October 16. He re-enlisted on that day in the Army of the Living God.

Dr. Conkling prepared for service in one of the evangelical denominations as a medical missionary, but on discovering the Unitarians he felt that his rightful place was with them. He became minister of the Unitarian church in Atlanta in 1912, serving it until the time of his enlistment. In his brief pastorate he did much for his church, not only building it up in heart and hope, but rebuilding its earthly tabernacle in a beautiful and appropriate new church edifice.

Enlisting in the United States Army at Fort McPherson, Ga., a year or more ago, he won a captaincy by his intelligent, diligent, and faithful devotion to the heroic drudgery of the camp and field.

A manly man, young, strong, virile, brave, honest in thought and act with himself and his neighbor, lovable and loving, a happy husband, a fond and proud father of an endearing little daughter, he might have been alive and working and walking with us today but that he preferred the hazard of quick death with honor to the chance of a life of lesser impetus and glory.

We were not worthy of him, I fear, either as church or as friends, but we can try to be worthy of his memory and mindful of his example. The peace of God which passeth understanding be with him and keep his memory fresh in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. The church in Atlanta has had its helpers, friends, companions, confessors not a few from first to last in the changing years. It has now its martyr.

“Fight on, brave warrior of the fight eternal.
For live and liberty in joy’s pursuit,
Till every teacher of the lie infernal
The Might makes Right dies with his kindred brute.”

George L. Chaney

Source: The Christian Register found in Google Books, Vol. 98, No. 1, Jan 2, 1919, Page: 21 (21)

Story of a Famous Church, Hollis Street Boston - Part IV - Rev. Chaney's Ministry

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Archivist Note: This article is the fourth in a series of articles Rev. Chaney published weekly in The Christian Register in starting December 5, 1918.  The articles cover the history of the Hollis Street Church in Boston.  This article covers the Rev. Chaney’s ministry at the church.

Story of Famous Church

The author’s ministry is here recited and the crossing of the congregation into the Promised Land

George L. Chaney

Part IV

BESIDES and beyond the maintenance of all the customary ministries and the persistent holding of the church to its ancient ground, Hollis Street made good its calling to the unchurched by labors for their welfare. The Associated Charities had its anticipation and pattern set up, in the renewal, so far as possible, of the parish system of charitable relief in the chapel of the Hollis Street Church ; that is, the actual adoption and provision for it was made there. Industrial education—or, as we learned later to call it, manual training or integral education, or the parallel development of body, mind and soul—got its local start there. “The Whittling School” in Hollis Street Chapel, as it was derisively called, was the beginning of that co-ordination of hand and brain training which is now the proud accomplishment of your public school system.  The Industrial School Association, largely composed of members of that church, held all its meetings there.

From the same soil the Flower Mission (of fragrant memory, and I hope still blooming) sprang and budded. Hospital Sunday, uniting all denominations in simultaneous contribution to freely serving institutions of mercy, healed the wounds of sectarian strife no less than those of disease and accident.

In unconscious prophecy of what would one day come on a larger scale to the church itself, the chapel—which itself was built by the church of this later period— dramatized and put on its stage wholesome stories, and offered penny readings to the street Arabs of the day and night—especially the night.

And so I might go on celebrating the doings of the Hollis Street Church, if I could escape the uncomfortable feeling that in doing so I am saying a good word for myself.

But I am not. It is the church I am praising. For in all the not-unprofitable years of the Hollis Street Church in my day, it was the ready, able, and harmonious assistant of every good and needy cause which applied to it. In my every recollection of it I am filled with a grateful sense of its patient suffering of ministerial rawness and insufficiency.

A minister’s first parish is his real school of preparation for the ministry. Only a church hardened or softened to the work by years of experience can stand the wear and tear of it. For fifteen years, minister and people colleagued in services to the city and country which I love to recall. It was a liberal education in the ways of social uplift, adequate education, and sensible charity, to live in Boston during those eventful years, and it made possible and congenial the work of moral and spiritual reconstruction at the South, upon which I afterward entered.

The story of that work does not enter into this story in any other sense than that the one was the Alma Mater of the other. All the local agencies for the world-wide service in which Boston then busied itself had their ally in this church of the ready hand, the charitable heart, and the generous gift and ample thought. Its old-fashioned local attachment led it to hold to its idolized bricks and mortar long after the living stones of its sanctuary had gone into the building up of more modern churches to the South and Southwest.

It was this determination of the stable old society, to hold its fort after the approaches had been taken by the enemy, which led me in 1877, after fifteen years of service on the spot where my sanguine and magnetic predecessor had pronounced it unwise to remain another year, to withdraw from its ministry. All the churches of the Unitarian Way to the north of us, excepting King’s Chapel, had yielded to the lure of the Promised Land and already crossed the Jordan, if that is not too poetical a figure for that torrent of railways which pours unceasingly between the South and West Ends. Hollis Street was soon to follow. The talented Bernard Carpenter, of brilliant if transient memory, who succeeded me, was the Joshua of this ecclesiastical removal; and later on the old society was merged with the South Congregational Society, under Edward Everett Hale. To this millennial conclusion—at least to the lion-and—lamb portion of it—are we come at last.

All which, being ancient history now, I trust will be received for its antiquity, if not for its special interest or merit.

One word of justification for this departure from the one theme of the present cycle.

The church, more than any other congregation of men, is the epitome of human life and character. It is the unit of the mighty army of mankind. Nothing human is indifferent to it. It not only holds the mirror up to man and nature, but it enters into that which is behind the veil and gives hope an anchorage there. It is God’s best gift to man, or man’s best gift to God, as you may choose to phrase it; and it is not going to die or to cease to act with telling power upon the development and history of the world. The Spirit which made it will remake it, if it is cast down. Tell me, if you must, of the dying out of churches here and there, for reasons inherent in themselves or in their surroundings, but do not tell me of the diminishing power of the Church— the body and servant of the spirit in man to which the Spirit of Wisdom giveth understanding—unless you are ready to sign the death-warrant of the immortal part of man and to cry with the Jews of old: “Barabbas! Barabbas!” in the judgment of Jesus Christ.

People who will not or do not pursue good positively for the love of it must be made to seek it negatively for the hate they have of evil. The reaction from sin is the spur to virtue. This, I suppose, is the providence of evil in a God – ordained and  – governed world; this is what we have to face and reckon with today, and this reaction is what the Church makes its business. Thus it maintains its right to speak in these days of speechless agony and groanings which cannot be uttered, and thus this story of one church’s life – a church so humanly real and so divinely aspiring, a church which walked shoulder to shoulder with the country in two great wars, the church of Holley, Pierpont, and King – commends itself to the attention and study of the living, dying, reconstructive age in which we live. It is time appealing to eternity; life rebuking the threat and frightfulness of premature death; love supplanting hate; pity matching and mating manly courage and fidelity to trust. That is the church which does the Church’s work.

We who have lived long enough to see a war of deliverance from slavery and national inconsistency justified by the peace which is the fruit of righteousness may not doubt that a war unsought of us and waged on our part with unselfish devotion to the rights, comforts, and happiness of other nations than our own, will in due time [*] find its reward in the peace which passeth our present understanding.

(THE END.)

[*] This was written in May, 1918.

Source: The Christian Register found in Google Books, Vol. 97, No. 51, Dec 19, 1918, Pages: 11 – 12 (1215 – 1216)

 

Capt. J.W. Conkling FORMER PASTOR, SLAIN

1 January 2014 at 00:00

KILIED IN FRANCE
Capt. J.W. Conkling FORMER PASTOR, SLAIN

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia)   Sat, Nov 16, 1918

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia)
Sat, Nov 16, 1918

Dr. J. W Conkling, former pastor of the Unitarian church in Atlanta, and a captain in the 82nd division, died on October 16th from wounds received in action in France, according to a message received in Atlanta from the war department.

Mrs. Conkling was in Battle Creek, Mich., when the news came announcing the death of her husband, and the message was not made public until she had been informed of the telegram received here. Mrs. Conkling had gone there to take a special course to fit herself, as she stated to friends, to aid her husband in his work if returned, and if not, to be able to support herself and little boy.

Dr. Conkling resigned from the pastorate of the Unitarian church here to enter the army, not in the capacity of a chaplain, but as an officer of the line.  He was a graduate at the first officers’ training camp at Fort McPherson. Commissioned a captain, he was assigned to the 82nd division at Camp Gordon, and went overseas with that command.

In resigning to enter the army, Dr. Conkling told his congregation that he thought he could serve his country better as a soldier than he could as a chaplain. “I feel, too,” said Dr. Conkling, “that I can perform a service to my flag and to my fellowmen as one of them – a soldier.”

His congregation passed resolutions expressive of deep feeling with which his resignation was accepted.

Dr. Conkling was a Mason of high degree.  At one time he was scout master of Troop Ten of the Atlanta Boy Scouts, and is the second former scout master to die for his country on the battle front.  The other was G. Richard Rices, also scout master of Troop Ten.

The beautiful little gothic chapel in which the Unitarian church is now housed stands as a monument to this work as its pastor, for it was under his leadership that the church was built.  In addition to his service in public institutions he found time to serve the poor and needy, the extent of which has been discovered since the news of his death, many unfortunate children testifying how he had aided them.

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Sat, Nov 16, 1918 – Page 6
Copyright © 2013 Newspapers.com. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

Nov 15, 1918 (assumed date) In November ...

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Nov 15, 1918 (assumed date)

In November 1918 a meting was held at the home of Mr. & Mrs. A. O. Blake at which the following officers were elected for the year here elected.

Johnnie Rowlett – President
Saphronia Durdin – Vice-President
Hetta Rowlett – Secretary & Treasurer

(See page 92 for balance of report)

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 9
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, AtlantaGA

Archivist Note: There is a seven-month gap in meeting minutes. The last meeting minutes of Feb 15, 1918 are recorded on page 8 of the meeting notebook. The entry of Nov 1918 is recorded on the following page 9.

Notes on Joseph Wade Conkling

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Joseph Wade Conkling (1881 – 1918)

Date of death: Killed in Action
Place of Birth: Texas, Lewisville
Home of record: Atlanta Georgia
Status: KIA

Distinguish Service Cross

Distinguish Service Cross

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Joseph W. Conkling, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 327th Infantry Regiment, 82d Division, A.E.F., during the advance from Sommerance-St. Juvin road toward Landres-et-St. Georges, France, 11 October 1918.

When the entire line was held up by direct artillery fire and concentrated machine-gun fire Captain Conkling crawled out on the open crest of the hill for a distance of 200 yards alone, for the purpose of reconnoitering and spotting enemy emplacements. Though the fire was constant and direct, he reached his objective and returned, seriously wounded several times by machine-gun bullets which later caused his death.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 3 (1921)

Action Date: 11-Oct-18
Service: Army
Rank: Captain
Regiment: 327th Infantry Regiment
Division: 82d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

Burial: Plot F Row 19 Grave 36, Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne, France

Source: Military Times, Hall of Valor, Joseph Wade Conkling

Review of Unitarian Church by Acting Minister Rev. Conner in Early 1918

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ATLANTA, GA.—Unitarian Church, Rev. Ralph E. Conner, acting minister: Here is what one Southern church did in a short time. Before that is told, why is there such a small number of strong, self-supporting liberal churches in the Southland? In order to understand this dearth one explanation must always be borne in mind, namely, that Congregationalism, Universalism and Unitarianism are not indigenous to the soil. They are regarded as exotic growths. The doctrine of States’ rights may be dead, but it spirit is marching on.

In Atlanta, Ga. there is a Congregational church the auditorium of which would seat seven hundred people but the attendance is less than one hundred. Not one Southern family is on its membership roll.

The Universalist pastor corroborated the statement for his church and the acting minister of the Unitarian church could bear the same witness. One parent of the family might be Southerner, but the other is certain to hail from the North.

So liberal religion is more or less suspected of being a New England graft.

There is an impressive and worshipful Unitarian church in this Gateway City of the South. Every detail of its architecture reveals thought, skill, and reverence. Its appointments are well-nigh perfect from an ecclesiastical point of view. Both the exterior and the interior show at once its purpose. One would be willing to take it just as it is, set it down anywhere, and go to work with it. The architect, Mr. Edwards, is one of the steady and sturdy pillars of our faith.

The acting minister, a forerunner, came to prepare the way for another who was expected to come. A “drive” to clear the indebtedness on the new organ, with Mr. Hamilton Douglas at its head, got busy and in one week paid off $1,850, the Carnegie Foundation assuming $750.

This initial act showed the people what they could do. The congregation increased from forty to seventy-five and one hundred, in the coldest winter for a hundred and five years. At the end of ten weeks all other bills were paid and there was a balance of $1,000 in the treasury.

Source:  The Christian Register found in Google Books , vol 97, No. 9, Feb. 28, 1918 Page 23 – 23 (214 – 215)

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Feb 15, 1918 (Meet at Unitarian Church)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Feb 15, 1918

The Y.P.C.U. had a social and business meeting at Dr. Rowlett’s home Friday evening February 15, 1918.

The business was to discuss of where we would have our Sunday meetings. It was decided that we would go the following Sunday to the Unitarian Church and see if the Union would like to hold its meetings there until services were once more a the Universalist Church.

Miss ??delle was received as a member of our union.

After this every one had a mighty good time during the social part of the meeting.

<signed>

Harry Garrett
Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 8 – 9
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Archivist Note: An announcement appeared in the February 23, 1918 Atlanta papers stating that,

“The Unitarian and Universalists of Atlanta will meet in public worship at the Unitarian Church, 301 West Peachtree street, tomorrow morning at 11 o’clock. This is the first meeting under a temporary merger of the two congregations which is planned to last for the duration of the war. Rev. T.B. Fisher, the retiring minister of the Universalist church, will preach on “The Larger Destiny.” All friends are cordially invited.”

Although announced as a temporary merger, the merger continued until the early 1950’s when the joint Unitarian and Universalist congregation failed, vacated the 301 West Peachtree (later re-numbered to 669 W. Peachtree) church building and disbanded.

Newspaper clippings are not part of the UUCA collection at Pitts Theology Library.  Contact the Archivist for access.

Winning the War in the Churches

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American Unitarian Association.

Winning the War in the Churches.

At the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Association on December 11 the following timely and practical resolution was adopted:—

“Whereas it is desirable that the churches should at this time set an example of economy in the use of men and money,–

“Resolved, That the Directors of the Association recommend that the churches give careful consideration to the possibilities of federation and combination for the winter or for the duration of the war. Experience in the federation of churches of similar or even different traditions has demonstrated that it is possible to reconcile denominational loyalty with local unity, efficiency and economy.”

When good people in a town of five thousand souls show me their twelve churches as the evidence of the town’s respectability and religious vitality, I demur. They seem to me rather to represent the presence and power of Satan. I remember Father Taylor’s prayer:

“O Lord, deliver us from bigotry and bad rum; Thou knowest which is worse, I don’t.”

Let me use some borrowed analogies. If the trade of that town of five thousand souls and twelve churches were conducted in the way its religious interests are administered there would be a dozen grocery stores where three are enough, and every store would have a cheap and adulterated stock and be upon the brink of bankruptcy. If the public education of the town were managed upon that principle there would be twelve schoolhouses where there are now but four, -one where the teachers were all Baptists or Prohibitionists, another where the metric system was taught instead of our system of weights and measures, and another where all the girls wore checked aprons. The result would be “a lot of ill-constructed buildings occupied by ill-instructed teachers, where the children were trained in the eccentricities rather than the essentials of knowledge.”

The waste involved in superfluous churches is obvious. Overlapping churches are inevitably poor, shabby, incompetently manned, socially inefficient, spiritually inert. They cost the people for the maintenance of unnecessary buildings and salaries. They cost the ministers, who, because of the duplication, must serve for starvation wages and preach to a mere handful of people. They waste moral power, for the effort which now goes into supporting a superfluous church is diverted from the work of making a better community. The people need to be brought together, but the competing churches keep them apart. The town drifts steadily toward paganism. The churches have crowded out Christianity.

There are one hundred and forty-five Christian sects in the United States. For a lot of them the devil appears to be chiefly responsible, but there are legitimate reasons for some of the varieties,—differences in race, in language, in interpretations of Scripture, in forms of church organization or of public worship. I do not believe that it is expedient for churches of utterly different traditions and practices to try to worship together except on special occasions. People who are accustomed to free congregational forms of worship and people who prefer liturgical usages are not altogether happy when they try to go to church together. The combinations that the Directors have in mind in their recommendation are, first, temporary mergers of adjacent, non-liturgical churches of similar traditions but of different allegiances; and, second, the union of neighboring Unitarian churches in the employment of one minister where two are now meagrely sustained.

Several illustrations of the first kind of combination may be taken from Massachusetts. At Taunton the Orthodox Congregational church is uniting this winter in worship with the Unitarian church. The services are held in the two churches during alternate months, with the Unitarian minister in charge. At Uxbridge there is a similar combination between the Unitarian Congregational and the Trinitarian Congregational churches. The services are held in the Unitarian church under the charge of the Congregational minister. At Peabody three churches have combined, the Congregational, Universalist, and Unitarian. The services are held successively in the meeting-houses of the three societies, the ministers preaching in turn. A similar federation exists between the three churches of the town of Berlin, and a like arrangement is pending at Pepperell. In Danvers the Unitarian and Universalist churches are holding union services in the Unitarian meeting-house.

Recent illustrations of the second form of combination can be found at the other extremity of the country. In California the minister at San José also happily serves the church at Alameda, and the minister at Long Beach effectively serves the church at Santa Ana. The churches thus combining their resources are obviously able to secure a stronger minister than if each one tried to support a minister of its own.

Is not sectarian exclusiveness peculiarly repulsive in these days? Should we not, while stoutly maintaining our special loyalties, make cordial recognition of the merits of our neighbors and seek to promote a generous interest in each other’s motives and purposes? It is not controversy that is characteristic of the divisions of Protestantism to-day so much as mutual ignorance, inherited prejudices, provincial partisanship, sterile isolation. Most people do not take their religion seriously enough nowadays to be fanatical about it. Our sectarian divisions often survive only because neighboring churches know so little of each other. There are many churches that have no vital issues to debate, and yet they remain as far apart as if they were fighting over grave differences in truth or principle.

Surely we can guard our religious integrity and preserve our loyalty to our own traditions while at the same time promoting fellowship. Bigotry is inexpressibly silly in these days. In many places the old animosities have ceased not only to be vital but even to be remembered.  The differences which separate churches of the Congregational inheritance are now so remote from the thought and interest of the people, or of so obscure a character, that it is safe to affirm that a majority of intelligent churchgoers are unable to give any accurate account of them. Let it be clearly understood that what the Directors of the Association are suggesting is not amalgamation or absorption. We do not commend a combination like that of the lion and the lamb, where the lion swallows the lamb. We do not want a church based on compromises or contradictions, but should we not at this time seek to promote mutual intercourse and common worship? Shall we not emphasize the agreements rather than the disagreements? No wise man condemns real diversities. We are not made alike; we do not look alike; we cannot all think alike. Uniformity is not only utterly stupid, but it is forbidden by the nature of truth and the nature of man. Union by submission to one creed or one form or one ecclesiastical law is morally impossible. The co-operation and federation suggested by the Directors of the Association is not only practical but it is possible to-morrow.

The arguments for federation are at all times cogent, but they are especially emphasized by the exigencies of this war winter. The obligation to save coal ought alone to constrain neighboring churches to seriously consider uniting in the use of one meeting-house. In New England it is the Unitarian church, which is ordinarily the First Parish or the First Congregational Society, which ought to take the initiative and invite the daughter and sister churches to return for a time to the old family hearth. Such co-operation in a season of common solicitude will develop a community spirit which will not only help the people to bear the burden of the foreboding days, but also make their patriotic endeavors more efficient.

And what of economy of man power? In normal times the accessions to the Unitarian ministry just about equal the losses by death and withdrawal. Last year there were twenty-two names added to the List of Ministers in the Year Book and nineteen names were dropped. In the preceding Year Book twenty names were added and twenty-six were dropped. But this year, besides the normal losses by death and withdrawal, a dozen or more ministers have left their parishes to enter some branch of the National Service and several have withdrawn because their pacifist sentiments have put them out of tune with their congregations. On the other hand, the recruiting of the ministry has almost stopped. There is not to-day a single student preparing for the Unitarian ministry at the Harvard Divinity School. That can be said proudly, because every Unitarian who was at the School last year is to-day in the National Service. Never in our history has there been such a shortage of ministers available for parish service.

The chief difficulty in arranging to have one minister serve two neighboring churches is that both congregations not unnaturally desire his presence at the morning service. This obstacle must be recognized, but it is impossible to believe that Christian people are really able to worship God together only at the hour of eleven o’clock on Sunday morning. With modern facilities of transportation a parish covering two neighboring towns is geographically no larger than many a single town parish in olden days, and too often the united numbers of the Unitarian churches of adjoining towns are not numerically in excess of many a single city parish. I can think of a score of places where such a combination as is suggested would free a minister for the service of one of the churches that must otherwise close its doors, give the minister of the combined parishes a more adequate compensation, and illustrate the capacity of Unitarian churches to forego at such a time as this the luxury of having each its own parish minister, and their ability to join with their neighbors in fraternal co-operation. Can we not take this opportunity to get away from the curse of parochial selfishness that too often afflicts us?

Can we not recognize that now is the time to remember and to practise the democratic doctrine of “each for all and all for each”? Let each church be self-reliant and self-sustaining, but let it not therefore be supposed that it is sufficient unto itself or that it can think only of itself. The best way to learn fraternity is to practise it.

SAMUEL A. ELIOT.

Source: The Christian Register found in Google Books December 20, 1917, Volume 97, Page 1204 ()

 

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Dec 14, 1917 (Officers Elected)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Dec 14, 1917

As it was time to elect new officers, a business meeting was held at the church December 14, 1917.

Those elected are:

Shirley Hiatt – President
Hetta Rowlett – Vice-President
Harry Garrett – Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 8
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Nov 22, 1917 (Social Program)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Nov 2, 1917

Friday evening November 2, 1917 Mrs. Puckett entertained the Y.P.C.U.

This was a social meeting only and as usual we had a very pleasant time.

<signed>

Harry Garrett
Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 7
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Sep 1, 1917 (Box Supper Results, Ten Cents a Month)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Sep 1, 1917

A business meeting was held at the church September 1, 1917.

It was decided to give a box supper in order to make money to settle some debts.

It was giving October 5, 1917 and was a success as $16.45 was made.

It was also decided to adopt the ten-cents-a-month method for dues.

Secy.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 7
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Jul 27, 1917 (Devotional and Social Reports)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Jul 27, 1917

The Y.P.C.U. held its social meeting at Dr. Rowlett’s home, July 27, 1917.

The minutes of the last meeting were approved.

We had a very satisfactory report form the Devotional and Social Committees.

Lucy Rhyne was appointed Onward Superintendent.

Much to the sorrow of the Union, the Secretary resigned and I was elected to take her place.

After the business, a very delightful social part of the meeting was thoroughly enjoyed by every one.

<signed>

Harry Garrett
Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 6
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Jun 22, 1917 (Social, Delegates Elected)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Jun 22, 1917

The Y.P.C.U. held its monthly social meeting a the home of Shirley Hiatt on Friday evening June 22, 1917.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

Delegates were elected for the National Convention at Chattanooga. Those elected were:

Johnnie Rowlett
Miss Durdin
Shirley Hiatt

Dr. Fisher being our minister made our fourth delegate and voted upon.

Officers for our State Union were discussed and voted upon.

It was moved and carried that the Secretary send the names of the officers that the Atlanta Union voted on to Canon and Winder.

A delightful social meeting was spent.

<signed>

Johnnie Rowlett
Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 5 – 6
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

 

Rev. A.T. Bowser

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Seventh Report: On the Occasion of the Fortieth Anniversary of Graduation

By Harvard College (1780- ). Class of 1877

ALEXANDER THOMAS BOWSER

Born at Sackville, N. B., Canada, Feb. 20, 1848. Son of Robert and Jane (Kirk) Bowser. Prepared at Public Latin School, Boston, Mass.

In College: 1873-77. Degrees: A.B. 1877; S.T.B. 1880.

Married to Adelaide Prescott Reed, St. Louis, Mo., April 17, 1884. Children: Alice, born May 25, 1885, died Feb. 19, 1887; Henry Reed, born Aug. 18, 1887; Robert, born Dec. 1, 1890.

Occupation: Clergyman.
Address: (summer) St. Andrews, N. B., Canada.

I graduated from Harvard Divinity School in 1880. Spent one year in St. Louis, Mo., and two years in southern Indiana, in home mission work. I then was settled in Hingham, Mass., as minister of the New North Church.

In 1887 I resigned this position to become the minister of the First Unitarian Church of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I resigned in 1891 on account of ill-health, spending the next three years in recreation and travel, including two trips abroad.

I was again settled in 1894 at Wilmington, Del., as minister of the First Unitarian Church, holding the position for fourteen years. Then resigned to take up pioneer preaching at Atlanta, Ga., and — three years later — at Richmond, Va. This work came to an end in 1915, because of sickness in the family, and much of the time since then has been spent on my farm at St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada.

I am a member of the Order of Free and Accepted Masons.

Source:  Found in Google Books:  Seventh Report: On the Occasion of the Fortieth Anniversary of Graduation of Harvard College, Class of 1877, Page 31

HARVARD COLLEGE CLASS OF 1877 SECRETARY’S REPORT, No. III

1885

ALEXANDER THOMAS BOWSER.

Born in Sackville, New Brunswick, Feb. 20, ’48. After graduating from the Harvard Divinity School, in ’80, I spent one year in St. Louis, Mo., two years in Southern Indiana, and then in Feb., ’84, was settled in Hingham, Mass., as Pastor of the New North Church.

Was married April 17, ’84, at St. Louis, by Rev. John Snyder, Pastor of the Church of the Messiah of that city, to Adelaide Prescott Reed, daughter of the late Henry Stillman and Angeline (Piatt) Reed. ” I have a first-rate parish, a good wife, and a happy home, to which you and the rest of the class are always welcome.” A daughter, Alice, was born May 25, ’85. Address : Hingham, Mass.

Source: Found in Archive. Org, Harvard College Class of 1877, Secretary’s Report Vol III, 1885

 

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, May 25, 1917 (Social Meeting)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

May 25, 1917

The monthly social meeting of the Y.P.C.U. was held at the home of Miss Rarston on Friday evening May 25, 1917.

A delightful evening was spent. Plan for our play were presented and discussed.

<signed>

Johnnie Rowlett
Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 5
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, May 4, 1917 (Social Meeting)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

May 4, 1917

The Y.P.C.U. held its monthly social meeting at the home of Miss Blanche Rasanke on Friday evening May 4, 1917.

The evening was spent in social conversation and the playing of games, and it was very pleasant occasion.

The transaction of business was dispensed with.

<signed>

Johnnie Rowlett
Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 4 – 5
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Rev. Conner Unitarian Club of California

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Unitarian Club of California

When it was expected that the annual conference of the Pacific Coast churches would be held at Berkeley, May 8th to 11th, the council of the Unitarian Club of California planned to use the annual ladies’ night in entertaining the delegates and their wives, and had arranged an attractive program. When the conference was given up that energy might be given, and resources conserved, for the needs of the Nation, it was determined to hold the dinner with a necessarily modified program. The meeting was held at the Hotel Whitcomb, recently completed, and specially fitted for receptions, since on the eighth floor, superimposed on the roof, is a majestic room commanding all the sun and all the view that San Francisco can claim. Here at 6 o’clock there was held a general reception to Dr. and Mrs. Chas. F. Dole, Dr. and Mrs. Franklin C. South worth, and Rev. Ralph E. Conner.

At 7 o’clock the company of about ninety dropped down to the diningroom and enjoyed a dinner, which, in accordance with its uniform practice, ministers and their wives enjoyed without other consideration than their presence, while members and guests were served at somewhat less than cost, so that no conscience suffered for questionable expenditure. The general topic for discussion was “Libertv and Loyalty”. The Council’s call read: “Not the least important side of preparedness is clear thinking and an uplifted spirit, that loyalty may be enlightened and we may be prepared to act wisely and to bear with courage whatever comes.”

The first speaker was Rev. Ralph E. Conner, late of Gardner, Mass., who arrived on the day of meeting from Southern California, where he has generously supplied pulpits, and also delivered many well-appreciated lectures. He spoke upon “The One Thing Needful”, and very happily opened the discussion.

He emphasized the duty of loyalty and of steadfast support of those entrusted with the responsibilty of governmental control in these days of trial.

Dr. Dole spoke on “Our Contribution to the Public Good in Time of War”. He left no doubt of his regret that war had come and urged that we cherish humane views and avoid hate and wholesale condemnation of all the people who oppose us. We must beware of falling into the old error that sharply divided between the sheep and the goats. The fact is that the best of us have somewhat of the goat in our composition, and there is a little of the sheep in the worst of men. He favored generosity and suggested that it would have a good effect if rich America should step in at the end of the war and settle indemnities imposed on the defeated.
Mrs. Elizabeth Gerberding spoke briefly but well on “Loyalty of Church to State”, setting. forth some of the possibilities, and dwelling on what individuals might do for and through the church.

Dr. Southworth closed the discussion in pointed consideration of “The Loyalty Which Liberty Demands”. His address was constructive and firmly supported absolute loyalty that liberty might be preserved. The spirit of the evening was fine. There was enough difference in conclusions to remind all that the rights of free speech are worth making sacrifices for.

Source: Google Book, The Pacific Unitarian, Volume 26, No. 7, May 1917, Pages: 207 – 208

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Mar 31, 1917 (Social Meeting)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Mar 31, 1917

The Y.P.C.U. held its monthly social meeting at the home of Miss Saphronia Durding on Saturday evening March 31, 1917.

No business was transacted.

<signed>

Johnnie Rowlett
Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 4 – 5
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Feb 23, 1917 (Financial Report)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Feb 23, 1917

The monthly meeting of the Y.P.C.U. was held at the home of Dr. Rowlett on Friday evening February 23, 1917.

The minutes from the last meeting were read and approved.

The Treasurer report showed since January 26, 1917, time of last meeting, contributions of $.30, making $.92 in the treasury.

<signed>

Johnnie Rowlett
Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 4
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta Ga

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Jan 26, 1917 (Financial Report)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Jan 26, 1917

The Y.P.C.U. held its monthly social meeting at the home of Lydia Joepel on Friday evening Jan 26, 1917.

The minutes from the last meeting were read and approved.

A report made from the two-cents-a-week committee, showing five members payed (sic) up to date.

The Treasurer read her report showing Contributions of a $1.14, Expenditures $.52; leaving $.62 in the treasury.

<signed>

Johnnie Rowlett
Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 4
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Dec 31, 1916 (Sunday Collection)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Dec 31, 1916

A meeting of the Y.PC.U. was held Sunday morning, Dec 31, 1916.

On vote it was decided that the offering on Sunday morning should go to the treasure of the Y.P.C.U. and not to the treasurer of the Sunday School.

<signed>

Johnnie Rowlett
Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 3
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Y.P.C.U. Meeting Minutes, Dec 9, 1916 (Officers and Committees)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Dec 9, 1916

The Y.P.C.U. held its first meeting at her residence of Dr. Fisher on Saturday Dec. 9, 1916. There were eleven present.

The following officers were elected:

Miss Durdin – President
Charlie Bond – Vice-President
Johnnie Rowlett – Secretary and Treasurer

The following committees were appointed:
Social Committee – Miss Rasanke, Chairman. Hetta Rowlett and Shirley Hiatt
Devotional Committee – Mr. Cagle, Lucy Rhyne and Johnnie Rowlett
Two-cents-a-week Committee – Lydia Joepel, Johnnie Rowlett

Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 07    Page: 3
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

List of Young People's Christian Union members 1916 - 1917

1 January 2014 at 00:00

The Young People’s Christian Union
For Christ and His Church 1916 – 1917

Miss Blanche Rasnake 401 South Moreland
Miss Saphronia Durdin  130 Dill Ave
Mr. J. T. Cagle
Sydia Joepel  44 Seminole Ave
Lucy Rhynne  401 South Moreland
Hetta Rowlett  186 East Pine St
 Dr. Fisher  81 East Ave
 Mrs. Fisher  81 East Ave
 Shirley Hyatt
 Charlie Bond  Georgia Tech
 Johnnie Rowlett  186 East Pine Ave
 <blank> McMichen
 <blank> McMichen
 Virginia Merker
 Clayton Rhynne  401 South Moreland Ave
 Harry Garett  Georgia Tech
 Miss Maude Gable
 Sam Flemming

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26 Folder: 07 Page: 1
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Unitarian Church Seeks Mortgage on Dwelling House

1 January 2014 at 00:00

American Unitarian Association

The board of directors of the American Unitarian Association held their regular meeting at 25 Beacon Street on Tuesday, Sept 12. 1916.

Archivist: Omitted meeting minutes prior to this section.

Mr. H. S. Cole, treasurer of the Unitarian church of Atlanta, Ga., was invited to appear and address the board upon the present situation confronting that society, after which the board passed the following votes:

Voted, Upon payment of the present indebtedness of the Unitarian church of Atlanta, Ga., to the American Unitarian Association and upon release of the present obligation of the American Unitarian Association to make further loans to said Unitarian church of Atlanta under vote of Sept. 12, 1916, and in the discretion of the president and secretary, to convey to the Unitarian church of Atlanta that portion of the premises now held by the American Unitarian Association on which the dwelling-house stands adjoining the church in Atlanta, to enable the Unitarian church of Atlanta to place a mortgage of $5,000 upon the premises upon the undertaking of the Unitarian church of Atlanta to pay off said mortgage to the extent of $1,000 with the proceeds of the present building pledges or other substitutes therefor, and to the extent of $1,050 by organ recitals or other entertainments, and thereafter to pay off the balance in installments from funds received for current expenses.

Voted, That the president, Samuel A. Eliot, and the treasurer, Henry M. Williams, be and hereby are authorized on behalf of the American Unitarian Association to make conveyance of certain real estate in Atlanta, Ga., adjoining but not including the premises occupied by the Unitarian church building, to the Unitarian church of Atlanta, to permit the Unitarian church in Atlanta to place a mortgage on the same, and thereafter to re-convey the equity of redemption to the American Unitarian Association to hold upon the same terms as at present; and to execute, acknowledge, and deliver any deeds or other instruments necessary to accomplish such conveyance.

Archivist: Omitted meeting minutes after this section.

Source: The Christian Register found in Google Books, Vol. 95, No. 39, Sep 28, 1916, Page: 21 (933)

Review of Southern Unitarian Expansion by Rev. Chaney - 1916

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Some Notes on Unitarian Church Extension in the South
By George Leonard Chaney
Read at the Southern Conference held in Richmond, VA.

Grenfell of Labrador says: “When you set out to commend your gospel to men who don’t particularly want it, there is only one way to set about it—to do something for them which they will be able to understand.”

To do something for them which they would understand – to do something helpful – not merely or chiefly to say something intelligible – that is the way to set about church extension at the South and elsewhere. The credentials of his mission which Jesus sent to John the Baptist were things to see as well as hear: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up and the poor have gospel preached to them.

When I came South in 1881—82, thirty odd years ago, it was with the desire to help our Southern brethren to redeem their waste places and to make straight paths to walk in. If I had been a farmer or an engineer, I should have preached the gospel of diversified crops and good roads, and lent a hand to make them; but being only a Unitarian minister, what I had to offer them was a Unitarian church and gospel. Happily, the gospel was worth giving, and its fitness (if applied) to give peace and progress to those who accepted it was of proved excellence. A ministry of fourteen years in its service in Boston and of eight years in Atlanta, had given me some preparedness for the task in Richmond, and I took it up, as the first and most important thing I could do, as Southern superintendent for the American Unitarian Association, to which office I had been elected. The minute I felt free to leave Atlanta I came to Richmond to live, and from this point as a centre to carry on the work at large.

Richmond

Richmond was then, and is still, the Jerusalem of the South, whither the tribes go up. I would rather see a strong, earnest, living and life-giving church of our kind in Richmond than in half a dozen less exemplary cities. I call it exemplary because men do take example at it, and what is well done there is likely to do well elsewhere. It is therefore a hope fulfilled when I find myself today in a church of the good-will and sober second thought, as I like to regard our ecclesiastical body. Other men have labored, and we have entered into the fruit of their labors. The noble army of martyrs has had its following in the goodly fellowship of the prophets who in faithful succession have carried on the work here, – Chaney, Seaton, Robinson, Bowser, Pratt. Each has done his part, but no one of us, I think, quite equaled in staying quality and readiness for self—sacrifice those stanch lay members of our church, who to this day champion and support its cause. Some of them have moved to other places, but none to other opinions; some have fallen by the way, but with such joy in believing, that they have proved their religion as good to die by as to live with. Their memory commends to those who knew them the faith that made them faithful. These and their partners were the martyrs whose blood is said to be the seed of the Church.

It ought also to be remembered in any just memorial of this church that, although it was newly begun in 1890, it was built upon an old foundation. The Unitarian religion was indigenous in Virginia, and had its church, first called Unitarian-Universalist or Independent Christian in 1829 – 30.

Channing, when a young man teaching in the family of Randolph, learned here the charitable temper which made him always able to distinguish between the evil of slavery, which he hated, and the excellent people many of whom were its conscientious custodians; and Dr. E. H. Chapin, the most distinguished Universalist preacher of his day, was a minister in the church in Richmond, early in his ministry.

Jefferson, as you know, predicted that in a hundred years every young man in America would be a Unitarian. His prophecy was not so far wrong as it may seem, for everybody knows that a rational reading of Christianity and modern science has practically brought the working creed of all the churches to the same saving conclusion, that God is one and that his mercy is everlasting—the foundation principles of the Unitarian gospel.

This church died in the Civil War. Two solitary women, the last of the confessed members of the old-time Unitarian-Universalist church, when they came to its tomb, with their spices and ointments, rejoiced together to find it not dead but risen.

The old church edifice was standing in 1890, but in no sense serviceable. The only relic of it remaining is one of its pulpit chairs. From this chair, as from a genuine cathedral (ex cathedra), your word of counsel and fellowship, never of ecclesiastical authority, goes forth to all the churches of the Southern Conference and bids them welcome to Richmond and to Richmond’s early faith.

With the new beginning of our church here, began that system of local superintendency of the Southern churches, which is the condition of all effective church extension. The pity of it is that it was ever intermitted, as it was in 1896.

Today with late repentance, although, happily, not of the death-bed variety, the Association begins again its missionary mobilization under trained officers, and the minister of the church in Richmond is the field secretary of the American Unitarian Association.

We had an organ then, the Southern Unitarian, and it was my business, as its editor and superintendent for the South, to see that the churches, alliances, societies, and individual believers of our immense diocese reported in it every month. The map of the Southern field as published in an early number of this magazine, with its stars locating our societies, formed or proposed, and the places where we had interested correspondents, looked like a celestial map and was itself, as Mrs. Kate Gannett Wells declared, the only argument needed for the maintenance and development of the Southern field.

I believe that the selection of the South as pre-eminently our missionary opportunity was the real test of the capacity of Unitarianism for the work of church extension. Not the line of least resistance, but the place of greatest need, is the true course of missions.

The women of The Alliance saw this from the first and gave to the Southern work their hearty support and substantial assistance.

There was work enough outside this city for any ordinary superintendent, and the only way in which it was possible to meet the needs of Richmond and attend to the field at large, was to get a second man as assistant. Mr. Joseph M. Seaton, then a recent graduate of the Meadville Theological School, came to the rescue and did excellent work here and hereabouts. We made a Sunday visit, I recall, to Norfolk, and I like to remember it as the very acme of my missionary career. I went first, and Seaton was to follow on the succeeding Sunday. With my not infrequent enemy, the weather, I had a rainy Sunday, and the morning congregation consisted of the janitor. I doubt if any zealous advocate of a new and worthy cause ever had a less responsive audience. But no, I take that back. My wife was there, and between the musical offerings of the service, which she accompanied and for the most part was, she occupied the otherwise empty benches and gave attentive hearing to the preached word. Oh, we put it through, congregation or no congregation, and, although I do not remember a word of the sermon or what we sang, I do remember a sort of sublime feeling that after that we were ready for any service which might be put upon us.

In the evening a beggarly half-dozen turned out, and among them was a man who has since made a great reputation for himself as preacher, reformer, and editor. I heard him address a thousand people in the Plaza Theatre at St. Petersburg, Fla., the other Sunday, at a temperance rally; but I did not see any evidence of conversion to our faith in Rev. Sam Small’s sermon. His free and forcible use of hell and damnation in the disposition of his opponents was a prominent feature in his discourse.

Mr. Seaton had a better reception on the Sunday following my voice crying in the wilderness. I am thankful to hear that after many years Norfolk is looking our way, and that better seed and cultivation are promising better results.

If there ever was a State which deserved freedom and utility in religion, Virginia is that State. She breathed the breath of life into our sires when they fainted for independence, and nothing but the dead-weight of a belated and inconsistent economic order kept her from her birthright. It is our privilege to help her to come to her own in a church of freedom in religion. To do so would be to reinstate the lifelong faith of Jefferson and Marshall, and to match the passion of Patrick Henry for liberty with a religion and a church which, like Channing, its most illustrious leader, is always young for liberty.

But I am forgetting that you expect of me only stray leaves from my church-extension notes at the South, not pulpit oratory. Thus far I have spoken under the spell of the place and confined myself to Richmond reminiscences, which is really beginning at the end. Atlanta was the open door through which we entered the South. It was open only a crack, and we had to push a little to get in. A letter of introduction from my friend, Edward Atkinson of Boston, to Gov. Colquitt of Atlanta won for me the use of the Senate Chamber for a couple of Sundays, and there an audience of seventy people gave me their attention, while I preached to them the Unitarian gospel.

Atlanta

There was more curiosity than sympathy in that congregation, and more of courtesy – that unfailing Southern grace – than of either. So far as I knew, there was only one family of Unitarians in Atlanta. In this family there were three members, and two of them were unable to listen to preaching because of deafness. But they were highly esteemed in that community, and their friends made up in large part the not unfriendly body of my hearers. The man of this family had said, in an hour of zealous affection for the liberal cause, that he would give a thousand dollars to see a Unitarian church in Atlanta.

So loud a call from Macedonia as that could not fail of a response from our missionary body. They had sent a young minister to spy out the land, who promptly returned with the tidings of “nothing doing” or to be done in Atlanta. I was then a member of the Executive Board of the Association and very zealous in sending other ministers into the field. So, for very shame, when I was asked to go myself, I could not refuse.

After our two Sundays in the Senate Chamber, came Concordia Hall, – discordant memory, – where for six mortal months I made trial of my faith. It rained precisely forty days and forty nights in succession that season in Atlanta, but the floods did not reach us in the third story. On my return to Boston, after this inquisitorial expedition to the South, I was unable to report much progress, far less to ask an extension of time. In the exact language of my report, I said that, “with all eternity before me and the American Unitarian Association behind,” I believed a Unitarian church could be planted in Atlanta.

Eight years later, when the thing was done, I used to say that after that experience I would undertake to raise a church in the desert of Sahara. Robert Collyer used to call it, in his homely way, “Dip up a church,” as if all one had to do was to bring his pail to the waters and thrust it in.

The time would fail me if I should undertake to chronicle in detail all the tortures of the faithful few who wrought righteousness, and out of weakness were made strong; and yet “having obtained a good report through faith they received not the promise, God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”

Suffice it to say that in Atlanta, as elsewhere, a lot of patience had to be added to faith before our church was established. The Egyptian contract of making bricks without straw was easy compared to the later business of making walls without bricks.

We had another winter of discontent in the Supreme Court Room, in the Government Post – office building, of which a not unfriendly critic said that she would not go to that Yankee Courthouse to hear Saint Paul preach. Needless to say that she did not come to hear me.

However, inside of fifteen months, thanks to individual friends inside and outside the church, we had a really truly church building of our own, with an adjoining property which paid the Association five per cent on its loan and two hundred dollars over, toward the support of our society.

In ten years this property increased in value from seven thousand five hundred dollars to forty thousand, and today if it were in the market would bring one hundred thousand. Thus the Association received its own with usury, and the new church in Atlanta today is in a better situation than it had before, and the original site is occupied by the Carnegie Library, in which, under the name of the Young Men’s Library, our church was most interested. Indeed, our church library of fifteen hundred volumes was the first really free library in the city, and its travelling libraries began that mission of light.

By way of illustration of the text from Grenfell with which we set out, I may be allowed to say that we consoled ourselves for the limitation of our Sunday opportunities by distinct and permanent contribution to education, charity, social invigoration, and administrative reform— in a word, by doing things which could be understood. The Artisan’s Institute, which began in our church, laid the foundation for the Georgia Institute of Technology, now the pride and reliance of the State. Atlanta University for the Freedmen added to its curriculum education in handwork in workshop and garden. Our Literature and Art Club and the History Class, now in its thirtieth year, united in the amenities of belles-lettres the people divided by the asperities of party religion. The Home for the Friendless and the Industrial School, with its domestication of the poorer white girls, showed how possible it was to be charitable without the lust for ecclesiastical increase, and the Woman’s Exchange offered to the proudly poor a means of alleviating their poverty without sacrifice of their just pride. I mention these specific things because they show what I mean by church extension, by world inclusion in whatever makes for the common good.

With the planting of the church in Atlanta, other things became possible.

Chattanooga

The church in Chattanooga soon followed, – an infant crying in the night and fed by evening services from Atlanta after the morning service there was over. Then in 1884, at the dedication of the Atlanta church, the Southern Conference was formed, a process requiring more make-believe than reality at the start. With Charleston and New Orleans half a continent apart, and Atlanta midway between them, and with Louisville, Baltimore, and Washington already united to other Conferences, what was there wherewith to make a Southern Conference? There was Cincinnati, with its ever-friendly minister, George A. Thayer, and his church, and Washington, which, belonging to us all, knows no limit to its fraternity, and there was Chattanooga, still in its long-clothes.

Other Societies

Later on, with the young societies in Asheville, Highlands, N.C., Memphis, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Fort Worth in Texas, the churches in Richmond and Highland Springs, the circuit work of Rev. J. C. Gibson in Florida, and of Mr. Dukes in North Carolina, and Mr. Shultz in Texas, and scattered believers in all the Southern States who were found and fed by our Women’s Alliances and, last but not least in importance, our elder sister societies in St. Louis, Baltimore, and Louisville, acknowledging their kinship and allegiance to us, we had a Southern Conference worthy of the name. That Conference, therefore, in its present session must not think itself a recent accomplishment. Before 1896 there were four organized societies in Texas, a ministry-at-large under the devoted Shultz, and no end of corresponding friends throughout the State. Memphis had as worthy and hopeful a church as was ever ruined by ministerial misfit and administrative misfortune. Asheville, a city set on a hill, had its light kept burning. That daydream in which your president indulges of a society in Birmingham was almost a reality in 1890, and prevented only by the wrong man in the right place; and Nashville had heard the word preached as only the wise and saintly Tilden could preach it.

With so much begun in the way of church extension at the South, and with the sane and sensible method of local superintendency working well enough till we could do better, it would seem that something promising if not wholly adequate to the size and importance of the field might be done in the Unitarian name here.

What should hinder, one might ask, our cooling gospel from going on to conquer and to be conquered—for both are parts of the same progress in religion? Nothing but mistakes, misgivings, misappointments alias disappointments, such as enter into all organized religion and make one wonder sometimes whether any form of religion can keep its religion without parting with its organization.

In spite of these things, our pacifying campaign has gone on, and today, with recovered sense and seasoned wisdom, we meet to take up the work anew.

I congratulate the Southern Conference that it meets in Richmond in a church so sweetly old-fashioned that it looks as if it had been here a hundred years, as, in fact, its spirit, thought, and life have been and are, – the spirit of liberty, the sober, second thought of justice, the life that spends its life and in spending lives anew.

Source: The Christian Register found in Google Books, Vol. 94, No. 20, May 18, 1916, Pages: 11  – 13 (467 – 469)

Comments on Southern Churches: Atlanta, Orlando, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Southern Letter.

Most notable perhaps of happenings in the Southland during the last month was the dedication of the graceful and convenient new church building of our society at Atlanta. Toward this event the Unitarians of this city have been working for many months, and the completion of this beautiful structure opens a new chapter in the history of our liberal cause, not only in Atlanta itself, but to a degree in the whole South.

For at Atlanta perhaps we have a more significant meeting of the South that has been and the South that is crowding to be than in any other city below Mason and Dixon’s line. The fine old tradition of the South “before the war” is surely here,—tenacious, self-respecting, and nobly conservative of the best,—but as surely here the bustle and eager activity of a metropolis of new things with face set valiantly forward.

In a certain sense our church represents the later phase of city life more than the former, in some respects being too much identified with the “Northern influence” for its own good. But in honest fact this is only seeming, for our church in Atlanta is a true “Southern church” in the best values of that phrase, and has the confidence of all classes of people in the city. (Archivist: Emphasis added)

The dedication took place on Sunday, November 7, with Rev. William I. Lawrance of Boston preaching a most fitting sermon of dedication with impressive dignity and earnestness. Peculiarly welcome on the programme was the presence of the founder and first pastor of the church. Rev. George L. Chaney, whose influence was so potent in extending the liberal faith in all parts of the South at a critical stage in our denominational life. President Ware of Atlanta University also had an important part in the programme. Dr. J. Wade Conkling and his wide-awake and winsome wife are surely doing a good work here, which the adjunct of the new building will greatly facilitate.

Orlando, Florida 

From Orlando, Fla., comes a cheery letter of optimism and sturdy resolve from what its correspondent styles “a little church around the corner.” Rev. Eleanor E. Gordon has this church in charge, spending her winters here, and preaching services extend only from the middle of October to the middle of April, as the larger part of the congregation is made up of “winter-people.” But the Sunday-school has continued all summer, under the faithful direction of Mr. T. L. Hawes. A most effective factor in the usefulness of this church is the Unity Circle, which meets every Wednesday afternoon and pursues a varied and stimulating programme of studies of celebrities in literature, modern drama, and other walks of life. On Sunday evenings the Round Table meets, with a well-devised programme arranged to cover the whole winter’s work. “The Children’s Hour for Story and Play,” con ducted by Mrs. Stanley, is also a unique feature in our work here.

Oklahoma City 

Our church in Oklahoma City is trying out an interesting experiment for the Sunday evening problem. This is exclusively a “men’s affair,” and so there is “something to eat,”—a luncheon served at the regular place of service, the Musical Art Institute, —groups of three men in turn providing for the table, with a modest charge for each meal. All the men of the church are invited thus to meet “for informal sociability and increase of acquaintanceship, as well as for information gained concerning the world of affairs and its duties,” as a card of invitation reads. Such men as City Attorney Shear, District Judge Clark, and Attorney General Freeling have addressed these meetings, and so far the experiment is proving a great success. The new pastor, Rev. C. S. Boswell, is gaining the confidence of the whole community as well as his own people, and the work progresses well. A quite crowded “Datefinder” which comes to our hands records for one week a wide range of expectancies and activities, including one wedding.

Dallas, Texas 

The church at Dallas, Tex., is always wide-awake, and a recent letter tells of brisk beginnings for the winter. With Prof. Kreissig at the organ, and an excellent quartet engaged for the season through voluntary subscriptions, the musical parts of the services are assured of success, and the frequent publication of Mr. Gilmour’s sermons in the local press extends widely the influence of the church. The Sunday school has commenced more auspiciously than in other years. It is able to support itself through its weekly collections; the new Beacon Series of lessons for the younger children is proving most satisfactory; attendance has increased steadily, and nearly twenty-five per cent, of the school below the adult class has a record of perfect attendance for two years. The adult class, under the leadership of Mr. E. N. Willis, is studying the origin and development of the New Testament. The Women’s Alliance began its work with a business meeting, October 13, when plans for the year were formulated, and Mr. Elmer Scott, city director of public welfare, gave a stirring address on “How the Church may assist in the Work of Public Welfare.” The ladies agreed to co-operate with the welfare board in charity work. At the social meeting of The Alliance, October 27, Mrs. Stenger lectured upon Moliere’s plays, giving interesting readings from “The Forced Marriage” and “The Doctor in Spite of Himself.” An interesting course is outlined in the dramatic study class for future social meetings. A dramatic club recently organized among the young people will present plays after the church suppers. The Young People’s Religious Union meets on alternate Sunday evenings, and has formulated for itself the following aims : ” To inspire our members to the study of the lives of great examples in the conduct of life ; to develop in our minds the spirit of unbiased truth-seeking; to develop in our hearts the spirit of sympathy, loyalty, and unselfish service to humanity; to fit ourselves for intelligent and useful membership in the Unitarian church.”

Austin, Texas

At Austin, Tex., Rev. Benjamin R. Bulkeley has been spending two months in active work, and finds some genuine encouragements in the field there. About twenty-five people connected with the University are discovered to be interested in our cause,—mainly among the faculty, — and as many more from the townspeople. The great handicap to our work here is the impossibility of finding a suitable place for services near the University. The only hall available is the Firehouse Hall down town, used oftener for dances and festive functions than for religious services. While in Austin Mr. Bulkeley gave a lecture on “Old Concord” to an audience of over two hundred and fifty University people at the Young Men’s Christian Association Auditorium, and he was invited to take part in five of the University chapel services. The people in Austin are hoping that the Association will be able to send a minister to follow up Mr. Bulkeley’s efficient services, for the rest of the season.

 

San Antonio

At San Antonio the young people of the Junior Alliance have just given a unique little three-act children’s play, entitled “Grandmother of the Winds,” which netted a nice little sum for the building fund, and served also to arouse the children them selves to renewed enthusiasm. Our Sunday school is a little bit of a thing quantitively, but is very much alive. We need so much a church home of our own, for the development of these things! The women of The Alliance have already begun “the small beginnings” of a building fund, dividing themselves into committees of two, each pair undertaking to raise $25 toward the building before the year is closed. Mr. Badger has announced a course of sermons on Some Modern American Types, and What We May Learn from Them: 1. “Theodore Roosevelt: Apostle of Strenuosity ” ; 2. “Billy Sunday: A Hustler for Religion ” ; 3. “Judge Benjamin Lindsey, Champion of Childhood”; 4. “The Younger Rockefeller, and What he is Learning”; 5. “Jane Addams: a Woman Who Can.

A. H. B.

Source: The Christian Register found in Google Books, Vol. 94, No. 47, Nov 25, 1915, Page: 18 (1122)

Dedication of New Unitarian Church in Atlanta - 1915

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Department of Religious Education
Atlanta
William Lawrance, Secretary

The dedication of the new church at Atlanta, Ga., which took place on the 7th of November, was an event of unusual interest.  In its short eventful history the Atlanta church has built and dedicated in turn three such houses of worship.  Changes in membership and the trend of business in the city, which has crowded homes more and more into the suburbs, have made these transitions necessary.  Until the recent past the devoted few who were loyal to the cause struggled through a period of depression which came to a happy issue in the sale of the church then occupied and the prospects of anew home for their church activities.  By a fortunate combination of circumstances, a desirable location,  admirably high skill in architecture and building were secured.  The people determined that, whatever else might be, the new church must be beautiful to look upon and of such structure and finish as to make it directly conductive to a spirit of worship.  In these respects they have been remarkably successful, the result being a church which will rank among the most beautiful small churches the writer has ever had the privilege of seeing.

Dedication Day (November 7) was filled with glorious sunshine.  The secretary of this Department, having been with the Atlanta people for a succession of days in their darker hours, was called upon to lead them in their service of rejoicing.  After speaking to each of the two sections of the Sunday school, he preached the dedication sermon.  In the service he was assisted by the pastor of the church, Rev. J. Wade Conkling, by President Edward T. Ware of Atlanta University, and by Rev. George L. Chaney, the first pastor in Atlanta.  The church was filled to the doors with an expectant congregation.  A choir of nine trained voices led the inspiringly music, and an admirable service of dedication, compiled by Dr. Conkling, was read by the minister and the people.  At the close of the service, as announced in the printed order of the day, there occurred a brief ceremony of the most impressive character.  A window in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Chaney had been placed in the front of the church.  As both those in whose honor the window was thus given were present at this service, it seemed fitting that this feature of the building should have its special dedication.  Dr. Conkling led Dr. and Mrs. Chaney to the window, offered a most fitting prayer, and from that position pronounced the benediction.

The exercises of the dedication continued through several succeeding days.  On Sunday evening and again on Tuesday evening the secretary of this department preached.  On Monday evening a reception was given to Dr. and Mrs. Chaney, at which Dr. Chaney made one of his inimitable addresses, Mr. Lawrance following briefly.  On Tuesday afternoon the infant daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Conkling was consecrated, the service being performed by Mr. Lawrance.

The presence of Dr. and Mrs. Chaney at these services of dedication was most highly appreciated.  Their early association with the church and city, their genial natures, ripened through many years of thought and labor, and their unabated zeal for the cause, made them the center of affectionate attention.  Dr. Chaney’s able address on “Southern Peacemakers I have Known” was repeated, by request for the benefit of a larger circle of hearers, and his tender and witty remarks at the reception of Monday night was one of notable incidents of the feast of dedication.

The Atlanta people feel that the have more than a fighting chance for success.  Indication point, indeed, to a satisfactory outcome for all their anxieties and labors.

Source:  The Christian Register found in Google Books, Vol. 94, No. 47,  November 15, 1915, Page: 18 (1126)

Dedication of West Peachtree Unitarian Church - 1915

1 January 2014 at 00:00
The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) - Mon, Nov 8, 1915 - Page 7

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Mon, Nov 8, 1915 – Page 7

UNITARIAN CHURCH
DEDICATED SUNDAY

Impressive dedicatory ceremonies were held for the Unitarian church of Atlanta at 301 West Peachtree street Sunday morning at 11 o’clock. Additional exercises were held last night at 8 o’clock, while others are proposed for tonight at 6:30 o’clock, tomorrow afternoon at 3 o’clock and tomorrow night at 8 o’clock.

Rev. William L Lawrence, president of the department of religious education of the Unitarian churches of the United States and Canada, delivered the dedicatory sermon He said in part that the church, like the individual, was a channel through which the spirit of God is to manifest itself The text was selected from the prophecy of Isaiah, “Prepare ye the highway of our God and cast up the highways cast out the stones.”

The address by Dr. George Leonard Chaney was filled with apt allusions and stirring appeals to the work and purpose of the church Dr. Chaney’s presence in Atlanta and in this particular service was the occasion of renewing many pleasant acquaintances made in the city twenty five years ago. There were many out to hear him, and meet him and Mrs. Chaney.

One of the features of the dedication was the responses and prayers by the minister and congregation. The selections were well chosen and all entered their reading with enthusiasm.

The hymn of dedication was written by the minister, Dr. J. W. Conkling.

A most beautiful closing of the services was in the prayer of dedication of the art window which was installed in esteemed honor of Dr. and Mrs. Chaney.

The services will continue through Tuesday evening.

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Mon, Nov 8, 1915 – Page 7

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Dedication of West Peachtree Unitarian Church with History - 1915

1 January 2014 at 00:00

 

Unitarian Church of Atlanta The Atlanta Constitution Nov 7, 1915

Unitarian Church of Atlanta
The Atlanta Constitution Nov 7, 1915

To Dedicate Unitarian Church Today with Special ServicesHistory of the Church

Dedication exercises will be held today of the Unitarian church of which Rev, J. Wade Conkling is pastor. The ceremonies will be held in the church at 301 West Peachtree Street, Rev. Conkling presiding.

Several attempts had been made to establish a liberal church in Atlanta that rapidly growing and aggressive center of the new south, but it was not till the early 80’s under the able and devoted leadership of Rev. and Mrs. George L. Chaney that these efforts were crowned with success. The First Unitarian church of Atlanta was organized on Tuesday March 27, 1883 in room No. 7, Kimball house.

At this auspicious meeting it was decided to secure a lot and erect a building. Before the close of that year a chapel was completed and regular services were being held. The new church home was called “The Church of Our Father” and in this name was dedicated April 23, 1884. The structure occupied by the congregation was one of unusual beauty. The building was of half-timber and half brick construction with high arched roofs covered with red tile. Windows were pointed and fitted with small panes of colored glass. Front and rear elevations had large wheel windows in stained glass. The interior was finished in Georgia pine, oil finish, which grew more beautiful as it became tempered by age. It was a cathedral in miniature and a shrine to many who found here their first church home. During Its fifteen years of existence the little church was particularly fortunate in having its pulpit filled by so many of the great and illustrious of the liberal faith. Its roster bears the names of James Freeman Clark, Edward Everett Hale, Julia Ward Howe, Brooke Herford, P. P. Tilden, James de Normande, Frances G. Peabody, Robert Collyer, George Batchelor and many others of equal prominence.

Mr. Chaney remained in charge of the Atlanta work till November, 1890, and was succeeded by Rev. W. R. Cole, who accepted the call of the church in July 1891.

The decennial anniversary of the organization of the church was celebrated on April 5, 1893. Mr. Cole resigned his office as pastor of the church on October 1, 1895. During the winter months the pulpit was filled by temporary supplies. On April 20, 1896, Rev. V. S. Vail, the third minister, was called to the pastorate of the church.

At a meeting of the church held on September 26, 1899, it was voted to accept an offer to the trustees from the Carnegie library, of $20,500, for the church property with all the buildings thereon. It was further voted to turn over to the A. U. A. the entire proceeds of the sale, and to take steps towards selecting a new site.

On November 10, 1899, Mr. Vail resigned as pastor to accept a call from the Unity church, Sioux City, Iowa.

The committee appointed for the purpose of selecting a new site for the church and to present plans for the same, reported at a meeting held January 8, 1900, that a lot on the corner of Spring and Cain streets had been purchased.

A call was extended at this time to Rev. Clarence Langston, of Boston, Mass. to become minister of the church. After the resignation of Mr. Vail, and until Mr. Langston assumed his pastoral duties, lay services were conducted by our fellow member, C. C. Chillingworth.

The first meeting in the new building was held on November 9, 1900 and the dedicatory services were held on the following Sunday, Dr. Samuel Eliot being present as the representative of the A. U. A.

A New Covenant and Constitution.

At the annual meeting on January 14, 1901, a new covenant and constitution were adopted and it was proposed to change the name of the church, which motion was lost.

At a meeting held on Sunday, April 17, 1904, more than three years later, the name was voted changed from “The Church of Our Father” to “The Unitarian Church of Atlanta.”

On May 15, 1905, Rev. C. A. Langston resigned as pastor of the church, and immediately joined the Episcopal church in this city.

Lay services were held through the summer months until a call was extended to Moor Sanborn, of New York, to become minister of the church, which position he held till August of the following year.

In October of the same year the church was honored by having as it pastor and leader one of the patriarchs of the Unitarian faith, the Rev. Rush R. Shippen, formerly minister of the Unitarian church of Washington, D. C. Rev. Shippen remained in charge of the church till June 1907.

In August, 1907, Rev. A. T. Bowser, of Wilmington, Del., accepted the call of the church as its minister, and remained in active work of the church till May 1, 1908.

In the fall of that year Rev. John W. Rowlett, late of the Texas M. E. conference, held several services and was extended a call to become the regular minister of the church. Mr. Rowlett took up his duties in September, 1909, and served the church as minister till September, 1911, when he resigned.

Dr. J. Wade Conkling, late a member of the Christian church in Kentucky and a volunteer for medical services in the Mission hospital of Deoghouer, Bengal, India, was asked by the pulpit supply committee to come with Mrs. Conkling and visit for a month in Atlanta and preach for the congregation. At a meeting held December, 1911, Dr. Conkling was called to be the minister of the church.

In the spring of 1913, the site at Spring and Cain streets was sold for a goodly sum and a new location at 301-303 West Peachtree purchased for a new home of the church. In October, 1914, the new plans being complete and all financial arrangements accomplished, the building of the new edifice was begun. William A. Edwards, an accomplished and able architect, furnished the plans. William J. Saywood, his experienced assistant aided him. Calvin   Shelverton was the builder. The building speaks for itself, both in design and workmanship.

Source: The Atlanta Constitution Nov 7, 1915

Report by Dr. Ellenwood Report State of Universalist Church in Atlanta, Jul 1908

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Report of the First Universalist Church of Atlanta, Ga.
Rev. Everett Dean Ellenwood—For Board of Trustees

We extend to the members of this Convention our hearty greetings, and desire at this time to express our genuine gratitude for your prompt and continued cooperation in the work which we are trying to do for the cause of Universalism in the New South. We are grateful that we are able to bring to you a report which we feel to be an encouraging and a prophetic one, and which must have been largely impossible without your fostering care.

In many respects, the year marks an epoch in the history of our church. We witness an increasing interest in our message. A growing spirit of tolerance is manifest in our community. The minister is extended the courtesy of other platforms. We have demonstrated that we have a work to do.

Though obliged to weather a financial storm which struck our faithful little band with tremendous force, we are yet able to come up to this Convention with all current obligations paid in full, and, more than that, we have, during the year, paid off the last remnant of our floating debt, paid the installments on our new organ as they became due, and have added a substantial amount to our “basement fund.”

The year has indeed been a busy one, and in the main a joyous one, but life’s solemn, disciplining experiences have not been wanting. The shadow of bereavement has repeatedly fallen upon us, and certain loved ones, most loyal and most necessary to us, now labor with us no more.

Membership and Attendance. During the year we have added nine members to our list, but we have also lost four: one who withdrew from us to join another fellowship, three who have been promoted to the Church Triumphant. It is hard indeed to accustom ourselves to the sight of their vacant chairs in our little circle.

During the year 14 of our members have removed from the city, so that our total membership at this date numbers 128, classified as 78 resident members and 50 non-resident.

I have made a still further classification and discover that we have 62 active resident, while of the total number of our resident members, 16 of them must in all truthfulness be classified as “inactive.” I know that these latter figures do not make very encouraging reading, but I am determined that this body shall always know conditions with us as they actually exist, and in this instance I am glad indeed to tell the plain truth in order that you may better appreciate the splendid achievements of this faithful, energetic, and courageous little band.

The attendance has been encouraging since the beginning of the present pastorate, and particularly so since January 1, 1908. During the past six months, our attendance at the morning services has averaged 150 per cent of our actual active resident membership. Evening services were held from January 1 to May 17, and amply justified the effort, the attendance ranging from 25 to 150. Many strangers are present at every service, particularly at night; in fact the evening congregations are usually 90 per cent strangers. The proportion of men in our services is always very gratifying, in the evening often reaching as high as 75 per cent of the entire attendance. And the way these people make away with the denominational literature with which we always try to keep a table supplied, is at once encouraging and appalling.

We have been most fortunate in having for the greater part of the year, the services of an excellent volunteer choir of fine trained voices, under the competent leadership of a talented musician for whose services we are able to pay only a nominal sum. In addition to her service in this capacity, she has trained and directed a company of sixty-five young people, who, this spring, repeated their successful entertainment of last year, the “Deestrick Skule,” and realized the neat sum of $420 for the improvement of the church.

This part of my report would be incomplete without grateful acknowledgment of the splendid services of our organist, Dr. H. Hitchcock, who, though one of the busiest men of the city, has not only gladly contributed his services as organist for the past two years, but is also chiefly responsible for the presence in our church of the splendid new organ for which we are paying in monthly installments.

Ladies’ Mission Circle.   This splendid organization has had a memorable year, in many ways one of the very best in its history. Although the society has only an active membership of twenty, it has been able to accomplish much work during the year. It has cooperated with the Y. P. C. U. in promoting the financial welfare. The society continues its membership in the Associated Charities, the Home for Incurables, and the Home for Aged Women. The society has furnished needed relief in several cases furnished them by the Associated Charities.

Financially this has been a banner year for the society. The receipts for the year amount to $594.35, realized from regular dues, “rummage sales,” collections in “mite boxes,” sales of fancy work, collections for the Shinn Memorial Fund, a share of the proceeds of the bazaar and the “Destrick Skule” and other miscellaneous receipts.

The disbursements have amounted to $314.90. A pledge of $12.50 per month toward the current expenses of the church has been promptly met the dues in the three charitable institutions before mentioned have been paid, $10.00 paid to the Shinn Memorial Fund, an offering made to the Japan Mission and to the State Missionary, dues paid to the National organization, assistance rendered the local Y. P. C. U., and there remains in the treasury a balance of $279.45, which is to be used in cleaning, renovating and redecorating the interior of the church during the vacation period.

Sunday School. The Sunday school has been in session each Sunday in the year with the exception of the months of July and August, with an average enrollment of thirty-eight and an average attendance of twenty-six. Christmas, Easter, and Children’s Day, were appropriately observed, our Christmas service being made beautiful again this year by a splendid tree from the forests of Maine, presented and decorated by our faithful organist and his wife. The school has paid promptly its pledge to the current expenses of the church of 60 cents per week, has paid its own current expenses, and has a balance of $7.60 on hand.

The “Blue and White” button system has recently been adopted to increase attendance and membership, but it is too early to report results. The International system of lessons is used.

Y. P. C. U. For apparently sufficient reasons, it was deemed expedient to discontinue the devotional meetings of the Union, early in the winter. As a social and business organization, however, the Union has proved one of the most valuable allies of the church, throughout the year. During the fall and early winter a series of suppers was given, at first weekly, and later semi-monthly. The object was not finance but fellowship, and the results were all that could be desired, and still the enterprise proved self-supporting. The Union has raised $454.59 and now has total resources amounting to $602.95.

One hundred dollars was paid to the church for current expenses, $10 to the Sunday school, $30.64, into the organ fund. The dues to the National Union, and the special pledge for missions made at Boston last year, have been paid, together with certain miscellaneous incidental expenses, and a balance of $426.63, added to our ever growing basement fund.

Basement Fund. This fund, which has now reached the encouraging dimensions of $539.63, is in the savings bank at 4 per cent, interest and is being accumulated for the purpose of finishing the basement of the church. It represents the enterprise and loyalty of our young people, as expressed in practical fashion during the past two years. This fund is not available far any other purpose than the one named.

Organ Fund. This is the fund established to provide for the payment of the balance still due on our new organ. A balance of $42.76 was carried over from the last report, the regular payments on the organ have been promptly met as they have become due.

Treasurer’s Report. The Treasurer’s Report shows the following items. In presenting this report, however, it should be borne in mind that it does not contain the amounts of the current expenses for June, as this report was presented at our parish meeting June 22, before the bills for that month had become due. These bills have, however, all been paid, so that at present we have no outstanding obligations, save the balance of $350 still due on our organ, and payable at $10 per month.

RECEIPTS
Balance from last year

$35.72

Woman’s Mission Circle pledge

$145.00

   Local Y. P. C. U.

$100.00

   Organ Fund

$160.00

   Special Collections

$149.35

   Miscellaneous plate Collections

$223.42

   Regular pledge subscriptions

$624.32

Total

$1398.81

DISBURSEMENTS
Pastor

$687.50

Music

$160.00

Paid on Organ

$110.00

Notes and Interest

$117.75

Janitor

$70.46

Lights and Water

$42.66

Fuel

$33.50

Repairs and Improvements

$46.36

Printing and Postage

$32.45

Miscellaneous Expense

$39.00

Bal. on hand

$59.13

Total

$1398.81

It is indeed a great satisfaction to us to be able to report to this convention, that your Atlanta Church is at present out of debt.

The Convention will doubtless find some interest in some further statistics furnished showing the amount of money raised by the Atlanta parish, entirely exclusive of regular current expenses, since the beginning of the present pastorate, Dec. 1, 1905.

Amount owed on former pastor’s salaries

$404.18

Still due on piano

$170.00

Expended for repairs and improvements

$234.57

Raised in present organ fund

$245.00

Now on hand in “basement fund”

$539.00

For renovating redecorating church

$279.45

Total amount raised since Dec. 1, 1905 in addition to regular current expenses $1872.20 

Only one somewhat intimately acquainted with the financial condition of the members of this loyal, enthusiastic little band of Universalists can fully appreciate the genuine sacrifice connected with this very encouraging showing. There is certainly every reason to believe that these people have in their hearts the spirit to cause every consecrated dollar so freely sown in Atlanta by your loyalty and your love, to bring forth abundantly and win every apathetic doubter in our denomination to the cause of missions.

Report of Pastor—The activities of the pastor, so far as they may be represented by statistics are as follows:

Sermons preached in our own church. . . . 63

Sermons and addresses, elsewhere. . . . . . . 28

Total 91

In addition, the following devotional services have been conducted:

Home for Incurables, Atlanta . . . . . 7

Home for Aged Women, Atlanta. . . 5

Southern Unitarian Conference . . . 1

Casino at Ponce de Leon Park . . . . 3

Total 16

SUMMARY

A general survey of the work of the different departments of our church impels to the belief that substantial progress has been made during the year. Our people are united, energetic, hopeful.

New avenues of usefulness in the life of the city constantly open for us, and we are preparing ourselves to enter them. We are encouraged by the disappearance of the floating debt on our church and are determined to attempt new and larger things to justify the confidence of the National Y. P. C. U.

We are seriously handicapped in our work by lack of proper facilities for the social activities of the church. For this reason we are anxious to proceed at once to the completion of the basement; also, we shall need a new heating plant this winter, as the furnace now in the church is quite worn out; we feel that we can hardly wait for these improvements, until our basement fund has reached sufficient proportions; we are anxious to borrow the necessary funds, over and above the amount now on hand for that purpose, approximately $1000, as we believe we can secure the necessary funds for this enterprise, much more readily, when we have the rooms to assist us in our work. This is a need which we hope will be met by some of the loyal friends of the National Y. P. C. U.

We are constantly in need of convincing denominational literature, and are grateful indeed to the many friends who have remembered this need. Special subscriptions to our organ fund are constantly needed and greatly appreciated.

And always do we need your active interest in our plans and our work, the continuance of your cordial cooperation, the assurance of your patience, the strengthing sense of your fellowship and your earnest prayers that we may be able to endure as those who have “seen Him who is invisible.”

Respectfully submitted,

E. Dean Ellenwood.

 

Source:  Onward found in Google Books, Vol. XV, No. 30,   July 28, 1908, Pages: 233 – 235

Church of Our Father - Meeting Minutes May 17, 1908 (Discussion of Merger)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta Ga., May 17, 1908.

A meeting of the congregation was held following the service on this date at which there were forty seven members present. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Harding presiding. W.M. Francis acting as Clerk pro tem.

The Committee to which was referred the resignation of Doctor Bowser reported not having been able to obtain his reconsideration. Copy of their report attached herewith.

At the request of Mr. Douglas, Dr. Bowser read a letter from the A.U.A. which is attached in the original. Before reading the letter Dr. Bowser reviewed his stay among us and explained that feeling himself one of the congregations did not deem formal leave-taking as necessary. He expressed the appreciation of Mrs. Bowser and himself for the attention shown through the reception tendered by the ladies of the Alliance the Friday night previous.

Following the reading of the letter from Dr. Eliot, one from Dr. Ellenwood was read, in which an invitation was extended this Congregation to join that of the Universalist Church during such time as our pulpit might be vacant. He also stated his hope to be able to arrange for union services of both bodies in this Church during July and August. Dr. Bowser expressed the hope that this matter would be given favorable consideration.

Mr. Douglas addressed the meeting with reference to possible action looking to continuing the church through the summer; no action taken.

Miss Martin and Mr. Watts commented on remarks by Mr. Douglas, each holding out hopes that a continuation of past good feelings might be continued.

On invitation from the Central Cong. Church, it was voted to send three delegates to attend the Installation exercises on the night of May 18th Messrs Moore and Lederle with Miss Martin were appointed by the Chair.

Mr. Behre spoke on the advantages to follow the appointment of a southern Secretary and asked that some action be taken with reference to such support from this church as they felt able to give Dr. Bowser reported that the New Orleans Church had pledged itself in a substantial amount.

Mr. Douglas stated that in his opinion so long as this church was receiving aid from the A.U.A. we were hardly in a position to consider the matter.

No definite action was taken on the matter.

On motion of Mr. Lederle, Mr. T.C. Perkins was nominated for Treasurer and he was elected by full vote.

Mr. Schwoon was nominated for Clerk and his election was unanimous.

The resignation of Dr. W.A. Jackson as Trustee was accepted.

Mr. D.E. Spencer offered his resignation which was not accepted.

On motion by Mr. Lederle the vacancy caused by resignation of Mr. Jackson.

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 25   Folder: 06   Book: 01  Page: 335
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Unitarian Church of Atlanta - Meeting Minutes, May 12, 1908, 1908 (Conference Preparation)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga., May 12, 1908

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees was held this P.M. at the office of the Clerk; same being called to order at 5:10 P.M. Chairman Harding presiding.

Members present: Messrs. Behre, Spencer, Lederle, Harding, Watts.

Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

Mr. Francis reported his having conferred with Dr. Troutman regarding getting Mr. Tilley to attend and possibly speak at the Conference and that after talking with the latter, Dr. Troutman advised that Mr. Tilley was not prepared to interest himself at this time.

The committee appointed in connection with arrangements for the Conference reported their work completed.  Bills amounting to $55.66 incurred were read and were ordered paid. The committee was discharged with the thanks of the Board.

The report of Treasurer was read by the Clerk in absence of Mr. Perkins. Same showed balance on hand to date of $141.68.

Bills of Atlanta Floral Co. for $8.00 and Mr. Mueller for $12.50 were authorized paid when presented to Treasurer.

The Clerk was instructed to write Dr. Gilchrist in the name of the Board for the able sermons delivered at the services on May 10th.

A committee of three was appointed to look into the matter of getting an option on the present church property of the Christian Science people; Messrs. Behre, Watts and Lederle appointed by Chair.

The Clerk reported attendance at Church during April as follows:

Apr 5th – 56
Apr 12th – 53
Apr 19th – 59
Apr 26 – 55
Average 55.

The Property committee reported having had repairs made to one window frame and one chair. Bill of $1.00 in connection with same ordered paid.

No further business being presented, the meeting adjourned at 6.00 P.M.

Respectfully,

<unsigned>, Clerk

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 02  Book: 02  Page: 271
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

A.U.A Letter - Apr 23, 1908 To Unitarian Church of Atlanta (Unite or Die)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

A.U.A. Letterhead
American Unitarian Association
Rev. Samuel A. Eliot, D.D…………………President
Rev. Lewis G. Wilson……………………….Secretary
Mr. Francis H. Lincoln………………………Treasurer

April 23, 1908

Dear Bowser,

I have your letter of April 14th and regret to hear of the action of the congregation laying the merger proposition on the table for the present. This action makes the situation somewhat serious. I cannot help believing that further consideration will convince all the people of our Society that the only hope for the continued usefulness of the church in Atlanta is in the fulfillment of the union proposition.

This seems to me a question of “unite or die”. Union means a distinct and important forward step in the real vitalizing the liberal cause in Atlanta, the establishment of a permanent, influential, and self-supporting liberal church. Non-union apparently means the disintegration and ultimate disappearance of the Unitarian church. The members of our church who favor union obviously cannot be depended upon to retain their allegiance to our Society in its present weak and unprogressive condition. Their withdrawal will practically necessitate the closing of the enterprise. There is nothing to encourage the northern friends of the cause to believe that an influential and self-supporting church can be upbuilt in Atlanta, except in cooperation with our friends of the Universalist fellowship. Further expenditure of money for the support of a Unitarian church in Atlanta does not appear to be justified unless the proposed union proves to be impractical from the Universalist side. If it is defeated by the action of the Unitarians, the Unitarians thereby put themselves in a position where they can hardly expect to receive further financial support from their Association.

I cannot but believe that when this issue is clearly understood by our people they will act harmoniously and progressively.

There is presented to them a perfectly clear issue. Shall we go forward into efficiency, influence, and self-support, or shall we go out of existence?

I commend to you a sermon on a good text from Deuteronomy: “Behold! I have set before you life and death; therefore choose life!”

Faithfully yours,

<signed Samuel Eliot>

Archivist Note: Rev. Eliot had recently travel to Atlanta and met with both the Unitarian and Universalist congregations.  Eliot’s response to the Unitarian church decision to defer merger with the Universalists appears to be based on first hand knowledge of the situation in Atlanta Unitarian church from his recent trip to the South.

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 25   Folder: 06   Book: 01  Page: 335
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Unitarian Church of Atlanta - Meeting Minutes, Apr 14, 1908, 1908 (Attendance, Service with Universalists)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

April 14, 1908

The regular Monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees was held at the office of the Clerk on this date, the meeting being called to order at 5:10 P.M. Chairman Harding presiding.

Members present: Messrs. Behre, Lederle, Jackson, Moore, Watts, Harding.

The minutes of the last regular and two subsequent meetings were read and approved.

Letters from Mrs. J.C. Peck and Mrs. Cora P. Williams acknowledging those from the Church in connection with the death of Peck were read.

The matter of the coming Conference was discussed and a general committee to arrange the details, with power to raise and expend the necessary funds in connection with same was appointed.

Chairman Harding appointed Messrs. Behre, Lederle and Francis.

Mr. Francis was appointed a committee of one to look into the possibility of getting Mr. Tilley to be present at the conference where a place would be arranged for him to make an address should he be willing to do so.

Dr. W.A. Jackson tendered his resignation as a member of the Board but that body not having power to accept same it was referred to some future church meeting.

The resignation of Mr. J.C. Moore (Archivist: reference is incorrect. J. L. Moore is correct) as Chairman of Finance Committee was presented and as Mr. Moore would not consent to a reconsideration it was moved by Behre, seconded, that it be accepted with regret; same taking effect May 15th, 1908.

The clerk reported the attendance at the several services in March as follows:

Mar 1st – 65
Mar 8th – 63
Mar 15th – 64
Mar 29th – 63
Average – 64

No morning service held on 22d; the congregation on that day joining the Universalists at their church.

The Union evening service at our church on the evening of the 8th filled the church, there being 130 people present.

Adjourned 5:30.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 02  Book: 02  Page: 269

Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Church of Our Father - Meeting Minutes April 13, 1908 (Merger with Universalists)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga., April 13, 1908

The quarterly meeting of the Church was held this evening in the Sunday School room.

The meeting was called to order at 8:16 P.M. Chairman Harding presiding. There were 34 church members present as follows Messrs. Harding, Lederle, Watts, Behre, Taffe, Rice, Young, Smith, Jackson, Spencer, Francis, Perkins and Moore.

Of the ladies, Mrs. Lederle, Gardiner, Behre, Beardsley, Spencer, Daniels, Schumann, Francis, Smith, Moore and Brownell, together with the Misses Harding (Angie & Emma), Francis & Margaret Lederle, Behre, Barill, Martin, Estill, Ormond.

The minutes of the Annual Meeting were read and after correction of Treasurer’s balance as shown, were approved.

The Reports of the Clerk, Treasurer and Property committees were read and ordered filed. Encouraging reports were rendered by Miss Martin for the Sunday School and Mrs. Behre for the Alliance.

The report of <the> Finance committee was made by Chairman Moore of same who reviewed the financial condition and prospects.

The question of fusion with the Universalist Church was reported upon by Mr. Watts, chairman of the committee from the Trustees to meet with a like body from the Universalist Church to go into the details of the matter as a preliminary step in the matter.

At this time it appeared that no indication of the position of the national body or the Y.P.C.U. of that denomination had been received so that matters so far as their side were concerned were in a rather uncertain condition as against that of ourselves who had an expression from the A.U.A.

Following the report by the chairman the matter was freely discussed by those present and after each had expressed their views pro and con, a straw ballot was taken in order to obtain the sentiment of those present without regard to making it a matter of record and which resulted in practically an even division (15 for – 13 no).

On motion by Mr. Moore it was voted that the matter be tabled.  During the discussion as to the advisability of the fusion the condition of the church with reference to its growth came up in which several expressions (of a more or less forcible character Archivist: this phrase was struck from the type written meeting minutes) were rendered, the matter finally resulted in a motion by Mr. Francis to the effect that in order to admit of the church to becoming more local movement and efface any local prejudice there might now be against it though there being a considerable number of Northern people connected with it more or less prominently that the present organization vote to disband with the last meeting of the Conference or on the night of May 7th, 1908. The motion was seconded by Mr. Moore. The vote taken by rising, resulted 8 in favor of the notion and 24 to continue.

A motion then offered by Mr. Spencer seconded by Mr. Perkins was to the effect that the present governing officers resign to make room for others to represent if possible a more local sentiment. This motion was finally withdrawn.

The resignation of Dr. Bowser was read, same being rendered to take effect as of the last day in April. On motion by Mr. Lederle same was referred to a committee of three (Lederle, Watts, Jackson) to confer with Dr. Bowser and to report back to a church meeting to be called later. The resignations of W.M. Francis as Clerk and of T.C. Perkins as Treasurer (to take effect May 15th) were read and accepted.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned 10.10 P.M.

Respectfully

Quarterly Report of Clerk.

Atlanta, April 13, 1908.

Mr. Chairman and Members-

An examination of the membership roll showed that on Jan. 1 we started with 51 local and non-resident members. This total includes only those who have in some way shown that their interest in the church was still alive either by their presence or otherwise.

Four persons have joined with us during the quarter and through the death of Mr. J.C. Peck we have lost one of those previously mentioned, leaving in total numbers 54 or a gain of three.

With one exception regular services have been held each Sunday morning; the exception being that of March 22d on which date our pastor arrange a union service with the members of the Universalist church, which some 18 of our members attended.

Two evening services have been held during this period the first on the evening of Jan. 19th at which there were 31 persons present.

The second evening service was the occasion of a union service in which the Universalist members joined and Dr. Ellenwood preached to a full house, there being approximately 135 present.

The average attendance at our morning services for the quarter has been fifty-eight. Regular and special meetings as necessary have been held by your Trustees for the proper transaction of business; the reports from committees of that body will be read .

Respectfully,

Clerk

Committee on Church Property

Mr. Chairman:-

Your committee on Church property has to report that during the quarter now ended it has had such repairs made as were absolutely necessary in order to maintain the desired safety.

At one point in the floor of the Sunday school room evidence that the sleepers had given out was noted and the necessary steps taken to put that section in safe condition

While the floor was open your Chairman made a partial examination of that section of the floor adjacent to the opening and regrets to advise that the material now in place is not in the desired condition-in fact in numerous places the sleepers have partially and in some sections to all purposes entirely disappeared. At a point under the piano the ends of the joists have no holding power and at another point in the room of the Infant Class the floor has gone down materially, the double flooring being practically all that is holding the weight. In our opinion no specific repairs can be made to any purpose and an entire new-floor of new material is considered necessary. The construction of the floor without proper ventilation has caused dry rot to attack the woodwork.

The condition of walls and woodwork speaks for itself.

The inevitable shrinking of the frame and settling of the whole has resulted in unsightly cracks which to efface would entail the repainting of the interior.

The tin roof has not been painted, for some time and should be given early attention.

Respectfully,

Property Committee.

Report of Treasurer, Unitarian Church, Atlanta

Showing amount of subscriptions and amounts paid on each

Name

Subscribed

Paid

W.M. Francis

50.00

15.00

Mrs. Wm. Govan

50.00

13.00

Wade P. Harding

25.00

15.00

Mrs. Whaley

50.00

15.00

Mr. Taaffe

25.00

3.50

C.H. Behre

50.00

20.00

Misses Estelle

25.00

7.50

H.A. Smith

25.00

7.00

Mrs. Beardsley

10.00

5.00

Mrs. Gardiner

12.00

3.50

D.E. Spencer

?

27.00

T.C. Perkins

50.00

12.50

Miss Alice Ormond

12.00

.00

Miss Hattie Martin

25.00

15.00

A.F. Walker

25.00

25.00

Dr. Jackson

? 50.00

25.00

Mrs. Brownell

?

10.00

Mrs. Chesney

?

10.00

Geo. F. Fowle

?

10.00

J.R. Watts

60.00

30.00

H.C. Scott

40.00

20.00

J.L. Moore

100.00

50.00

Hamilton Douglas

50.00

12.50

Miss Angie Harding

10.00

.00

Mr. J.E. Harding

15.00

10.00

Mrs. Cora P. Williams

30.00

.00

Frank Lederle and Family

102.00

42.50

Mrs. Barilli

?

10.00

J.G. St. Amand

?

5.00

Mrs. Scott

25.00

25.00

J.B. Young

6.00

.00

Misses Behre

12.00

.00

Fred Schwoon

20.00

5.00

Woman’s Alliance

100.00

100.00

Mrs. Holdship

?

25.00

Sunday Plate Collections

59.31

Misses Behre

18.00

6.00

J.C. Peck

100.00

Total

1,172.00

612.06

 

(Archivist Note handwritten comment: 28% of year gone, 39% paid, also question marks in above table were included in the original report.)

Report of Treasurer, Unitarian Church, Quarter ending April 13th, 1908

Balance on hand form 1907

48.02

American Unitarian Association

250.00

Total Collections, subscriptions and plate collections

595.06

Total Cash Received

893.08

<Archivist Note: handwritten amount of $17.00 added after report table bring total to $910.08>

Disbursements

Salary, A.T. Bowser, including amount from A.U.A.

625.00

Music

50.00

Gas, Water and Lights

23.23

Janitor

19.25

Incidentals, including fuel, repairs to building and furnace, Ad. In directory and hotel directory, insurance and floral offering

79.98

Total

803.46

Balance

106.62

910.08

Liabilities, due May 1st

Salary, A.T. Bowser

125.00

Music in April

16.00

Lights & Water (estimate)

6.00

Janitor

7.00

Total

154.00

Cash on Hand

106.62

Short

47.38

 

Respectfully submitted,

<signed>

J.C. Perkins, Treas.

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 25   Folder: 06  Book: 01  Page: 328 – 329
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Unitarian Church of Atlanta - Meeting Minutes, Apr 5, 1908 (Merge with Universalists, Suffrage Society)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga., April 5th, 1908

A special meeting of the Board of Trustees of this Church was held on this date following the regular morning service.

Members present were Messrs. Harding, Perkins, Spencer, Lederle, Behre, Walker, Moore, Watts. Chairman Harding presiding.

The Clerk stated the call for the meeting same being the receipt of a paper in the nature of a counter-proposition from the sub-committee from the Universalist Church considering the matter of the fusion of the two churches.

The Trustees present being provided with copies of the reply, same was not read:

A motion made and carried, referred the reply to the conference committee of our Trustees for acknowledgment and consideration.

The Clerk read a request from Mrs. Daniels, asking for the use of the Church building for the conference of the Woman’s Suffrage Society. This Board at a previous date having voted against allowing the use of the building for other than meetings of this Society, again voted that the Clerk advise her that they were not prepared to reconsider their previous action.

There being no further business presented the meeting adjourned. Respectfully,

<unsigned>, Clerk

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 02  Book: 02  Page: 267
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Unitarian Church of Atlanta - Letter, Apr 1, 1908 (Merge with Universalists)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Apr 1, 1908 (Archivist: Undated letter, assumed date)

Members and Friends of the Unitarian Church:

The Quarterly Meeting of the Church will be held in the Sunday School Room on Monday night, April 13th, at 8.00 P. M.

It is imperative that every member or friend of the Church be present at this meeting as matters of vital importance to the Church are to be presented.

Possibly the question of most interest to us all will be that of whether it is possible or advisable to try to continue the Church, or to close it, thus abandoning the movement in Atlanta.

At this time the Church is in arrears, a condition much regretted by your Trustees. They however, find themselves unable to raise the necessary funds with which to meet their share of the current expenses.

The Church building is also reaching a condition making extensive repairs necessary a complete new floor in the Sunday School Room being one of the items, which will cost approximately $200.00.

We mention these matters in order to show the real needs of the situation and the fact that the financial phase of the matter must have other than passing attention.

From a numerical standpoint, there may also be a question presented as to whether the efforts of our small body as now being exerted might not be better used in other directions.

You will readily see the importance of your being present at this meeting, prepared to be heard from, and we trust that you will make a special effort to attend.

Monday Evening                APRIL 13th           8:00 P.M.

Respectfully,

By order of the Trustees. W.V. Francis, Clerk.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 02  Book: 02  Page: 265
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Unitarian Church of Atlanta - Meeting Minutes, Mar 29, 1908 (New Members)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. March 29, 1908.

Following the regular morning service on this date, Mr. John W. Rice, Mrs. Ethel M. Rice and Isaac R. Hayes were received into membership in this church in the usual way.

Respectfully

<signed>

W.M. Francis, Clerk

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 25 Folder: 06   Book: 01  Pages: 325
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Unitarian Church of Atlanta - Meeting Minutes, Mar 15, 1908 (Peck Resolution)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga., March 15, 1908

Proceeding the sermon in the morning service on this date the congregation resolves itself into business session and the report of the committee on resolutions in connection with the death of Mr. John C. Peck was read by Dr. Bowser, following which an appropriate hymn was sung, the action being in the nature of a memorial service to our departed friend.

Following this, the regular service was resumed.

The report of the committee, a copy of which was sent to Mrs. Peck has been spread upon the records as directed.

Respectfully,

<signed>

W.M. Francis, Clerk

Resolution

Mr. Dear Mrs. Peck,

By direction of a meeting of the members of the Unitarian Church held following the regular service on Sunday, March 8th at which time a committee was appointed to report an expresso from the Church on the lost suffered by same through the death of Mr. Peck, I now transmit the report of that committee as incorporated in a memorial service held on Sunday, March 15th.

The First Unitarian Church of Atlanta in Memoriam

For many years is has been the happy privilege of this church to have for it leader, one who, in the highest measure filled the prophets ideal of a good man.

“To do justly, to love mercy and to talk humbly with God.”

Such was our beloved brother John C. Peck whose ??? ??? useful live was ended on March 5, 1908, in the seventy eighth year of his age.

And now that he has passed from our sight we desire to spread upon our records our appreciation of his ???? ??? noble ??? of life ???????.

???????? if Liberal Christianity loses a strong adherent and a strong supporter and this Chruch ?????

Archivist: Need to revisit.  This document is has been poorly preserved.  Dec 5, 2015.

 

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 25   Folder: 06  Pages: 326 – 327
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

AUA President Tours the South 1908

1 January 2014 at 00:00

American Unitarian Association
Notes of Itinerant
Part II

Atlanta

The Piedmont Hotel in Atlanta is kept by the same firm that conducts the Bellevue Hotel that adjoins our Boston headquarters. The advertisements of the Bellevue which hang on the walls of the Piedmont carry photographs of the Association’s building and of the view of the State House from my office window. These gave me a home-like greeting which was quickly supplemented by the welcome of old friends and new.

Ten minutes after my arrival I was in session with the trustees and minister of the Unitarian Church, and we spent a profitable evening together consulting about the condition and future of our cause in Atlanta. The next morning I went over the properties of the Unitarian and Universalist societies and viewed certain superior locations that some of our sanguine friends dream of possessing. The afternoon was spent in interesting conference with the entire board of trustees of the Universalist society, and in the evening there was a supper and social gathering of all the Unitarian and Universalist people at the Unitarian church. After supper the two earnest and self-forgetting ministers spoke, followed by two eloquent laymen and the visiting itinerant. This pleasant gathering betokens a better understanding and closer comradeship between the two liberal churches in Atlanta, and may be prophetic of larger efficiency and usefulness.

Florida

The financial stringency and the mild winter do not seem to have seriously interfered with the tide of travel to the Florida coasts. Watching the crowd of people who pour through Jacksonville at this season one can not help wishing that somehow we might better use the opportunity of bringing our message to the attention of these people from all over the country. Our churches in Southern California and in the summer resorts of New England are so useful that one longs to have the same kind of work done in the Florida winter resorts. Jacksonville is the gateway and natural centre of influence, and it is encouraging that our new society has got so good a start. Sunday morning and evening two good congregations met me in the pleasant hall of the Women’s Club, and, after the evening service, a business meeting authorized the Standing Committee to let the contract for the building of the new church. The lot, one hundred and five feet square, was bought by the Association last spring for $6,500. The society has now subscriptions and pledges for a building fund amounting to $12,000, and this will complete the proposed church without the furnishings. $3,000 more will be needed for organ, pews, and fixtures, and, judging from the number and substantial quality of the society and the zeal of the minister, I am confident that this sum can readily be added before the building is completed. Mr. Coleman, working under some serious handicaps, is carrying forward the enterprise wisely, and among the people interested in the movement are some of the best citizens of Jacksonville. The society is fortunate in possessing the allegiance of some exceptionally fine musicians, who generously give their services. The music on the Sunday of my visit was appropriate and beautiful.

Charleston

On Monday evening I was able to attend a supper and business meeting of the church in Charleston. The interesting reports read at the meeting showed the varied activities of the society. Mr. Gray and his wife have both been passing through painful illnesses, and Prof. Barber has supplied the pulpit for three Sundays. Mr. Gray is now able to resume his work, and is also busy in preparing for the meeting of the Southern Conference which meets in Atlanta in May, and of which he is the energetic secretary.

Charleston shows some unwonted signs of growth and change. The white population begins to increase a little, commerce begins to return to the grass-grown wharves, but the city does not lose its quaint and peaceful atmosphere. It is still exclusive in its memories, conservative in its social and religious customs, haunted with dreams of the days that are gone forever. The Unitarian church is well endowed, and maintains its worship and its work patiently and devoutly. One by one the faithful go to their rest in the lovely church yard, but new families make good the loss in numbers, and the quiet influence of plain living and liberal thinking abides in the lives of the people and in the soft lights and shadows that play among the columns and shrines of the beautiful church. It was a pleasure to tell the people of this brave and isolated society something of the larger work and progress of our fellowship, and the next morning to touch the new intellectual life of the community by meeting and addressing the faculty and students of Charleston College.

Richmond is growing in population, activity, and beauty. Our little society, fitly housed in its pleasant and appropriate chapel, will share in this growth. The people of the society were kind enough to meet me for a morning hour, and we took new courage from one another. The pluck and patience of these isolated churches and of the ministers who serve them is past praise. I take from their example of fidelity and steadfastness, more than I can give.

SAMUEL A. ELIOT

(Archivist Note: Rev. Samuel A. Eliot is the president of the American Unitarian Association.  In April 1908, Rev. Eliot sent a response to a decision by the Atlanta Unitarian church not to merge with the city’s Universalist congregation. This letter includes the admonition to the Unitarians to “unite or die.”  Based on his recent trip to the South and meeting with Atlanta’s Unitarian and Universalist congregations, it can be concluded that Rev. Eliot  had first hand knowledge of the situation in Atlanta.)

Source: The Christian Register found in Google Book, Vol. 87, No. 11, Mar 12,1908, Page: 4 (284)

Unitarian Church of Atlanta - Meeting Minutes, Mar 10, 1908 (Minister Resigns, Union with Universalist)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga., March 10, 1908

The regular monthly meeting of the Board or Trustees was held on this date at the office of the Clerk.

Meeting was called to order at 5.20 P.M., Chairman Harding presiding.

Members present Messrs. Harding, Perkins, Watts, Moore.

A letter from Mr. Douglas in which he declined to serve on the New Church committee was received but no action taken.

A letter from Dr. Bowser tendering his resignation to take effect on the last day or April was read; no action taken.

Mr. Watts reporting for the committee appointed to draw up a letter to be sent to such persons as were known to be interests in liberal religion, stated that in view of the possibility of this church uniting with the Universalist Church. No steps had been taken to have the letter published.

Mr. Watts reported for the Conference Committee appointed to confer with a like committee from the Universalist Church outlining the proceedings of the only meeting held to that time.

The Clerk reported the attendance for Feb. services as follows:
Feb 8 – 56
Feb 9 – 58
Feb 18 – 84
Feb 23 – 63
Avg – 60.5

The Treasurer reported funds on hand $19.52 with unpaid bills amounting to $23.80 as per report attached hereto.

No further business was presented and meeting adjourned 5:55.
Respectfully,
Clerk.

Report of Treasurer, Unitarian Church March 10, 1908

Date Description Amount
 Balance on Hand Feb 11 as per report  $57.33
 Feb 16  Basket & Envelope Collections  $16.65
 Feb 23  Basket & Envelope Collections $14.06
 Mar 1  Basket & Envelope Collections $13.53
 Mar 2  Jno. L. Moore quarterly $25.00
 Hamilton Douglas quarterly $12.50
 T.C. Perkins quarterly $12.50
 Mrs. Scott, subscription in full  $25.00
 Mar 8  Basket & Envelope Collections $12.35
 Total $188.92

Disbursements

Date Description Amount Amount
 Feb 19  W.M. Francis $5.38
 Feb 25  W.M. Francis $22.45
 Randall Brosm $11.00
 Mar 2  Rev. A.T. Bowser, Salary $125.00
 Mar 10  E.T. Payne, Water .60
 Georgia Ry & Elec. Co. $4.97
 Balance on hand $19.52
$188.92 $188.92

Balance: $19.92

Bills due and unpaid
Mrs. Lederle $6.00
Mr. Mueller $10.00
Mr. Francis, Flowers $6.00
Total $22.00

Respectfully,

<signed>

T.C. Perkins, Treasurer

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 02   Book: 02  Page: 261
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Unitarian Church of Atlanta - Meeting Minutes, Mar 8, 1908 (Peck Resolution Committee)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga., March 9, 1908

A called meeting of the congregation was held on this date following the regular service, Chairman Harding presiding.  Mr. Harding stated that the purpose of the meeting as being that of appointing a committee to draw up resolutions on the death of our fellow member John C. Peck whose death occurred on March 5.

On motion Mr. Douglas, Dr. Bowser with Messrs. Lederle and Harding were appointed on this committee to report back at a subsequent meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.

Respectfully,

<signed>

W.M. Francis, Clerk
Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 25    Folder: 06    Book: 01  Pages: 326
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Unitarian Church of Atlanta - Meeting Minutes, Mar 2, 1908 (Merge with Universalists)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. March 2, 1908.

A called meeting of the Board of Trustees was called on above date. The meeting coming to order in the office of the Clerk at 8:20 P.M. Chairman Harding presiding.

Members present, Bowser, Perkins, Watts, Moore, Harding, Francis.

Mr. Perkins explained the advisability of executing a contract proposed by the Georgia Railway & Elec. Co. and on motion by the Clerk, seconded by Mr. Perkins, Mr. Moore was authorized to sign same.

The Property Committee reported that Mr. J.B. Young very kindly went over the several doors in the Church, refitting same. On motion of Mr. Moore seconded by Mr. Watts, the Clerk was instructed to return the thanks of the Board for his kindness.

With reference to the proposed merger of the Unitarian and Universalist Churches, Mr. Moore remarked on the advisability of same and on motion of Francis, seconded by Mr. Perkins it was voted that a committee of five to be composed of Messrs. Moore, Spencer, Watts, Harding and Lederle with Mr. Hamilton Douglas as Advisory Council be given power to open preliminary negotiations with a like committee from the other church.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 9.30 P.M.

<unsigned>, Clerk.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 02   Book: 02  Page: 259
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Unitarian Church of Atlanta - Meeting Minutes, Feb 26, 1908 (Merge with Universalists)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Feb. 26, 1908

A Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees was held at the office of the Clerk on above date.

The meeting was called to order at 8:15 P.M. Chairman Harding presiding.

Members present were Harding, Moore, Watts, Jackson, Spencer, Behre, Lederle, Bowser, Perkins.

In addition to these, we had the pleasure of having Dr. Samuel Eliot of Boston with us.

The object of the meeting being for the purpose of hearing the views of the various Trustees on the suggested amalgamation of the Unitarian and Universalist Churches in this City, Mr. Moore suggested that the several members present express themselves on that subject. (Archivist: the following was lined out in the typed written meeting minutes: “Dr. Eliot first having roughly outlined the possibility of such action being taken as brought to his notice by Dr. Bowser.”) Dr. Bowser explained the possibility of such action being taken.

Each member in turn was invited to give such expression to his views as desired which was accepted by all present.

Following this a general discussion of the matter took place, Dr. Eliot also giving a short but forceful review of what had been accomplished in this direction elsewhere and the possibilities here as he saw them.

The sentiment of a majority of the members seemed to be that the contemplated move was worthy of further consideration.

No further business being presented the meeting adjourned 10:30P.M

<unsigned>, Clerk

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 02  Book: 02  Page: 257
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Unitarian Church of Atlanta - Meeting Minutes, Feb 11, 1908 (Letter of Beliefs, Financial Report)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 11, 1908

A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was held at the office of the Clerk on this date.

The meeting was called to order at 5:05 P.M. Chairman Harding presiding.

Members present: Behre, Lederle, Watts, Moore, Harding, Bowser.

Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

The Treasure’s report was read in his absence by the Clerk; same showed a balance on hand of $ (Archivist: no amount entered in original record)

The Clerk reported the attendance at services during January to be
5th – 55
12th – 45
19th – 45
26th – 53
An average of 49 1/2

At the evening service held on Jan. 19th there were 31 present.

Mr. Moore explained the charge of $15.00 for Advertisement and copy of Directory. The advertisement being considered to the interest of the Church and that the Directory was necessary in the work of the Pastor.

The Property Committee reported having expended $5.38 in connection with minor repairs to locks, purchasing stationary &c. Also reported purchase of two additional tons of coal $11.00. Both bills approved and ordered paid.

The Committee further reported the need of the floor of Sunday School room receiving attention due to the apparent giving out of the joists which is to be repaired on the 17th inst.

Mr. Watts presented a suggestion looking to getting out a form of letter setting forth the nature of our belief which could be mailed to any one known to be disposed to think that way. After discussing the merits of the matter, it was voted that a committee, consisting of Messrs. WATTS, BOWSER and the Clerk be requested to consider the matter, having power to act accordingly and to be known as the Publicity Committee.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 6:00 P.M.

Respectfully,
Clerk.

 

Report of Treasurer, Unitarian Church February 11, 1908

Date Description Amount Total
 Balance on Hand Jan 1, 1908 $48.02
 Jan 5  Collection & Envelopes  $14.51
 Mrs. Geo. E. Fowke $5.00
 Jan 12  Collection & Envelopes $7.43
 Jan 19  Mrs. J.B. Chesney $10.00
 Collections & Envelopes $8.37
 Jan 26  Mrs. F.E. Brommell $5.00
 Collection & Envelopes  $7.82
 Jan 28  Mr. J.R. Watts $30.00
 Mrs. H.C. Scott $20.00
 Feb 1  American Unitarian Association $250.00
 Feb 2  Collection & Envelopes $21.65
 Feb 6  Woman’s Alliance $50.00
 Feb 9  Mrs. Alfreda Bareli $10.00
 Miss Hattie Martin $5.00
 Collection & Envelopes $12.55
 Total to Feb 11, 1908 $506.35

Disbursements

Date Description Amount Total
 Feb 1  Rev. A.T. Bowser Voucher #49 $125.00
 Feb 3  Rev. A.T. Bowser Voucher #50 $250.00
 Feb 7  Mr. Erwin Mueller Voucher #51 $10.00
 Cash (3 weeks Janitor Voucher #53 $5.25
 Mrs. Frank Lederle Voucher 52 $6.00
 Perdue & Eggleston Voucher #54 $20.15
 Atlanta City Directory Co Voucher #55 $15.00
 W W Fisk Church Directory Voucher #56 $6.00
 Feb 11  Ga. Ry & Elec. Co. Voucher #57 $11.02
 E.T. Payne Water Voucher #58 .60
Balance Feb. 11, 1908 $57.33
$506.35 $506.35

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 02  Book: 02  Pages: 253 – 255
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Unitarian Church of Atlanta - Meeting Minutes, Jan 19, 1908 (New Members)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, January 19, 1908.

Following the regular morning service on this date, Miss E.L. Robinson was received into membership in this church in the usual may.

Respectfully,

<signed>

W.M. Francis, Clerk

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 25 Folder: 06   Book: 01  Page: 325
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Unitarian Church of Atlanta - Meeting Minutes, Jan 14, 1908 (Officers, List of Subscriptions)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Jan. 14, 1908

A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was held this evening at the residence of Mr. J.C. Peck.

Members present Messrs. Peck, Lederle, Moore, Moore, Watts and Harding.

The Treasurer having reported at the Annual Church Meeting the evening previous, no report was made at this time.

A list of the pledges for the support of the Church was read showing a total of $419 as received at the meeting.

A letter from Mr. Peck, tendering his resignation as Chairman of the Board was read. The acceptance of his resignation was made in the form of a motion by Mr. Moore, expressing the regret of the members and also extending their thanks for the courtesies and various kindnesses received at his hands while at the head of the Board; same was carried unanimously.

The Clerk announced the result of the election of various officers for the ensuing year at the Church meeting which was as follows:

TRUSTEES (Three year term)
A.F. Walker
C.H. Behre
W.A. Jackson

TRUSTEE (Two year term to fill vacancy)
J.E. Harding

TREASURER
T.C. Perkins

CLERK
W.M. Francis

ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Mrs. E.C. Williams
Mr. J.R. Watts
Mr. W.P. Harding

SUPT SUNDAY SCHOOL
Hamilton Douglas

ASS’T SUPT S. S.
Dr. A.T. Bowser

On Motion of Mr. Moore, Mr. Harding was nominated and unanimously elected Chairman of the

Board to succeed Mr. Peck. Mr. Lederle was then elected Vice Chairman.

The Chairman announced the following Committees for the ensuing year:

FINANCE
Messrs.  Moore, Peck, Watts, Behre, Lederle

PROPERTY
Messrs. Francis, Walker, Jackson

MUSIC
The Mrs. Lederle, Williams, Behre

CHURCH OPERATION
Dr. Bowser and associates

It was voted that the next meeting of the Board be held at the office of the Clerk, 314 Empire Building, at 5 P.M.

Dr. Bowser in referring to the Annual Meeting took occasion to make favorable comment on the large attendance, free expressions and general good feeling shown. He also expressed his wish that all members notify him by card or otherwise in regard to anyone needing his attention through sickness, spiritual needs or otherwise in order that he might make prompt calls on the person indicated.

He further stated that in answer to the desire on the part of some of the members of the congregation, it was his purpose to hold at least one evening service, which would probably be held on the evening of January 19th.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:15.

Clerk.

Subscriptions to the Support of the Church for 1908
Given at Annual Meeting held January 14th, 1908

Name  Comments  Amount
 Frank Lederle   Monthly payments aggregating $60.00
 Mrs. Frank Lederle   Monthly payments aggregating $18.00
 Gertrude C. Lederle   Monthly payments aggregating $6.00
 Margaret Lederle   Monthly payments aggregating $6.00
 Marie Lederle  Monthly payments aggregating $6.00
 Francis Lederle  Monthly payments aggregating $6.00
 Mr. & Mrs. Behre  Envelope Plan $50.00
 Mr. & Mrs. Francis  Envelope Plan $50.00
 Mr. & Mrs. Perkins  Envelope Plan $50.00
 Mrs. Williams $30.00
 Mr. & Mrs. W.P. Harding  Envelope Plan $25.00
 Mr. H.A. Smith  Envelope Plan $25.00
 R.A. Taaffe  Envelope Plan $25.00
 Miss Hattie Martin $25.00
 J.E. Harding  Semi-monthly $15.00
 Miss Angie Harding  Semi-monthly $10.00
 Miss Alice Ormond  Monthly $12.00
Total $419.00

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 02  Book: 02  Page: 252
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Unitarian Church of Atlanta - Meeting Minutes, Jan 13, 1908 (Annual Meeting)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Annual meeting of the Church held January 13, 1908.

The Ladies served a lunch from 6:30 pm to 8:00pm.

The regular business meeting was called to order at 8pm, by John L. Moore, vice chairman.

Those present were: Mr. & Mrs. Francis, Mr. & Mrs. Bowser, Mr. & Mrs. Frank Lederle, Mr. & Mrs. Henry Smith, Mr. & Mrs. Taaffe, Mr. &  Mrs. J.L. Moore,  Mr. & Mrs. Wade P. Harding, Mr. & Mrs. Gardner, Mr. & Mrs. Hamilton Douglas, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Behre, Miss Estelle, Mrs. Ormond, Mrs. Williams, Miss Alice Ormond, Miss Edwine and Edna Behre, Miss Marie Lederle, Miss Angie Harding, Miss Hattie Martin, Mrs. Daniels, Mrs. J.R. Beardsley, Mr. J.E. Harding, Dr. Jackson, Mr. Perkins, Mr. Watts, Mr. Marshall, Philip Francis and Wade Harding, Jr. (39).

Minutes of the last annual meeting read and approved.

Treasurer’s report read, approved and ordered to be spread on the minutes.  This report showed a balance on hand of $48.02.

Report of Clerk read and approved.  This report showing an average attendance at Church services to sixty-four (64).

Mr. H. Douglas, Superintendent of Sunday School made a full and detailed report of Sunday School work for the year.  Which report was considered very flattering in the good work down by the school.  The attendance and financial condition <is> very good.  The excellent report is spread on the minutes and is worth reading.

Mrs. J.R. Beardsley, President of Woman’s Alliance made an excellent report and it will be spread on the minutes.

This report shows money taken in $457.99.  Money expended $334.03 leaving a balance on hand of $128.96.

The Minister had no written report but made a good talk to the meeting on the line of building up the Church attendance and the prospects and hopes which we all have of securing another lot and having a new Church building.

Under head of new business, Mr. Moore as Chairman of New Church committee stated that our Church Property is in the hands of Real Estate Agents for Sale.  But times being financially close, there were few sales being made and he doubted very much whether at this time we could secure the ready money to handle other lots for church purpose which the committee had in review.

Mr. Francis was of the opinion that we did not need a new church until we could fill our old one with a good congregation.

Mr. Behre thought that we could work to fill up our present Church but not give up the idea of striving for a new Church in a better locality in the near future.

Mrs. Williams was decidedly in favor of the new Church and will give $200 towards the buying of a new lot.

The matter was discussed freely by other members of meeting including Miss Martin, Mrs. Daniels, Mrs. Douglas, Mr. Watts, Mr. Lederle, but no action was taken in the matter except a motion of Mr. Lederle that a committee of five (5) be appointed from members of the Church outside of the members of the Board of Trustee as an additional new church committee.

Vice-Chairman Moore appointed the following members on that committee: Hamilton Douglas chairman, Wade P. Harding, Mr. Young and Mrs. Cora P. Williams.

Mrs. Bowser moved that a committee of two (2) be appointed to draft resolutions on the death of Mrs. Alice White Birney and that committee consist of Mrs. Douglas and Mr. Watts.  Copies of these resolutions to be sent to her family and the Christian Register.  This motion was unanimously carried.

Mr. Francis tendered his resignation as a member of the Board of Trustees which was accepted.

The Chairman then announced the next business on hand was election of officers for year 1908.

The nominating committee presented the following ticket and the Clerk by motion was ordered to cast the ballot for the ticket as present, which was done and the Chairman declared the ticket as presented unanimously elected.  There being no other business, the meeting adjourned.

<signed>

J.C. Harding, Clerk

Ticket

Trustees Three Year Term

A.F. Walker
C.H. Behre
W.A. Jackson

Trustee

Two Years (to fill vacancy)
J.E. Harding

Treasurer
T.C. Perkins

Clerk
W.M. Francis

Advisory Committee

Mrs. E.N. Williams
Mr. J.R. Watts
Mr. W.P. Hardin

Supt Sunday School
Hamilton Douglas

Asst Supt Sunday School
A.T. Bowser

Clerks’s Report for Year 1907

Regular meetings of the Board of Trustees have been held during the year with the exception of two months in the summer.

Quarterly and call meetings of the church have been held from time to time to transact the business properly coming before the church.

The average attendance at the church services during the year was sixty-four (64).

During the first of the year under Dr. Shippen the average attendance was sixty-three (63).

Average attendance during Dr. Bower’s pastorate since Oct 13th was sixty-six (66). I leave off fraction in these averages.

During the pat year four of our beloved members have passed to the Higher Life.  Namely: Mr. Frank Hartshorne, Mr. Ralph H. Brown, Mr. Howard Daniels and Mrs. Alice McLellan Birney.

Respectfully Submitted,

<signed>

J.E. Harding, Clerk

Report of Treasurer, Unitarian Church January 1st, 1908

To balance on hand July 23rd, 1907 37.52
To payments on subscription, as per detailed report in hands of Finance Com. 418.50
Balance Woman’s Alliance subscription 30.00
Weekly envelop payments, detailed on report to Finance Comm 62.80
Received from American Unitarian Association 83.33
Sundry Basket Collections 62.91
Total Receipts 695.06

Disbursements

To Rev. A.T. Bowser, Pastor Salary 458.33
To Mrs. Frank Lederle, Music $18.00
To Mrs. T.A. Burk, Music $25.00
To Mr. Mueller, Music $30.00 73.00
U.S. Gibson, Janitor Service 22.00
Randall Coal Co. Coal, etc. 13.25
Perdue & Eggleston, On Ins. 40.00
Repairing Furnace and other Repairs 16.15
Printing, Envelopes, etc. 6.50
Ga. Ry. & Elec. Co., Electric Lights 11.92
E.T. Payne, T.C. Water 3.80
Atlanta Gas Light Company, Gas 2.60
Total 647.55

Balance, Atlanta Nat. Bank Jan. 1908 $47.51

Report of the Superintendent of the Sunday-School

Atlanta, Ga., Jan 13th, 1908

To the Unitarian Church of Atlanta

In Annual Meeting:

The Superintendent of the Sunday-School makes this annual report, the data for which is taken from the report of the Treasurer and Secretary.

Financially, the Sunday-School has been for the last year, as in past years, in good condition being able to pay all its bills promptly.

A summary of its finances is as follows:

Jan 1st 1907 Balance cash on hand

$25.07

Offerings from Jan 1st 1907 to Dec 31st 1907

$64.30

Special contribution

$2.00

Total receipts for 1907

$92.37

December 31st 1907, balance cash on hand

$13.31

Among the disbursements are:

For Unitarian Sunday-School Association, $3.00; to the American Unitarian Association, $5.00; for janitor’s services for the Church and Sunday-School, from June 19th to Nov. 7th, 1907, $10.75; car-ride for Home for the Friendless Children, $6.05; box oranges for Home for the Friendless Children, $3.01.

Appropriations of this character greeter this year than heretofore, account for smaller bank balance at close of this year than last.

In reviewing the attendance of the past year, the record has been much the same as that of preceding years. A few names have been added, to our rolls, but we have lost by departure from the City, several of our most faithful attendants; consequently, our numbers remain about the same

Early in March, one class had to be discontinued because of our inability to secure a teacher. This class was divided between the other classes of the Sunday-School. In November, a new class was again formed, so that the number of classes is the same is was a year ago. The teachers in all of the classes save the Bible Class, have so frequently changed during the year that it is impossible now to give proper credit to those in charge of the classes at different times during the year.

Miss Margaret Lederle, in charge of the Third Class only consented to take that class temporarily, up to the 1st of December last. The classes then stood at the close of last year this:

First, or Primary Class, Miss Edna Behr, Teacher, enrolled

5

Second, Miss Marie Lederle, teacher, enrolled

4

Third, Miss Margaret Lederle, teacher, enrolled

5

Fourth, Advance Class, Miss Alice Ormond, teacher, enrolled

5

Fifth, Bible Class, Mrs. Hamilton Douglas, teacher, enrolled

17

Officers and Teachers

7

Total Enrollment

42

It will be seen that the number of children in Sunday-School is very small, the Bible Class and the officers and teachers being all adults. Only 19 children enrolled and some of them Misses aspiring to long dresses!

For the first part of the year, from January to June, there was an average attendance or 30; the largest number being present on April 28, 29, and the smallest attendance 22 on April 14th.

From June until the 1st of October, the average attendance was 28, the largest number being present June 16th, 41, and the smallest September 29th, 21. During this period several were absent for their vacations.

From October to the close of the year, the average attendance was 33, the largest attendance being on November 24th when 42 were present, and the smallest attendance on November 17th when 28 were present. For the last three months of 1907, the average attendance was three more than for the first six months of the year.

The greatest encouragement to the work of the Sunday-School during all of the past year has been the increased interest in it shown by the members or the Church in their regular attendance in the Bible Class. This Class in point of attendance and in interested devotion of, its members, is second to none in any Sunday-School.

Too much praise cannot be given to the teachers and members of the other classes, and to the officers of the Sunday-School, for their faithful work in the past year. Indeed, the average attendance is good when the total enrollment is considered. What we need in the Sunday-school is more children of the many that can be found in our city who never go to any Church or Sunday-School at all. To secure these, the Sunday-School needs the services of those who are able and have the time to follow the example of the Master and go out into the little world about us and preach his gospel and invite those into our School who might desire to come. Unfortunately, the Superintendent and his teachers do not have time for properly doing this work. On this account, the Sunday-School languishes in numbers. It is not what it should be; it lacks leadership and organized direction in the work among strangers.

This report, would not be complete without a word of congratulation for the coming of our Minister and his wife who have been gladly welcomed to our Sunday-School, and who have been regularly found in attendance on its meetings at all times unless prevented by sickness. The minister has taken charge of the teacher’s weekly meetings for study of the lessons of the lower classes.

Outside Work

The Board of Directors of the Home for the Friendless Children, early in April, extended an invitation to our Sunday-School to entertain the children of the Home one Sunday afternoon in each month. A number of our young ladies, appointing themselves as representatives of the Sunday-School accepted the invitation, and beginning with the first Sunday in May, have been going there regularly since that time on the first Sunday of each month. The report has come to me that they have splendidly done their work, so that the Children of that institution welcome their coming over and above the young ladies of any other Church.

If the afternoon be rainy, singing and games and other indoor amusements constitute the program. If the day is bright and sunshiny, long walks and rambles for the older ones and out-of-door games for the younger children, have been enjoyed. The number of the children entertained ranges from 75 to 90, those in the nursery being too young to be entertained in common with the other children.

June 2nd was the last Sunday that Dr. Shippen was with us, and after his departure, the Church discontinued it services for the summer. Our Sunday-School, however, determined to continue the Sunday-School that the Church might kept open. During this time, on June the 30th, Rabbi Marx gave a most interesting lecture to the Bible Class on Immorality.

In conclusion: we have a good Sunday-school. The Superintendent has but little part in it, and so can thus frankly state the fact in simple justice to the efficient teachers, the children and to the members of the Church to have been faithfully attending. But the School in growth is practically at a standstill. Increase and development is the law of all natural life. We should be doing something more than merely training our own children. To have no higher aspiration than this would be selfish indeed. Ours is a growing community, and our Sunday-School should be a growing Sunday-School.

I am well aware that numbers do not make success alone: that we can have a good Sunday-School without numbers. That we do have, but we can have a better Sunday-School with numbers; for it generally true that where have enthusiastic attendance in numbers you seldom find a failure in good work. And the argument that numbers do not make success is most frequently used by those who are failing to achieve the best results.

Respectfully submitted,

<signed>

Hamilton Douglas

Superintendent

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 25 Folder: 06  Book: 01  Pages: 317 – 324
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Unitarian Church of Atlanta - Meeting Minutes, Dec 15, 1907 (Elect Nominating Committee)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga., Dec 15, 1907

Church meeting held after services today to elect the nomination committee to nominate officers to be elected at the annual church meeting in Jan 1908.  Vice Chairman Mr. Moore called the meeting to order and announced that the committee would consist of five members.

Mr. Harding moved that the committee consist of the following persons: Messrs. Lederle, Taaffe and Francis and Mrs. Behre and Mrs. Wiliams.

They were unanimoulsy elected and there being no other business the meeting adjourned.

<signed>

J.E. Harding, Clerk

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 25   Folder: 06  Book: 01  Pages: 316
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Unitarian Church of Atlanta - Meeting Minutes, Feb 12, 1907 (Finance, Attendance, Collection AUA)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga., February 12, 1907

Regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees held this evening at the residence of Mr. J.C. Peck.

Present: Chairman Peck and Messrs. Moore, St. Amand, Francis and Harding.

Minutes of the previous meeting read and approved.

Treasurer submitted his report which was read, approved and ordered spread on the minutes as follows:

Receipts
In hands of Treas. Jan, 1, 1907 (cash ) $15.33
Receipts from Jan. 1, 1907 to Feb. 12, 1907 $190.37
Disbursements
Receipts from Jan. 1, 1907 to Feb. 12, 1907 $184.71
Amount in Hands of Treasurer (cash) $20.99

Assets in hand of Treasurer:

 Notes $62.50
Check (to be used later) $46.25
Total $108.75

The Clerk reported attendance for the past 3 Sundays as follows:

Jan 27th – 57
Feb 3rd – 61
Feb 10th – 65
Total – 183
Average – 61

On motion of Mr. Francis, Easter Sunday was designated as the Sunday that a special collection be taken up for the church’s contribution to the American Unitarian Association and it is the desire of the Board in answer to the appeal of the A.U.A. that $50.00 be raised and should the collection fall short of the fifty dollars, the difference be made up.

On motion Mr. St. Amand was requested to notify President Samuel A. Eliot of the intention of the church of the contribution the church proposes making under the recent appeal issued.

On motion of Mr. Francis, the Board of Trustees recommended to the church that in future in selecting delegates to Conferences or other Conventions that said delegates be recommended for appointment by a nominating committee appointed by the church previous to their election as delegates.

There being no further business, meeting adjourned.

<signed>

J.E. Harding, Clerk

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Pages: 233 – 234
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

First Universalist Church - Meeting Minutes, Feb 11, 1907 (Revival Scheduled/Bill Paying)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Monday, Feb. 11, 1907

Regular monthly meeting of the board of trustees at the home of the pastor. 40 E. Harris St., Present – Brothers:

  • Bradford, President
  • West, Treasurer
  • Marsh
  • Ellenwood
  • Blake, Acting Secretary

Bro. Coleman moving to Macon, Ga. to fill position R.R. Bro. Blake on motion was called to the charge of the Secretary for the evening.

The minutes of the meeting of Jan. 29 read and approved.

Report of Special Committees. Progress

Report of Unfinished Business. None

New Business.

Mr. Ellenwood wishing a series of meetings and a revival in fact to be held at the church Feb. 25 to March 11. On motion he was instructed to secure Mr. Lyman B. Weeks of Utica, N.Y. doing missionary work in the South under Dr. Shinn. Bro. Weeks is Superintendent of Churches, N.Y. State; formerly promient worker and minister in the Methodist Church.

Bro. West brought up matter of music, or the absence of any, at church services last Sunday. Reported that Miss Martha Smith our choir leader being away and not furnishing proper substitute calls for action of the board. Bro. Blake instructed to inform Miss Smith that her services can not be spared. Carried.

Motion that Bro. West must renew note $100.00 held by Mrs. Hitchcock due March 7th. Same rate of interest 3%. Carried

Motion by Bro. West that warrants as follows be drawn:

  • To favor Bro. A.E. Holdt for paint used in painting the church June 1906 – $12.00
  • Favor Miss Martha Smith Salary Jan 1907 for music – $15.00
  • Pastor salary Rev. E.D. Ellenwood for month January 1907 – $62.50
  • Favor C.W. Russell for repairs on tower this is net amount of his bill – $26.00
  • Favor Estey Organ Company for organ pledge month Jan. 1907 – $10.00
  • Favor Mrs. H. Hitchcock interest on notes held by her account $100.00 due March 7, 1907 – $3.00
  • Sundries paid by Bro. West, Treasurer – $17.75
    • Janitor salary for January 1907 – $4.00
    • Ward Printing Co. for envelopes – $4.50
    • Telegram publishing Co. Warrant book – $1.00
    • Georgia Ry & Electric Light Co. January – $7.45 (Archivist: Ry = Railway)
    • Gas Bill for month January – $.20
    • Water bill for month January – $.60

Treasurer report of cash on hand:

Amount carried from last meeting: $36.17
Amount collected by him: $120.66
Total: $156.83
Paid Miss Smith: $15.00
Paid A.E. Holdt: $12.00
Paid Sundries: $17.75
Total Disbursements: $44.75
Amount on hand: $112.08

Wife of pastor invited the members of board to partake of supper. Five present.   All had good appetite and appreciated fully the splendid & bountiful meal furnished and rendered her many, many thanks.

Meeting adjourned 11:00pm

<signed>

Harry C. Blake, Acting Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 60 Folder: 01 Pages: 139 – 140
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

First Universalist Church - Meeting Minutes, Jan 29, 1907 (Detailed Financial Rpt)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Meeting of the Board held at home of Rev. E.D. Ellenwood to close business of the year left over from meeting of Jan 16th.

Present: Bro. Bradford, Mrs. X (Archivist Note: this reference to Mrs. X is how the name was represented in the original meeting minutes), Marsh, Blake & Coleman, acting secretary.

Motion by Bro. West that a warrant favor Bro. Ellenwood for August salary to correct error to balance account of Treasurer. Carried.

Motion by Bro. West that warrant be drawn favor Estey Organ Company payment of organ pledge for month Nov. 1906. Carried.

Annual report of Bro. West read and accepted. Same ordered spread on the minutes attached to following page. Carried.

Report of financial stating:

Balance from last meeting: $57.92
Collected from last meeting: $152.40
Total: $210.32
Disbursements: $174.15
Balance: $36.17

Meeting adjourned.

<signed>

G.D. Coleman, Acting Secretary.

Mr. B.W. Bradford, President,
Board of Trustees Universalist Church

Dear Sir: –

I respectfully submit my annual report, showing all collections and disbursements from Jan. 17, 1906 to Jan 29, 1907.

Collections Amount
Woman’s Mission Circle $150.00
Local Y.P.C.U. $84.00
Sunday School $32.50
Borrowed Money $100.00
Easter Collection $107.83
Barrel Collection (Sunday School) $59.55
Coal Collection $31.50
Christmas Collection $19.25
Organ Fund (W.R. Beck, Treasurer) $20.00
Subscriptions $795.60
Miscellaneous Collections $192.04
Total Collections $1,592.27
Disbursements
Pastor’s Salary $775.00
Music $133.50
Payments on Piano $140.00
Lights & Water $42.76
Janitor Services $73.70
Note & Interest $170.80
Fuel $31.25
Printing $15.50
Repairing Furnace $18.25
Insurance on Church $15.00
Painting Church $71.84
Wiring Church $14.50
Payment on Organ $20.00
Sundries $34.00
Cash on hand $36.17
 Total Disbursements $1,592.27
 Liabilities
 Note, Dr. W.H. McGlauflin, due Feb 8, 1907 at 8% $130.00
 Note, Mrs. H. Hitchcock, due Mar 7, 1907 at 3% $100.00
Amount of Unpaid Pledges $82.45

<signed>

B.G. West, Treasurer
Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 60 Folder: 01 Pages: 137 – 138
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Unitarian Church of Atlanta - Meeting Minutes, Jan 21, 1907 (Officers, Detailed Financials)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga., January 21, 1907

Regular meeting of the Board of Trustee held this evening at the residence of Mr. J.C. Peck.

Present: Messrs. Peck, Watts, St. Amand, Behre, Lederle, Harding and Dr. Shippen.

The Clerk reported the election of the following officers of the church at the annual meeting held Jan. 14, 1907.

Pastor: Rev. Rush R. Shippen

Members of the Board of Trustees for 3 years:
J.C. Peck
W.M. Francis
D.H. Spencer

Members of the Board of Trustless for 2 years:
Julies R. Watts
John L. Moore
Frank Lederle

Members of the Board of Trustless for 1 year:
Chas. H. Behre
A.F. Walker
Dr. W.A. Jackson

Treasurer: J.G. St. Amand

Clerk: J.E. Harding

Advisory Committee:
T.C. Perkins
Mrs. Cora P. Williams
W.J. Govan

Superintendent Sunday school: Hamilton Douglas

Asst. Superintendent Sunday school: J.E. Harding

Upon motion of Mr. Behre, Mr. J.C. Peck was unanimously elected Chairman of the Board for the year 1907.

Upon motion of Mr. St. Amand, Mr. John L. Moore was unanimously elected Vice-Chairman.

The Chairman announced the committees as follows:

Finance:
J.G. St. Amand, Chairman
John L. Moore
D.E. Spencer
Julius R. Watts
C.H. Behre
W.A. Jackson

Care of Property:
W.M. Francis, Chairman
A.F. Walker
Frank Lederle

Music:
Mrs. A. M. Lederle Chairman
Mrs. Cora P. Williams
C.H. Behre

Church operations:
Rev. Rush R. Shipper and associates

Minutes of the last meeting read and approved.

The Treasurer submitted a report in detail of the funds handled by him from January 1, 1906 to January 14, 1907 (for year 1906) showing a balance in his hands of $124.08. Said report will be found following minutes of this meeting.

The Clerk reported attendance for three Sundays in January as follows:
Jan 6th – 80
Jan 13th – 70
Jan 20th – 80
Total – 230
Average – 76 2/3

The Chairman of the music committee having made no request of the Board of the amount required for the choir for the year 1907, Mr. St. Amand moved that the amount appropriated last year to wit: $300.00 be appropriated this year and placed at the disposal of the music committee.

Mr. St. Amand moved that Dr. Shippen continue to print the cards giving his subjects and the various meetings held during each month and that the Treasurer he instructed to pay the bills.

Mr. St. Amand read a letter of Mr. George H. Crafts addressed to the Board of Trustees tendering his resignation as member of the Board as he had removed his residence from Atlanta to Dublin, Ga which was accepted to the regret of the entire Board, and Mr. St. Amand offered the following resolutions which were unanimously adopted.

Upon motion the resignation of Brother Crafts was accepted to the regret of the entire Board, and the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

Resolved:

That by the removal from Atlanta of Mr. George H. Crafts, the Unitarian church loses one of its most zealous, ardent and faithful members, and the Board of Trustees, one of its oldest, staunchest and most active members, Mr. Crafts having for the past seventeen years been continuously a member of the Board during which time he has filled the position as Chairman.

Be it further resolved:

That in appreciation of Brother Crafts deep interest in the welfare of our cause in Atlanta and of our high regard for him as a Christian gentleman and as a mark of our esteem of him as a man, friend, citizen and co-worker, that we hereby elect him an honorary member of the Board, and extend to him an invitation to attend the meetings of the Board whenever in the city. And it is the wish of every member of the Board that Brother Crafts efforts may be crowned with success in his new home.

Be it further resolved:

That these resolutions be spread on the minutes, and that a copy of them be forwarded to Brother Crafts by the Clerk of the Board.

Mr. St. Amand announced that at the annual meeting $1,107.00 had been subscribed by those present and others whom he had assessed the same Amounts as contributed last year to the support of the church for this year.

Mr. St. Amand also stated that he had in hand in cash sufficient funds to meet the current expenses including the minister’s salary for the month of January.

There being no further business, meeting adjourned.

<signed>

J.E. Harding, Clerk

Report of Treasurer covering receipts and disbursements from Jan 1, 1906 to Jan 14, 1907 (for year 1906)

Name Subscription Balance
Cash in hands of Treasurer (Bal from 1905) $118.50
Receipts
Sunday collections in basket $330.37
J.B. Frost $24.00
D.E. Spencer $59.50
F. Schwoon $9.00
Socius Club $6.60
J.C. Peck $100,00
C.H. Behre $75.00
Mrs. Annie F. Taylor $15.00
Special Collections A.U.A. $15.00
Miss Sarah G. Whaley $35.00
Miss Angie Harding $5.00
Grand Opera House collections $142.88
Episcopal Church for Windows $25.00
J.G. St. Amand $104.00
Opera House deficit (subscribers) $140.00
American Unitarian Association $337.50
Julius R. Watts $50.00
W.M.Francis $30.00
Frank Lederle $100.00
 Hugh C. Scott $25.00
 A.F. Walker $25.00
 J.E. Harding $10,00
 Mrs. Rose S. Colvin $3.00
 Ralph H. Brown $50.00
 Geo Eowle & Wife $15.00
 Hamilton Douglas $50.00
 W.A. Jackson $50.00
 Miss Hattie Harding $25.00
 John L. Moore $100.00
 Woman’s Alliance $130.00
 T.C. Perkins $12.50
 R.G. Wells $11.00
 San Francisco Sufferers $50.65
 R.F. Shedden $10.00
 Earl M. Moore $10.00
 H.A. Smith $25.00
 Mrs. A. Karstrand $2.50
 Mrs. Alfredo Barili $20.00
 Mrs. Cora P. Williams $30.00
 Mrs. U.O. Robertson $50.00 $2,308.50
 Total $2,427.05
Disbursements Amount
Rev. Moore Sanborn $1,000.00
Rev. Rush R. Shippen $375.00
Opera House Expense $329.25
Piedmont Hotel Mr. Shippen Bill $25.00
Insurance on Property $20.05
Repairs to Church Property $44.30
E.H. Thornton Treasurer San Francisco Sufferers $50.65
Expense Account lights, water, print, etc $98.47
 Mrs. A.M. Lederle organist $45.00
 Mrs. T.J. Harper organist $16.50
 Mrs. A.F. Wynne singer $123.75
 T.C. Paine singer $4.00
 Mrs. T.A. Burke singer $45.00
 Erwin Mueller Violinist $10.00
 Miss Tucker & Friend singers $10.00
 Special Collection A.U.A. $15.00
 Janitor $91.00 $2,302.97
Amount in hands of Treasurer $124.08
Balance made up as follows:
Note of Ralph H. Brown $37.50
Note H.A. Smith due March 16, 1907 $25.00
Ch1 C.H. Behre $46.25
Cash on Hand $15.33 $124.08

Atlanta, Ga., January 14, 1907

Respectfully submitted,

<signed>

J.G. St. Amand
Treasurer

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02  Pages: 228 – 233
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

First Universalist Church - Meeting Minutes, Jan 16, 1907 (Bill Payment/Budget 1907)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Special Session

The following members of the board in Special Session held at the Church Jan. 16, 1907 ordered bill of $4.62 favor Bilk & Gregg Hardware Company paid.

Present: Bradford, Marsh, Coleman & West.

<signed>

G.D. Coleman, Acting Secretary.

(Archivist Note: The 1907 budget below was included on the page following the minutes of the Special Session also held on January 16, 1907.)

Atlanta, Ga. Jan. 16th, 1907

Budget for 1907

Item Amount
Pastor’s Salary 6 months @62.50 per month $375.00
Pastor’s Salary 6 months @75.00 per month $450.00
Lights & Water $50.00
Janitor Service $75.00
Fuel $40.00
Music $150.00
Printing and Postage $25.00
Repairs $35.00
Total $1,200.00

Mr. B.W. Bradford, President,
Board of Trustees,

Dear Sir: –

We the finance committee respectfully submit the above budge after having carefully gone love the items of necessary expense for 1907.

<signed>

F.M. Marsh, Chairman
B.G. West
D.G. Coleman

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 60   Folder: 01  Pages: 135 – 136
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

First Universalist Church - Meeting Minutes, Jan 14, 1907 (Repairs/Bill Payment)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga., Jan 14, 1907

Board of Trustees met in regular session a the residence of the Pastor Mr. Ellenwood 40 East Harris St. 8:00pm Jan. 14th with the following members present: President Bradford, Marsh, Coleman, West, Blake, Moon & the Pastor Mr. Ellenwood.

Minutes of previous meeting read and approved.

Mr. Ellenwood reported that opening on tower had been closed to prevent birds from entering. Also that valley and leaks had been repaired.

On motion of Mr. Ellenwood house committee was instructed to have a chains and box fastening applied to man-hole to coal bin. Also that window fastenings be repaired.

After a general discussion relative to enlarging rostrum and changing pulpit, the matter was passed without any definite action being taken.

The Treasurer reported the following:

Balance on hand from previous meeting: $43.95
Collections: $187.58
Total: $231.53
Disbursements: $173.61
Balance on hand: $57.92

The following bills were read and approved and ordered paid:

  • Sundry bills of Treasurer: $41.11
  • Woodbury & Kellam: $80.00 payment in full on piano
  • Miss Martha Smith: $15.00 salary for month of December
  • Bill of S.M. Truitt for coal: $22.00
  • Bill Mr. Ellenwood: $4.40 postage & printing

The Board was agreeably surprised by being presented by Dr. Hitchcock with an insurance policy on church organ – dated Dec 14th, 1906 and covering a period of three years for $500.00 – premium $7.50. Same was thankfully received and turned over to Treasurer Mr. B.G. West for safe keeping.

There being no other business, the board adjourned to meet on call or at next stated meeting.

<signed>

G.D. Coleman, Acting Secretary.

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 60   Folder: 01  Pages: 134 – 135
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

 

Unitarian Church of Atlanta - Meeting Minutes, Jan 14, 1907 (Annual Meeting)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, GA., Jan. 14, 1907

Annual meeting of the church held this evening, Vice Chairman John L. Moore presiding. Meeting called to order at 8:25 P.M.

Present: Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lederle, Mr. end Mrs. St. Amand, Mr. and Mrs. Francis, Mr. and Mrs. Daniels, Messrs. Hartshorn, Schwoen, Douglas, Watts, Wells, Harding, Jackson and Rev. Rush R. Shippen, Madames: Beardsley, Behre, Kreuser, Smith, and Misses Martin and Margaret Lederle, in all 24.

Minutes of the last annual and last quarterly meeting read and approved.

Mr. Hamilton Douglas Superintendent of the Sunday school read a report of the Sunday school which was approved and ordered spread on the minutes and will be found following the minutes.

Mr. J.E. Harding Clerk of the church, furnished a report showing the number of meetings held during the year, and the attendance for the year, which averaged 86 (Archivist Note:  this number of 86 appears high, but the original typed meeting meetings show this number) and a fraction, the Clerk’s report was also approved, ordered spread on the minutes and will he found following the minutes.

Mrs. J.R. Beardsley as President of the Women’s Alliance – made a full and comprehensive report of the work done by the Alliance during the year, which was approved and ordered spread on the minutes and will be found following the minutes.

J.G. St. Amand as Treasurer of the church made a detailed report of receipts and disbursements for the year 1906 which after paying the entire current expenses showed a balance in the hands of the Treasurer on January 1st 1907 – for the year 1906 of $124.08.

The Treasurer’s report will he found following the minutes.

Miss Hattie Martin suggested organizing a Young People’s Union. (Archivist Note: See Archivist Note at below citation.  This appears to reference the Unitarian Young People’s Religious Union Y.P.R.U.) The question was freely discussed by Rev. Mr. Shippen, Messrs. Douglas, Jackson, Lederle, Mrs. Behre and Miss Lederle. Upon motion of Dr. Jackson the chair appointed the following committee to draft a plan of organization and conclude arrangements and organize a Union. Miss Hattie Martin, Miss Margaret Lederle, Miss Alice Ormond, and Messrs. Frank Lederle, R.G. Wells and Alfredo Barili.

Dr. Shippen suggested that a committee be appointed to look up absentees from Sunday worship, and urge them to attend regularly and suggested that the committee be designated as a hospitality committee, the suggestion of Dr. Shippen was heartily endorsed by Mr. Hartshorne, Dr. Jackson, Mrs. Behre, Mrs. Francis and Miss Martin, upon motion of Dr. Jackson, the Chair appointed four members who would constitute the hospitality committee as follows J.G. St. Amand Chairman, Mr. Frank Lederle and Madames: Francis and Douglas, said committee being empowered to enlarge their number as in their judgment they may deem expedient to produce substantial results.

Mr. Hamilton Douglas and others suggested that if agreeable to Dr. Shippen and he would furnish copy, that Dr. Shippen’s sermons ought to be published in the Monday morning Constitution. Dr. Shippen readily consented to furnish copy and Mr. Douglas agreed to see that they appeared in the Constitution on the following Monday.

The committee on nominations through Mr. St. Amand as Chairman presented a list of the officers proposed by the committee for the year 1907 to be voted upon. Said report was adopted by the meeting and the Clerk was requested to cast, the ballot for those present.

The salary of the pastor was fixed at fifteen hundred dollars $(1500.00) per annum.

The Treasurer presented a subscription list and $1,107.00 was promptly subscribed.

Secretary’s Report for 1906

We began the year with an enrolled membership of 44. The largest attendance on any one Sunday during the first half of the year was on Jan. 28th, when 44 were present. On May 20th, we had only 28 present, which was the smallest attendance between Jan. 1st and July 1st. General average for this period – 36.

The largest attendance on any one Sunday since July 1st was on July 15th, when 49 were present. Smallest number present for the last half of the year was on Sept. 23d. On this Sunday 18 were in attendance. The race troubles of the night previous accounts for the marked difference in our numbers.

General average for the latter half of the year – 33
Regularly enrolled, membership at close of year – 40
Average for first half of year – 36
Average for second half of year – 32
General average for entire year – 34

As stated above, we began the year with 44 members. This number, however, includes only those whom we have considered regularly connected with the Sunday school. Whenever a larger attendance has been noted, there have been visitors. As for instance during the summer months, beginning with July 1st, although several of our regular members were out of the city, the attendance shows from 45 to 49 present each Sunday. This was due to the fact that we held our exercises in the auditorium of the church, and not only members from the congregation came to help us but, strangers coming to hear a sermon, remained with us for the morning. When we began our exercises in the main part of the church, commencing at the service hour, 11 o’clock, instead of our usual time, it was decided to continue through the month of July at least, in order to keep the church from being entirely closed. On the last Sunday in July, it was decided after some discussion, that the Sunday school continue its exercises in the main auditorium until September, the time for the regular re-opening of the church. This was done, and the regular attendance of the church members, who did come, proved their interest in the studies considered.

To further the general welfare of the school, several committees were appointed by the superintendent, as follows: (in May)

Picnic: Theodore Behre, chairman; Misses Angie Harding, Janet Stirling and Janet Douglas.

School Room: Gilbert Govan, chair, and Jean Colvin, Miss Frances Lederle.

Flowers and Decorations: Phillip Francis, chairman; Percy Freeman, and Miss Lederle.

Removal from the city in the spring, took two children, the Karstrands from our ranks, and later Mrs. Colvin’s three have been absent for the same reason. Our Asst. Supt. also Mr. Geo. Crafts

Financially, we have met all expenses incurred during the year, and have a neat balance on hand to further our work for 1907.

The short meetings held immediately at close of exercises, although only recently inaugurated, will no doubt prove an excellent idea for the good of the School; and all who have an interest the growth and general welfare of this department of the Church, are cordially requested to join us, not only for these meetings, but for our entire exercises, as well.

Unitarian Sunday School Treasurer’s Report for 1906

Receipts

Jan 1 Cash on Hand $10.08
Jan 1 to Dec 31st, Offerings $86.31
1 gold star, replacement .65
Total Receipts for 1906 $97.04

Disbursements

Jan 21 Pictures for 2nd Class .50
Apr 5 2 ½ dozen enamel stars 2.50
½ dozen silver stars 1.02
Easter Offering to Unit. S.S. 3.79
Apr 22 Contribution to San Francisco  1.93
Apr 9 Bill for “Brown” pictures 7.15
May 18 Lessons to May 1st 9.08
July 2 Flowers to Mr. and Mrs. Schwoen 2.50
July 8 Frt on books to Warrior Ala 4.83
Sep 24 1/3 doz. Gold stars 2.60
Oct 8 Tuning piano 2.50
Oct 9 Map and express 2.35
Oct 14 4 doz. Pictures for 2nd class .48
Oct 25 Lessons from May 1 to Oct 2st 4.00
Oct 25 Subscription to paper to 1906 4.00
Nov 22 Christmas stockings 1.18
Nov 27 Pulpit Bible and sundries 8.70
Dec Contribution to Home for Incurables 2.10
Ice for summer 1.15 postage & 71 cts 1.86
To Primary class for sundries .95
Dec 31 2 books for kindergarten class 1.00
Dec 31 Candy, fruit, nuts, tree Xmas 6.95
Total disbursements for 1906 $71.97

Dec 31, Balance Cash on hand . . . . . . . . $25.07

General Summary of Expenditures

For Stars 6.22
Lessons, pictures, paper, etc. $28.56
Bible 8.70
Sundries as flowers, ice, frt, postage 20.23
Christmas tree, candy, fruit, nuts, etc. 8.13

Mr Douglas called attention to the Burn’s meeting to be hole at the church and urged upon the member to bestir themselves and dispose of as many tickets as possible, as the process of the evening was for the benefit of the Woman’s Alliance.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned with good cheer.

<signed>

J.E. Kennedy, Clerk

Archivist Note: The meeting minute book has the clerks adjournment notation on page 303 on an un-number record book page.  However, on page 303 and subsequent pages there are additional materials apparently from the annual meeting of January 14, 1907.  Those materials (e.g., Report from the Nominating Committee, Clerk’s Report for 1906, Report from the Woman’s Alliance and additional detailed reporting from the treasurer) are present below in the in order in which they appear on the physical pages of the meeting notebook.

Nominating Committee

Atlanta, January 11, 1907

To the Congregation of the Unitarian Church of Atlanta:

We, the committee appointed to nominate officers for the ensuing year beg to report as follows

For Pastor: Rev. R.R. Shippen
For members of Board of Trustees for the new term of three years as follows: J.C. Peck, W.M. Francis, D.E. Spencer
Trustees whose terms have not expired and who will serve two years:  Julius A. Watts, John L. Moore, Frank Lederle
Trustees whose terms have not expired and who will serve for one year (during 1907):  Chas. H. Behre, A.F. Walker, Dr. Wm. A. Jackson.
For Treasurer:  J. G. St. Amand
For Clerk:  J. E. Harding
For advisory committee: T.C. Perkins, Mrs. Cora P. Williams,  William J. Govan
For Superintendent Sunday School: Hamilton Douglas
For assistant Supt. Sunday School: J. E. Harding

<signed>

J.G. St. Amand
Jno. L. Moore
Mrs. Chas. H. Behre

Report of the Clerk for the Year 1906

Regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees have been held during the year with the exception of two months during the summer.

Quarterly and Call meeting of the church have been held from time to time to transact the business coming before the church.

Forty-three Sunday services have been held during the year.  The average attendance for the whole year was eight-six (86) and a fraction, which is I believe the largest yearly average we ever had.

To go into detail, the average attendance for the twenty-five Sunday services held by Dr. Sanborn up to and including the last Sunday in June was one hundred and five and three-fourths (105 3/4).

During July and August no church services were held.

During the five Sundays in September in which Lay services were held, the average Sunday attendance was fifty-two (52).

During attendance during the thirteen Sundays in which Dr. Shippen has been our Pastor up to and including the last Sunday in December was sixty-four and one thirteenth (64 1/13).

Respectfully submitted,

<signed>

J.E. Harding, Clerk

Woman’s Alliance Report

The Woman’s Alliance met the 1st, 3rd and 4th Tuesdays in the month for the year just closed with two months vacation in the summer.  The following officers presiding: President, Mrs. J.R. Beardsley; Vice President, Mrs. W.C. Van Valen; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Henry Smith; Corresponding Secretary, Miss Alice Ormond; Treasurer, Mrs. W.M. Francis.

The 1st and 3rd meetings have been for business, the 4th for study.

We have on our roll 30 resident members although only about 1/3 are active.

We have worked hard this year in many ways. Beginning in Feb, we had a Valentine party which netted us $18.00. In the same month, we had charge of the Sheltering Arms restaurant for one day and took in for them nearly $100.  We also added our mite consisting of $1.26 to the Sunshine Society of New York, helping in a small way the grand work they are doing to carry sunshine and cheer into thousands of dreary lives.

In March we gave two receptions one at the resident of Mrs. Francis for Mrs. Ames and one at Mrs. Behre’s for Mr. & Mrs. Wilson and Mr. Jenkin Lloyd Jones.

In March we had an Easter Sales at the home of Mrs. Moore at which we cleared $36.43. Two very disagreeable but successful rummage sales were held one in the Spring and one in the Fall meeting netting respectively $30.00 and $23.80.

Our Christmas sale held a few weeks ago cleared $56.00. We have taken up an entirely new line of work since Fall that of selling evergreens for decorations for churches, weddings, etc.  Mrs. Williams is chairman of this committee and although we had a late start so that we could do nothing in the way of  advertising in our church papers, we had on hand $16.65 as the result after all bills for stationary, printing, postage, etc were paid. We hope to build up this work and make it pay so well that we may do away with rummage sales and other schemes for raising funds.

We are trying to bring our church people more together by having something in the way of a social each month. In October, Mrs. Douglas gave a Halloween party at her home having an attendance of about 100.  In November, the Harvest Supper at the church had its usual good attendance.  For December, the Xmas entertainment was very enjoyable. We hope to continue this plan for the remainder of the month.

Out of the money we have raised, we have paid our church treasure $130.00, dues to National Alliance $8.34, Southern Associate Alliance dues $1.00, Southern Circuit Work $3.00, dues to the Free Kindergarten Association of Atlanta $5.00, to Mary Rouel Free Kindergarten for lunches and Xmas entertainment about $15.00.  New dishes for church pantry $9.00.  On decorating the church at Easter and Xmas $10.00. In paying janitor form $1.00 to $2.50 each time for extra work for entertainments, house cleaning, etc.  For buying brooms, mops, matches, soaps, tacks and dozens of other small items.

Also keeping up the Post Office Mission work of sending out Unitarian Literature.

We belong to the Needle Work Guild of America with Mrs. Moore as our section president and have turned in this year to the head of the society 110 new garments and #20.00 in money to be distributed among the chartiable institutes of the city.

On looking over our record book of several years, I find we have had a very successful year in all except attendance, but I think that if a few can do so well, we may do still greater things in the coming year if we can work up enthusiasm among some of our members who have not been with us as often as we should like to have them.

Respectfully Submitted,

<signed>

Ida Harding Beardsley, President

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer’s Report covering receipts and disbursements form  from Jan 1, 1906 to Jan 14, 1907 (for year 1906)

Receipts Amount
Sunday Collections $330.37
J.B. Frost $24.00
D.E. Spencer $59.50
F. Schwoon $9.00
Socius Club $6.60
J.C. Peck $100.00
C.H. Behre $75.00
Mrs. Annie F. Taylor $15.00
Special Collection A.U.A.  $15.00
Miss Sarah G, Whaley $35.00
Miss Angie Harding $5.00
Grand Opera House collection $142.88
Episcopal church for windows $25.00
J.G. St. Amand $104.00
Julius R. Watts $50.00
W.M. Francis $30.00
Frank Lederle $100.00
Hugh C. Scott $25.00
A.F. Walker $25.00
Mrs. Rose S. Colvin $3.00
Ralph H. Brown $50.00
Geo. Fowle and wife $15.00
Dr. W.A. Jackson $50.00
Miss Hattie Martin $25.00
John L. Moore $100.00
Woman’s Alliance $130.00
T.C. Perkins $12.50
R.G. Wells $11.00
San Francisco Sufferers $50.65
R.F. Shedden $10.00
Earl Moore $10.00
H.A. Smith $25.00
Mrs. A. Karstrand $2.50
Mrs. Alfredo Barili $20.00
Mrs. Cora P. Williams $30.00
Mrs. U.O. Roberston $50.00
Sub Total Receipts $2,308.50
Amount in hands of Treas. Jan 1, 1906 $118.55
Total Receipts $2,427.05
Disbursements
Rev. Moore Sanborn $1,000.00
Rev. R.R. Shippen $375.00
Opera House Expense $329.25
Piedmont Hotel Mr. Shippen’s bill $25.00
Insurance on property $20.05
Repairs to church property $44.30
E.H. Thornton Treas San Francisco Sufferers $50.65
Ex. Account Lights, water, printing, etc. $96.47
Mrs. A.M. Lederle Organist $45.00
Mrs. T.J. Harper Organist $16.50
Mrs. A.M. Wynne Singer $123.75
E.C. Paine Singer $4.00
Erwin Mueller Violinist $10.00
Miss Ticker & Friend Singers $10.00
Special Collection A.U.A. $15.00
Janitor $91.00
Sub Total Disbursements $2,302,97
Amount in hand of Treasurer today $124.08
Balance made up as follows
Note of Ralph H. Brown due Feb 14, 1907 $37.50
Note H.A. Smith due March 15, 1907 $25.00
Chk C.H. Behre $46.25
Cash on Hand $15.33
Total $124.08

Atlanta, Ga., January 14, 1907

Respectfully Submitted,

<signed>

J.G. St. Amand, Treasurer

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26  Folder: 06    Book: 01 Pages: 300 – 307
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

 

Archivist Note: There is scant mention of the Unitarian Young People’s Religious Union (Y.P.R.U.) in the records of the Unitarian church archive.  The Unitarian Young People’s Religious Union was founded in 1896.

See reference to a report in the Annual Meeting of 1902 to a report from the President of the Young People’s Religious Union.

In the archive records of Atlanta Universalists, there is extensive information on the Universalist’s Young People’s Christian Union (Y.P.C.U.).

The Atlanta Universalist’s church was considered a missionary church that was explicitly supported by the Universalist’s Y.P.C.U. National organization.  The “young” element of the name of the association is a bit misleading.  When this “young people’s” organization was founded in 1889, membership age boundaries were rather elastic.  It was not unusal for individuals to join in their mid-thirties and linger on the rolls until their mid-fifties.  In later years this “elastic membership criteria” became more youth focused.  However, at the time of the formative years membership in the Universalist’s Young People’s Christian Union was quite open.

Unitarian Church of Atlanta - Meeting Minutes, Jan 7, 1907 (New Members)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga., January 7, 1907

At the regular morning service hold this day Mr. R.A. Taaffe united with the church, the right hand of fellowship being given him by Rev. Rush R. Shippen.

<signed>

J.E. Harding, Clerk
Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 25 Folder: 06 Book: 01 Page: 299
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

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