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Professor Means

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Professor T.E. Means owned property on Church Street where he had a residence and building which was used as a school.   This property was purchased by the Church of our Father in 1882 in order to erect the first Unitarian church in Atlanta called the Church of our Father.

This posting provides varies references in contemporary newspaper articles to provide a context to Prof. Means’s property in the history to the Church of our Father.

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) · Fri, Aug 18, 1876 · Page 4

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) · Fri, Aug 18, 1876 · Page 4

August 18, 1876 The Atlanta Constitution

Professor Means, of Gordon institute, is now remodeling his residence on Church street. When finished it will add much to the beauty of that street.  Several new residences have been finished on Market street and what was an old field two years ago is now a densely settled locality adorned with beautiful residences and occupied by some of the most respectable of our citizens.

 

 

 

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) · Sun, Dec 29, 1878 · Page 1

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) · Sun, Dec 29, 1878 · Page 1

December 29, 1878 The Atlanta Constitution

We call attention to the advertisement of Professor T. E. Means who offers special inducements to parents who have children to send to school.  He is a most capable instructor, and his ripe experience in teaching fits him to train the young idea admirably.  Professor Means is making a fine reputation in Atlanta.

 

 

 

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) · Fri, Sep 9, 1881 · Page 10

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) · Fri, Sep 9, 1881 · Page 10

September 9, 1881 The Atlanta Constitution

Begins tis fourth scholastic year on the first Monday in September, 1881 and ends the 20th of June, 1882.  We promise our patrons to work earnestly and use every means possible to give our pupils the advantage of all improved modes of discipline. In order to improve the carriage and direct the aimless energies of our students, when not in study, we have made arrangements to exercise them in military tactics.  Address for catalogues.

T.E. Means, A.M.
A.D. Smith, B.E.,
Chas. F. Gilmard, Bachelier-es-Letters
75 North Forsyth Street

Allergic to β€œGod”

15 May 2018 at 21:47
By: wwuud

During a video meeting with the UU Mystics, one of the participants mentioned people who are β€œallergic to the mention of God.”

We in the UU world are all too frequently places of woundedness, whereas our mission is to become places of healing.1

We do this by approaching others on an β€œaffect” level, to connect heart-to-heart.

We also have much to do in helping people find concepts of God that work for them…

Β 

Β 

1 I cannot find the source of this idea, but somehow attribute it to Thandeka.

Coffee, Coffee, Coffee

8 July 2018 at 20:50

Original Lyrics

Coffee, Coffee, Coffee

(sung to the tune of Holy, Holy, Holy)Β by Christopher Raible

Coffee, Coffee, Coffee,Β Praise the strength of coffee.
Early in the morn we rise with thoughts of only thee.
Served fresh or reheated,Β Dark by thee defeated,
Brewed black by perk or drip or instantly.

Though all else we scoff, we come to church for coffee;
If we’re late to congregate, we come in time for thee.
Coffee our one ritual,Β Drinking it habitual,
Brewed black by perk or drip instantly.

Coffee the communionΒ Of our Uni-Union,
Symbol of our sacred ground, our one necessity.
Feel the holy power at our coffee hour,
Brewed black by perk or drip or instantly.

I suggest swapping two lines:

Coffee, Coffee, Coffee,Β Praise the strength of coffee.
Early in the morn we rise with thoughts of only thee.
Served fresh or reheated,Β Dark by thee defeated,
Brewed black by perk or drip or instantly.

Feel the holy power at our coffee hour,
If we’re late to congregate, we come in time for thee.
Coffee our one ritual,Β Drinking it habitual,
Brewed black by perk or drip instantly.

Coffee the communionΒ Of our Uni-Union,
Symbol of our sacred ground, our one necessity.
Though all else we scoff, we come to church for coffee;
Brewed black by perk or drip or instantly.

Just makes more sense to me, as if this is supposed to make sense!

Christopher Raible Remembrances (2011)

Near the end of an almost one hour interview, Rev. Raible discusses parody hymns and reads his most famous one.

This hymn is likely in his pamphlet,Β Β Hymns for the cerebration of strife : freely translated from a well-known Unitarian Universalist publication of similar title,Β 
Raible, Christopher G., Boston, Mass. : Unitarian Universalist Association,Β 1972.

Leaving Sanctuary

21 August 2018 at 19:47
By: wwuud

Sandra Lopez and childSandra Lopez sought sanctuary last year.

Now she is leaving.

β€œSandra is leaving the sanctuary of our congregation and goes into the larger sanctuary of our community,” the Rev. Shawna Foster, minister at Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist, said in the statement. β€œThis valley wants to keep families together and is committed to the unity of our neighborhoods by supporting sanctuary for almost a year.

Success from 1972

12 November 2018 at 20:40
By: wwuud

No smokingAt our 1972 General Assembly, we passed a General Resolution calling for β€œthe banning of smoking from all closed places of public meeting.”1

We were out front on this issue, as this was one year before Arizona became the first state to have some smoke-free public places.2

It was a small social justice issue, yet it’s good to see the arc of the universe still bending towards justice!3

Β 

Β 

1 β€œSmoking in Public Places,” UUA.org, June 1972, https://www.uua.org/action/statements/smoking-public-places

2 Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Acute Coronary Events, The Background of Smoking Bans (National Academies Press (US), 2010), https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK219563/.

3 Unitarian Minister Theodore Parker, 1853

Newbury, SC, UU Congregation becomes a Sanctuary Church

3 December 2018 at 18:50
By: wwuud

Clayton Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church, Newbury, SCClayton Memorial Unitarian Universalist ChurchΒ in Newbury, South Carolina, joins a growing list of UU congregations making the commitment to offer sanctuary to immigrants who have not received full consideration of their plight and life here in the United States.

Change does happen…

12 December 2018 at 11:32
By: wwuud

A poem, title unknown, by Rev. Lindi Ramsden, from her 2014 Berry Street Essay

Change does happen;

sometimes so slowly we can’t see it.

So we foster friendships beyond the familiar, organize for the long haul,

invest ourselves in the daily tasks of change, building networks of trust.

AND THEN,

When public assumptions start to crack and open, stunned by reality into the necessity for change,

We are ready to move history:

ready with ideas and networks, songs and strategy, courage and compassion.

A good farm has soil built up, slowly, over generations, yet also knows the urgency of the harvest.

Justice too,

requires the long view

and powerful work in the ripe moment.

Nothing in Life is Ordained

7 March 2019 at 18:21
By: wwuud

Ordained

by Rev. Dr. Lynn UngarΒ 

Nothing in life is ordained, nothing.
An acorn contains the exact plan for an oak,
but earth and wind and water have a say
in how the tree will grow, or fail to thrive.
You can set off down the road to Graceland
and end up in Dollywood instead.
You might be set to spend your life
talking to people about sex,
and find yourself dealing in God.
It happens.
You do not ordain yourself,
nor does the past,
nor the fates,
nor some omnipotent deity.
If your life is to be ordained,
it is by the sum of the parts,
the gathered force of love nudging you
irresistibly toward the next step.

Meet Karen Uhlenbeck, The First Woman to Ever Win the β€˜Nobel Prize of Math’

22 March 2019 at 11:01
By: wwuud
Karen Uhlenbeck
Karen Uhlenbeck

When Dr. Uhlenbeck found out she’d won, she was leaving her Unitarian Universalist Church when she received a text message from a colleague telling her to look out for a call from Norway. β€œI pressed the button and called [the Abel committee] back and they told me I’d wonβ€”and I had to sit down,” Dr. Uhlenbeck toldΒ Glamour.

Read the whole story…

Odd Twitter Campaign

2 May 2019 at 00:19
By: wwuud

Puzzled Twitter mascot birdThe Twitter campaign revealed here is apparently not something that Unitarian Universalists (UUs) are doing, yet deserves some exposure here. This WWUUD site has an automated collection system that pulls in UU-related information into the Stream. As an automated system, it often gets information that is not really of interest to UUs, or is even negative.

Since the information is concentrated here in a list that I occasionally review, some odd trends sometime appear.

Near the end of 2018, a handful of Twitter accounts started tweeting about the July 27, 2008 Knoxville UU Church shooting. These tweets have been coming at an increasing rate, for a total of at least 130 messages, listed below.

I do not know the motivations of those with these accounts. It appears to be a small part of a much bigger campaign. I do think it has some intent to shift conversations, search engine results and possibly even sway public opinion. And I know it makes me uncomfortable that someone, some robot, or a few people, are putting much effort into this.

I welcome others to investigate these accounts and draw their own conclusions. Post on the WWUUD Facebook page if you have any idea what’s going on!

View the list in a full window

Books by Rev. George Leonard Chaney

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Rev. George Leonard Chaney published several books.  Below is a list of books and, when available, URL links to access a copy of a book.

  • Hollis Street Church from Mather Byles to Thomas Starr King, 1732-1861: Two Discourses Given in Hollis Street Meeting-house, Dec. 31, 1876, and Jan. 7, 1877.  Published 1877 provides a history of the Hollis Street Church in Boston.  The Rev. Chaney assumed the pulpit left vacate by the Rev. Starr King.  Rev. Chaney remained as pastor of the the Hollis Street Church from 1862 to 1877.  Click here to access a free version of the book on Google Books.
  • F. Grant & Co., Or, Partnerships: A Story for the Boys who “mean Business”. Published in 1875 <insert summary>.  Click here to access a free version of the book on Archive.org.
  • Tom: A Home Story.  Published in 1877  the book recounts the family life of Tom, Dick and Harry, his three sisters as well as his mother and father. From a contemporary review, “The boys are restless, wide-awake, active little fellows, flu of pranks and plans, but sturdy, manly and above meanness.Tom want to go to see, and his parents are wise enough not to drive him way from home by persistently combatting his desire….”  The review concludes, “The book is one to be safely recommended, and contains enough incident and adventure to make it a very readable book for young people.”  No ebook is available on Google Books.  The book can be purchased on Amazon.com.
  • Self-culture, Self-sacrifice and Self-forgetting. Published in 1877, this is not a book, but the publication of address Rev. Chaney provided to the Hudson River Conference on April 10, 1877.  Click here to access a free access to the address that appears on page 531 of The Unitarian Review, Volume 7 Google Books.
  • ALOHA!”: A Hawaiian Salutation.  Published in 1880 the book recount Chaney’s several week experience in Hawaii.  His wife’s family, the Carters, had seafaring business on the islands.  The book is dedicated to his wife’s cousin, “The Honorable and Mrs. H.A.P. Carter”.  Click here to access a free version of the book on Google Books.
  • Every-day Life and Every-day Morals.  Published in  1885 contains a series of Sunday evening lectures delivered by Rev. Chaney.  Per a contemporary review topics include: “Arts and Morals,” “Juvenile Literature and Morals”,” “Industry and Morals,” “Business and Morals,” “The Stage and Morals,” “The Press and Morals,” “The Pulpit and Morals.”  Click here to view a PDF version of the book from Google Books for a free copy of the book.
  • Beliefs. Published in 1889 the book contains eight sermon delivered by the Rev. Chaney while pastor of the Church of our Father in Atlanta. Per a contemporary review “the sermons  “a bright, fair, earnest presentation of the ‘liberal’ Christian’s views of Man, God, Christ, Holy Spirit, Hell, Heaven and the church..” Click here to view a PDF version of the book from Google Books for a free copy of the book.

Initial Universalist Services in Atlanta

1 January 2014 at 00:00

The table below contains a chronology of early Universalist services held in Atlanta.  The data in the table was obtained by reviewing church and other notices in contemporary Atlanta newspapers.

 

Date Service Description
Jul 19, 1879 From proceeding of General Assembly: Mr. Duggar, of Fannin – A resolution to gran the use of the hall on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights to Rev. W.C. Bowman, of North Carolina, for a series of free lectures.  Agreed to.
Jul 20, 1879 The Churches To-day column:  Rev. W.C. Bowman, Universalist, of North Carolina, will preach at 11am and 8pm in the hall of representatives capitol building. Music under the direction of Charles A. Capwell.

No other references to Universalists or Rev. W.C. Bowman in the Atlanta papers until September 1879

Sep 7, 1879 Rev. W.C. Bowman, universalist, will preach to-day at 11 a.m. at the Georgia Academy of Science, on Mitchell street between Whitehall and Broad. Subject in the morning: “What must I do to be saved?” Acts xvi:30. Sunday-school at 3 p.m. The public are cordially invited to attended.
Sep 21, 1979 Georgia Academy of Science, hall No. 9 Mitchell street – Preaching at 11 a.m. by Rev. W.C. Bowman. Subject: “The End of the World.” Text: Matthew xiii.  At night a practical discourse from the 12th chapter of Romans. The public are cordially invited.
Oct 19, 1879 Georgia Academy of Science, hall No. 9 Mitchell street – Rev. W.C. Bowman, Universalist, will deliver a discourse at 11 a.m. on “The Devil.” At 7:30 p.m.: “Why Men Continue to Sin.” Text – Eccl viii:11. Seats free.
Oct 26, 1879 Georgia Academy of Science, hall No. 9 Mitchell street – Rev. W.C. Bowman, Universalist, will deliver a discourse at 11 a.m. on “What is Truth.” At 7:30 p.m.: “The Truth Tested.” Seats free.
Nov 2, 1879 Georgia Academy of Science, hall No. 9 Mitchell street – Rev. W.C. Bowman, Universalist, will deliver a discourse at 11 a.m. on “Rational Evidence.” At 7:30 p.m.: “Goodness of God.” Seats free.
Dec 14, 1897 Universalist, hall No 9. Mitchell street – W.C. Bowman, pastor. Preaching at 11 a.m. Text “The Church Assembly.”
Feb 15, 1880 Universalist, hall No 9. Mitchell street – W.C. Bowman, pastor. Preaching at 11 a.m. by Dr. Clayton. Topic: “Christ as Teacher of the Truth.” At night by the pastor. Topic: “Wisdom of God in the Bible.” Sunday-school at 9:30 a.m.
Mar 21, 1880 Universalist, hall No 9. Mitchell street – W.C. Bowman, pastor. Preaching at 11 a.m. – Topic: “What the Universalist Believe.” At night by the pastor. Topic: “Bible Proofs of Universal Salvation.” Sunday-school at 9:30 a.m.
Apr 4, 1880 Universalist, hall No 9. Mitchell street – W.C. Bowman, pastor. Preaching at 11 a.m. by the pastor – Topic: “Christ the Way, the Truth and the Life.” The Bible Doctrine of Rewards and Punishments.” Sunday-school at 9:30 a.m.
May 16, 1880 Universalist, hall No 9. Mitchell street – W.C. Bowman, pastor. Preaching at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. by the pastor.  Topic for morning sermon: “The Mission of Universalism.”  Night: “What Wisdom Is and Where to Get It.” Sunday-school at 9:30 a.m.
Jun 20, 1880 Universalist, hall No 9. Mitchell street – W.C. Bowman, pastor. Preaching at 11 a.m. by the pastor.  Topic: “Universalist View of Conversion.”  Dr. Clayton will preach at night. Subject announced at morning service. Sunday-school at 9:30 a.m.
Jul 24, 1880 That fine hall over the Orphan school, corner Forsyth and Walton streets, is being newly painted and elegantly fitted up to be used as a church by the Universalist. W.C. Bowman, pastor. Mr. M.A. Bell is canvassing the city for money to buy an organ for this church.
Aug 13, 1880 Go and hear Temperance Talk by Rev. D.B. Clayton, D.D., to-night at the Orphan Free School Hall, cor. Walton and Forsyth streets.
Sep 3, 1880 Rev. W.C. Bowman elected president of the State Prohibition Convention.
Oct 1, 1880 Published in the “Gossip” column: Dr. W.C. Bowman has been re-elected pastor of the Universalist church in the city.
Nov 2, 1880 Published in the “Personal Mention” column: Rev. Dr. Burrus, of Notasulga, Ala., editor of the Universalist Herald, preached two interesting sermons at Universalist hall Sunday.
Feb 13, 1881 All lovers of the good, the true and the beautiful will be refreshed and entertained by Rev. D.B. Clayton at Universalist hall, corner of Forsyth and Walton streets, this morning at 11 o’clock. Everyone welcome. Come!

 

In early 1881, the American Unitarian Association (A.U.A.) began efforts to establish a Unitarian presence in Atlanta.  We see examples pulpit sharing between Unitarians and Universalists in these early days that is consistence with the history of Universalists and Unitarians in Atlanta.

We also see at this time, Rev. W.C. Bowman’s  continuing spiritual evolution.  Rev. Bowman noted of his early life that he was a, “traveling Methodist preacher, and continued in the business fifteen years, meantime passing through the Civil War, serving a part of the time as a chaplain in the confederate army. I fully believed in the divine right of slavery and the justice, (the necessity even) of secession, for I had been so taught.”  Over time he evolved his spiritual beliefs declaring that he had become a Universalist.  His spiritual evolution was not complete. In the early 1880’s, we see his move to spiritualism.  The Universalist Hall becomes the Liberal and Spiritual church.  A formal Universalist presence begins to fade just as the time a formal Unitarian presence is beginning to appear.

Note that by March 27, 1881, the Rev. D.B. Clayton is noted as the pastor of the Universalist church.

Rev. Bowman leaves Atlanta in July 1883. At that time his church is referred to as the Spiritualism Society.

Date Service Description
 Mar 26, 1881 Rev. Heywood (Unitarian) preaches the Universalist Hall filling in for absent Universalist pastor. Moring topic “The Upward Path” a sermon on the life and character. Evening topic “The Adaptation of Liberal Christianity to Human Nature and Life”.  Heywood  “a pioneer among liberal Christians in the South…is now visiting Atlanta for the purpose of looking over the field and determining whether the prospects are sufficiently promising to encourage Unitarians to enter upon the permanent denominational work here.”
 Mar 27, 1881 Universalist Hall, corner Walton and Forsyth streets – Rev. D.B. Clayton, pastor. Preaching at 11:00 a.m. and at 7:30 p.m., by the Rev. John H. Heywood, of Louisville. Subjects: “The Upward Path” and “Liberal Christianity.” Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. Seats free.
Apr 17, 1881 Universalist Hall, corner Walton and Forsyth streets – Rev. D.B. Clayton, pastor. Preaching at 11:00 a.m. and at 8:0 p.m. by the pastor.  Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. Seats free.

 Begin seeing notices for the Liberal and Spiritual Church, Rev. Bowman, pastor as well as preaching by Rev. Clayton at separate locations.

 

 Oct 9, 1881 The Church Notices column: Liberal and Spiritual church, corner of Walton and Forsyth streets – Rev. W.C. Bowman, pastor. Lecture at 7:30 p.m. by Rev. W.C. Bowman.
 Oct 23, 1881 The Church Notices column: Liberal and Spiritual church, corner of Walton and Forsyth streets – Rev. W.C. Bowman, pastor. Lecture at 7:30 p.m. by Rev. W.C. Bowman.
 Jan 15, 1882 The Church Notices column: Liberal and Spiritual church, corner of Walton and Forsyth streets – Rev. W.C. Bowman, pastor. Services at 11 a.m. and  7:30 p.m.
 Jan 22, 1882 The Church Notices column: Liberal and Spiritual church, corner of Walton and Forsyth streets – Rev. W.C. Bowman, pastor. Services at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
 Feb 19, 1882 The Church Notices column: Liberal and Spiritual church, corner of Walton and Forsyth streets – Rev. W.C. Bowman, pastor. Services at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
 May 8, 1882 Temperance hall, 9 ½ Mitchell street – Preaching by Rev. D.B. Clayton, Universalist, at 11 a.m.  and 8 p.m.
 May 14, 1882 Liberal and Spiritual church – Regular services at the hall, corner of Whitehall and Peters streets.  Children’s Progress Lyceum at 10 a.m. Experience meeting 11 a.m. Rev. W.J. Ellis at 8 p.m. You are cordially invited to meet with us.
 May 28, 1882 Liberal and Spiritual church – Regular services at the hall, corner of Whitehall and Peters streets.  Children’s Progress Lyceum at 10 a.m. Experience meeting 11 a.m. Rev. W.J. Ellis at 8 p.m. You are cordially invited to meet with us.
 Jun 2, 1882 Temperance hall, 9 ½ Mitchell street – Preaching by Rev. D.B. Clayton, Universalist, at 11 a.m.  and 8 p.m.
 Jun 4, 1882 Liberal and Spiritual church – Regular services at the hall, corner of Whitehall and Peters streets.  Children’s Progress Lyceum at 10 a.m. Experience meeting 11 a.m. Rev. W.J. Ellis at 8 p.m. You are cordially invited to meet with us.
 Jun 11, 1882 Temperance hall, 9 ½ Mitchell street – Preaching by Rev. D.B. Clayton, Universalist, at 11 a.m.  and 8 p.m.
 Aug 13, 1882 Liberal and Spiritual church, corner Peters and Whitehall street. Children’s Progressive Lyceum meets at 10 a.m. Lecture by Mrs. Van Duzee at 11 am and Dr. W.C. Bowman at 8 p.m.
 Sep 3, 1882 Liberal and Spiritual church, corner Peters and Whitehall street.  Lecture by Mrs. Van Duzee at 11 am and Dr. W.C. Bowman at 8 p.m.  Public cordially invited.
 Sep 24, 1882 Liberal and Spiritual church, corner Peters and Whitehall street. Children’s Progressive Lyceum meets at 10 a.m. Lecture by Mrs. Van Duzee at 11 am and Dr. W.C. Bowman at 8 p.m. Seats free. Public invited.
 Oct 15, 1882 Liberal and Spiritual Church. Meets in Liberal Hall, No 140 Whitehall street. Children’s Progressive Lyceum at 10 a.m. Lectures at 11 a.m. and 7:45 p.m. by Mrs. Carrie C. Duzee and Dr. W.C. Bowman.
Oct 27, 1882 In the City News column: Mr. W.C. Bowman, who for several months had had supervision of the letter carriers of the Atlanta post-office, had tendered his resignation to take effect on the 1st of November. It is said that the vacancy will probably be filled by appointment of Mr. Seifert of Macon.  Dr. Bowman will devote his time to lecturing in the Universalist hall and editing “Light for Thinkers.”
Oct 29, 1882 Liberal and Spiritual Church. Meets in Liberal Hall, No 140 Whitehall street. Children’s Progressive Lyceum at 10 a.m. Lectures at 11 a.m. and 7:45 p.m. by Mrs. Carrie C. Duzee and Dr. W.C. Bowman.
Nov 5, 1882 Liberal and Spiritual Church. Meets in Liberal Hall, No 140 Whitehall street. Children’s Progressive Lyceum at 10 a.m. Lectures at 11 a.m. and 7:45 p.m. by Mrs. Carrie C. Duzee and Dr. W.C. Bowman.
Jul 8, 1883 In the Church Services column: Spiritualism.  Spiritualism Society – Liberal hall corner Whitehall and Peters street. Lecture Sunday July 8th at 8 p.m. by Rev. W.C. Bowman. A farewell service previous to his removal to Cincinnati. Public invited.
Jul 15, 1883 In the Church Services column: Spiritualism. Light for Thinkers Hall, corner Whitehall and Peters street. Lecture on “Organization” by G.W. Kates Sunday night at 8 p.m. Public invited.  Archivist Note: No further tracking of Spiritualist included in the Digital Archive.
Sep 9, 1883 Universalist. Universalist services – Rev. D.B. Clayton at the dwelling house of J.J. Pillsbury, corner of Chatham and Thomas streets one square south of the cemetery.  Services at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. All who are not afraid of the truth are cordially invited to come out and hear it.

 

After this September 1883 notice in the Atlanta papers, there is limited reference to the Universalists until October 28, 1893 when a notice appears in the Constitution announcing that the Rev. Q.H. Shinn, Universalist, will hold a meeting in the Second Baptist tabernacle on Mitchell Street.

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Initial Unitarian Services in Atlanta

1 January 2014 at 00:00

The Unitarians started organizational efforts in Atlanta in Jan 1881.  The first evidence of this organizational effort was  an ad placed in the Atlanta papers on Jan 12, 1881  by the Rev. Enoch Powell  announcing the intent of the American Unitarian Association to establish a presence in the city.  See Unitarian Church Notice below.

Initial services were preached in the senate chambers on Jan 18, 1881.  In Feb 1882, the Rev. George Leonard Chaney began providing Unitarian services in the senate chambers, Concordia Hall, the US District Court room and Prof. Mean’s School room.

By March 1883, the Rev. Chaney formally established a Unitarian church in Atlanta called the Church of Our Father.  The timeline in the table below traces Unitarian services provided in Atlanta until the dedication of the Church of Our Father in April 1884.

1881.01.12 Notice - Early Notice of Upcoming Unitarian Services in Atlanta

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) Wed, Jan 12, 1881 Page 4

Unitarian Church Notice

Prominent citizens of Atlanta having expressed a desire to organize a Unitarian church in the city, therefore all persons interested in Unitarian Christianity are hereby notified and invited to aid in said organization. Time and place of meeting to be published in next or following issue of this paper.

Enoch Powell, for the American Unitarian Association.

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia)  Tue, Jan 18, 1881  Page 4

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) Tue, Jan 18, 1881 Page 4

Unitarian Services

By the courtesy of Governor Colquitt, services were held in the senate chamber at the capitol, Sunday afternoon, by the Rev. Enoch Powell, Unitarian. who preached an interesting and instructive sermon to a large and intelligent audience.

After services an informal meeting was held by those interested in establishing a Unitarian church in the city, and adjourned to meet again at 8 o’clock p m., Wednesday next in the break fast-room of the Kimball house.  All interested are cordially invited to be present.

Copyright © 2014 Newspapers.com. All Rights Reserved.

The table below contains a chronology of early Unitarian services held in Atlanta.  The data in the table was obtained by reviewing church and other notices in contemporary Atlanta newspapers.

Date Service / Description
Jan 12, 1881 Initial notice in the Atlanta papers indicating that an organization effort is underway to establish a Unitarian church in Atlanta.  The notice was posted by Enoch Powell for the American Unitarian Association.
Jan 18, 1881 Notice that Unitarian services were held in the senate chamber by the Rev. Enoch Powell.  After the service an informal meeting was held regarding establishing a Unitarian church.  A follow up meeting was planned at the breakfast room of the Kimball House on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m.
Feb 1, 1881 UnitarianismThe American Unitarian Association has begun work in this city with a view to the dissemination of knowledge of the doctrines, aims and purposes of the Unitarian church. It has been temporarily represented by the Rev. Enoch Powell of Birmingham, England, who has been here some weeks and is now about to return to other fields of labor. The religious services held in the senate clamber of the capitol and elsewhere were well attended and considerable interest has been awakened in the public mind concerning church but little <is> known here.It is the purpose of the association, we believe, to continue the work through cooperation with some of our citizens and to organize a church in our city.Among the distinguishing characteristics claimed by the denomination may be mentioned: its freedom from formulated creeds; its belief in a progressive religious life; its simplicity in church organizations and management, and its steady devotion to all philanthropic undertakings.In a city so cosmopolitan as Atlanta there is ample room for all denominations, and each, it its chosen sphere, has the hearty good wishes and will receive the deserved support of The Constitution.The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia)Tue, Feb 1, 1881  Page 4
Mar 26, 1881 Rev. Heywood (Unitarian) preaches the Universalist Hall filling in for absent Universalist pastor. Moring topic “The Upward Path” a sermon on the life and character. Evening topic “The Adaptation of Liberal Christianity to Human Nature and Life.”  Heywood  “a pioneer among liberal Christians in the South…is now visiting Atlanta for the purpose of looking over the field and determining whether the prospects are sufficiently promising to encourage Unitarians to enter upon the permanent denominational work here.”
Feb 18, 1882 In the Local Tin-Types From Our Reports Pocket Camera column: Rev. George Leonard Chaney, a Unitarian minister from Boston, Mass. Will preach in the senate chamber on Sunday at 3 o’ clock p.m. Subject: “Man: how much is he worth?” All are cordially invited.
Feb 26, 1882 George Leonard Chaney, a Unitarian clergyman of Boston, Mass. is visiting Atlanta at this time, in the interest of moral and religious reconstruction throughout the union. In the pursuit of his profession in Boston for fifteen years, he has been actively interested in the establishment of school for poor white children in Richmond, Va. and Wilmington, N. C., and for freedmen in Charleston, S. C., and Hampton, Va. He has labored for the cause of industrial education with Mr. Edward Atkinson, of Boston, and General Eaton, the commissioner of education in Washington, and these gentlemen bespeak for him the furtherance of our people. While here he will preach in the senate chamber on Sunday; giving the remainder of the week to inspecting our schools and industries.The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia)Sun, Feb 26, 1882  Page 7
Mar 3, 1882 Unitarian service in Concordia hall, 40 Marietta street, on Sunday evening at three o’clock. Rev. Geo. Leonard Chaney will preach. Subject: “Inter-dependence not Independence the Law of Christ.”
Mar 19, 1882 Published in the Church Notices column:  Unitarian service – Rev. George Leonard Chaney of Boston, Mass. Will preach in Concordia hall, 40 Mariette street, opposite DeGive’s opera house, at 3 o’clock.  Subject: “Many Sects but One Church.” All cordially invited.
Mar 26, 1882 Published in the Church Notices column: Unitarian service – Rev. George Leonard Chaney of Boston, Mass. Will preach in Concordia hall, 40 Mariette street, opposite DeGive’s opera house, at 3 o’clock.  Subject: “Being and Owning.” All cordially invited.
Apr 2, 1882 Published in the Church Notices column: Unitarian service – Concordia hall, 40 Marietta street, at 4pm.  Preaching by Rev. G.L. Chaney
Apr 23, 1882 Published in the Church Services column: Unitarian service – Concordia hall, 40 Marietta street, at 4pm.  Preaching by Rev. G.L. Chaney
Apr 30, 1882 Published in the Church Services column: Unitarian service – Concordia hall, 40 Marietta street, opposite DeGive’s opera house. Rev. G.L. Chaney, of Boston will preach at 4pm and the lecture at 8pm on “James Russell Lowell”.
May 8, 1882 Published in the Church Services column: Unitarian service – Concordia hall, 40 Marietta street, opposite DeGive’s opera house. Rev. G.L. Chaney, of Boston will preach at 4pm and the lecture at 8pm on “Ralph Waldo Emerson”.
May 15, 1882 Published in the Church Services column: Unitarian service – Concordia hall, 40 Marietta street, opposite DeGive’s opera house. Rev. G.L. Chaney, of Boston will preach at 4pm and the lecture at 8pm on “William Ellery Channing”.
May 28, 1882 Published in the City News column: “Mr. Chaney will give the last of his series of services in Concordia hall this evening at o’clock.Published in the Church Services column: Unitarian service – Concordia hall, 40 Marietta street, opposite DeGive’s opera house. Communion service 5 o’clock.
Jun 4, 1882 Published in the Church Services column: Unitarian service – Concordia hall, 40 Marietta street, opposite DeGive’s opera house. Communion service 5 o’clock.
Nov 19, 1882 Published in the Personal column: The Rev. G.L. Chaney, of Boston, who is well known and liked here, has returned for the winter and will resume his services to-day. Mr. Chaney has been and is doing much for education in Atlanta.Published in the Religious Services column: Unitarian service in Concordia Hall, 8 pm.
Nov 26, 1882 Published in the Religious Services column:  Rev. G.L. Chaney, Unitarian, will preach in US District court-room, post-office building, at 4pm.
Dec 10, 1882 Published in the Religious Services column:  (Rev. G.L. Chaney) in US District court-room, post-office building, at 4pm. Subject “Local Salvation.”
Dec 17, 1882 Published in the Church Services column:  (Rev. G.L. Chaney) in US District court-room, post-office building, at 4pm. Subject “The Preparation of the Heart.”
Dec 24, 1882 Published in the Church Services column:  (Rev. G.L. Chaney) in US District court-room, post-office building, at 4pm.
Jan 14, 1883 Published in the Church Services column:  (Rev. G.L. Chaney) in US District court-room, post-office building entrance on Forsyth street at 11 a.m.
Feb 2, 1883 Published in the Church Services column:  Unitarian services in United States district court room, post-office building, entrance on Forsyth street, at 11 a.m. Bible study at 12:15
Mar 3, 1883 Published in the Church Services column:  Rev. G.L. Chaney, in United States district court room, post-office building, entrance on Forsyth street, at 11 a.m. Bible study at 12:15, and at 7:30 p.m. Subject: “Uncommon Honesty.”
Mar 11, 1883 Published in the Church Services column:  Rev. G.L. Chaney, in United States district court room, post-office building, entrance on Forsyth street, at 11 a.m. on “Peacemakers” and at 7:30 p.m., on “The Nation; its corner Stone.”
Mar 18, 1883 Published in the Church Services column:  Rev. G.L. Chaney, in United States district court room, post-office building, entrance on Forsyth street, at 11 a.m. and at 7:30 p.m. Evening subject: “Education its physical basis.”
Apr 1, 1883 Published in the Personal column:  Mr. Chaney’s discourse this evening in United States court room will be on “Education in the Second Score of Man’s Years.”
Apr 15, 1883 Published in the Personal column:  Rev. G.L Chaney in United States district court room, post-office building, entrance on Forsyth street, at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
May 6, 1883 Published in the Church Services column:  Church of Our Father, Unitarian – Rev. Geo. Leonard Chaney, service in Professor Mean’s school house, corner Forsyth and Church streets, at 11 a.m. Subject – The Fatherless.
May 13, 1883 Published in the Church Services column:  Church of Our Father, Unitarian – Rev. Geo. Leonard Chaney, service in Professor Mean’s school house, corner Forsyth and Church streets, at 11 a.m. Bible study at 12:15.
May 27, 1883 Published in the Church Services column:  Church of Our Father, Unitarian – Rev. Geo. Leonard Chaney, service in Professor Mean’s school house, corner Forsyth and Church streets, at 11 a.m. Bible study at 12:15.
Jun 24, 1883 Published in the Church Services column:  Church of Our Father, Unitarian – Rev. Geo. Leonard Chaney, service in Professor Mean’s school house, corner Forsyth and Church streets. Bible study at 12:15. Subject of sermon – “Tearing down and building up.”
Jul 1, 1883 Published in the Church Services column:  Unitarian. Church of Our Father, Unitarian – Rev. Geo. Leonard Chaney. Service in Professor Mean’s school house, corner Forsyth and Church streets at 11 a.m. Bible study at 12:15.
Jul 8, 1883 Published in the Church Services column:  Unitarian. Church of Our Father, Unitarian – Rev. Geo. Leonard Chaney. Service in Professor Mean’s school house, corner Forsyth and Church streets at 11 a.m.Also in the Church Services column there is notice that a service will be held at the Spiritual Society to say farewell to the Rev. W.C. Bowman who is leaving for Cincinnati.
Jul 15, 1883 Published in the Church Services column:  Unitarian. Church of Our Father, Unitarian – Rev. Geo. Leonard Chaney. Service in Professor Mean’s school house room, corner Forsyth and Church streets at 11 a.m.
Sep 6, 1883 Published in the Through the City column:  The Unitarian church on Church street is nearing completion.
Oct 21, 1883 Published in the Church Services column:  Unitarian. Church of Our Father, Unitarian – Rev. Geo. Leonard Chaney having returned to the city, services will be held at Professor Mean’s school room, corner Forsyth and Church streets at 10:30 a.m.
Oct 28, 1883 Published in the Church Services column:  Unitarian. Church of Our Father, Unitarian – Rev. Geo. Leonard Chaney. Services at 11 a.m., in Professor Mean’s school room, corner Forsyth and Church.
Nov 4, 1883 Published in the Church Services column:  Unitarian. Church of Our Father, Unitarian – Rev. Geo. Leonard Chaney. Services at 11 a.m., in Professor Mean’s school room, corner Forsyth and Church.
Nov 11, 1883 Published in the Church Services column:  Unitarian. Church of Our Father, Unitarian – Rev. Geo. Leonard Chaney. Services at 11 a.m., in Professor Mean’s school room, corner Forsyth and Church streets. Subject: “Martin Luther.”
Dec 2, 1883 Published in the Church Services column:  Unitarian. Church of Our Father, Unitarian – Rev. Geo. Leonard Chaney. Services at 11 a.m., in Professor Mean’s school room, corner Forsyth and Church streets.
Dec 9,1883 Published in the Church Services column:  Unitarian. Church of Our Father, Unitarian – Rev. Geo. Leonard Chaney. Services at 11 a.m., in Professor Mean’s school room, corner Forsyth and Church streets.
Dec 15, 1883 Description of soon to be constructed Church of Our Father. (WIP)
Apr 24, 1884 Dedication of Church of Our Father

 

 

 

 

Introduction of Rev. Chaney to Atlanta

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The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) - Sun, Feb 26, 1882 - Page 7

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Sun, Feb 26, 1882 – Page 7

George Leonard Chaney, a Unitarian clergyman of Boston,Mass.is visiting Atlanta at this time, in the interest of moral and religious reconstruction throughout the union. In the pursuit of his profession in Boston for fifteen years he has been actively interested in the establishment of school for poor white children in Richmond, Va and Wilmington, N.C. and for freedmen in Charleston,S.C. and Hampton, Va. He has labored for the cause of industrial education with Mr. Edward Altkinson, of Boston, and General Eaton, the commissioner of education in Washington, and these gentlemen bespeak for him the furtherance of our people. While here he will preach in the senate chamber on Sunday, giving the remainder of the week to inspecting ours schools and industries.

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Sun, Feb 26, 1882 – Page 7

Copyright © 2013 Newspapers.com. All Rights Reserved.

Hand Education - Should the Hand as Well as the Brain be Educated

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HAND EDUCATION AN INTERESTING DISSERTATION  ON INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS.

Should the Hand as Well as the Brain be Educated?

Mr. George. Chaney Gives His Experience

and Observation on the Subject Industrial Schools in Boston.

Almost any day there can be seen walking up Peachtree street a gentleman of slender build, with a scholar’s stoop in his shoulder, and a purely Intellectual face full of earnestness. Pleasant in manner, affable and courteous to the humblest person he meets and evidently a man of the best breeding and culture, he attracts general attention.

Perhaps no man, of all the useful men that were drawn south by the cotton exposition and the late boom in southern affairs, has came south upon a mission that promises more for the south or more  fully equipped for the carrying out of his purpose. This is Mr. George Leonard Chaney, a, Unitarian minister, of Boston, the president of the Industrial Education league, and a representative of the best sentiment and culture of Boston. Mr. Chaney is interested in investigating the problem of education in the south and in impressing our educators with the fact that to affect the best results they must combine the practical with the theoretic the useful with the classical, and the industrial with the ornamental. He has worked in a quiet way and has not sought public attention but he has sowed good seed, and, attracted by the editorials in THE CONSTITUTION on the subject of practical education was induced to give to a representative of this paper a short history of practical education in Boston, which we print in substance below. Said Mr. Chaney:

“Some years ago a number of gentlemen in Boston who were interested in the training of the boys of Boston came to the conclusion that reason that there were so many vagrants and criminals was because boys were educated without having a knowledge of any trade by which they could make at living. We saw that the professions were being over  crowded and that they offered little inducement that there were more clerks than were needed, and that girls were being called in rapidly to take the places of even those men who had places as clerks.  At the same time we knew that there was an active and growing demand for practical workmen, and that a man who was educated as a carpenter, an engineer, a machinist or a plumber could always command high wages and plenty of work. We therefore set about organizing a movement in favor of hand education. We wanted to engraft on our schools a department for educating a boy’s hand just as they were educating his brain, and we determined to do it.”

“How did you go at it?”

“It was very hard to do. We went before the school board and urged them to add to the public schools two industrial schools. That was our first step. They declined to do it. Listening to the arguments that I made and acknowledging that they were sound, they held, however, that the appropriations for schools was already exhausted and that they could do no more. They told us privately, however, that if we would organize an industrial school and demonstrate its efficiently that they might then give it a trial. Sewing was already taught in an indifferent way in the girls’ schools. We began by securing scientific instruction in these schools, in cutting, mending and sewing.  The Winthrop school with over 1,100 girls added a department of sewing, cutting and fitting, and now every girl who graduates from that school is capable of making with her own hands in the best style and without assistance every garment that will be needed in her family when she shall have married. It was discovered to our surprise and gratification that the girls who took the sewing, cutting and fitting course had just as high marks in eke other departments as the girls who did not take it, thus showing that we had educated their hands without any sacrifice of their mental education. The experiment commended itself so thoroughly that we considered that settled. We then turned our attention to boy’s.”

“How did you proceed with them?”

“Our first question was to get some tool or instrument that would be of as general use to boys as the needle is to girls. After much investigation we decided that it was important for all boys to be taught the rudiments at least of carpentering. We felt that this would give steadiness to the hands.  Accuracy and discipline and would send him from school with the basis at least of a useful trade in which he could always get employment. The school board, however, declined to listen to us for want of funds, and we felt that we must first make the experiment ourselves. We therefore secured a house and picked up about thirty little street Arabs—boys that we selected at random out of the gutter. We provided each one with knives and tools and secured a competent teacher. Considerable fun was made of the experiment, and it was called the whittling school. That was precisely what it was, and we accepted the term saying that it was something at least to teach boys how to whittle properly. To the plane, auger, adz and saw we added the gig saw for making scroll work and ornaments. We taught the boys to do joining work as neatly as a cabinet maker, and everything that would be needed in framing and building a house. They were delighted with their work and went into it with enthusiasm. We soon gave an exhibition to show their proficiency, and everybody was pleased. The boys said they had done six times as much at home. A department of this sort was added to the Dwight   school this last winter, which has 1,100 boys and is one of the most popular and successful departments in the Boston educational system. It will be found here that the boys who educate their hands stand just as high in their classes as those who do not, so that it is a clear gain.”

“Has practical education spread in Boston?”

“It is spreading everywhere. Besides these departments that I have given you the subject of practical education has been so much discussed that special schools are being established for educating boys. For instance, in New York they have a school for plumbers now what can be more important than that. A plumber has more to do, perhaps, with the health of the people in a city than almost any other man. If the traps, sewer pipes and closets of a house are arranged on scientific principles by an intelligent and educated expert there is little danger of malaria, but if the house is fitted up by an uneducated plumber, even though he may understand the technique of his work the greatest damage may result. I have no doubt that every graduate of the school of plumbers can secure instant and permanent work at much better wages than a clerk will get or than most young men earn In the professions.  lf he is fairly educated a plumber will soon find it easy to build up a business of his own that will make him independent. We have, besides such hand training as we have been describing the institute of technology and other practical schools. Boston is on the right line.”

“It is just what we need at the south.”

“Yes, sir, it is needed very much at the south. In dealing with the colored race It is most important that they should be taught useful trades. The professions are not as generally open to them as they are to the whites. There is less demand for colored lawyers, colored teachers, colored salesmen, and colored physicians, than for whites. It is therefore very important that when they graduate they should have a trade that would render them independent of the professions. I have had frequent consultation with the gentlemen in charge of the colored colleges here and find them enthusiastic on the subject They believe that it is their duty to maintain the system of general education to which they are already committed, but they desire to add to it the teaching of a special trade. Professor Ware, of the Atlanta University, is determined to raise the money this summer and add a department of practical education for both sexes in his university next session. I am satisfied that I can raise the money for this purpose in Boston, certainly enough to equip the university with tools and the outfit necessary. At the Clarke University I find that they have our book, which we prepared as a textbook for hand training, illustrated with diagrams, and that they use it as a textbook there. The students of that college have already built one house themselves and are now at work on another. They will graduate expert carpenters. I understand also that the girls are taught to cook and sew.”

“What about the white schools”

“I don’t know so much about them, but they must yield to the new system inevitably. There is too much need of educated, practical workers in the south to leave parents satisfied to have their sons and daughters trained as mere scholars any longer. If any teacher were to start a department of sewing, cooking and housekeeping for girls in addition to general education, I apprehend that she would be overwhelmed with applications from parents. I believe there are hundreds of men who would prefer to send their sons to a school where they would be taught the rudiments of a trade. We had difficulty at first in Boston. Every man seemed to want his son educated to a profession. Even mechanics themselves looked to some apparently higher pursuit for their sons. But now the feeling has changed and our very richest men are the most ardent patrons of hand education. We have rich people who take their sons to the seaside for the summer and buy complete carpenter’s outfits out of their private purses so that their sons will not lose a single month in what they consider the most important part of their education. It will come of itself after a while. I am only anxious to see it come at once, the sooner the better.”

“What is the effect of this practical education on young men and women?”

“We have hardly tried it long enough to say. But you can understand that it must make them much more self-reliant, independent and self-respecting to know that they can with their own hands work out a living for themselves and those dependent on them. There was a very striking thing that seems to illustrate the whole philosophy of this question of practical education that I will repeat. A party of us were walking through a prison in which the convicts were taught the useful trades. We passed one fellow who was very expert at his bench. We asked him, ‘Were you as good a workman before you came to prison?’ “No, sir,” he replied, “If I had been I would have never been here.” It seems to me that the advocates of hand education might very well rest their case on the result of this little incident.”

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Fri, Jun 2, 1882 – Page 5

Copyright 2013 Newspapers.com. All Rights Reserved.

 

Church of Our Father Deaths 1887 to 1906

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Archivist Note: Given the poor maintenance of the church membership listing, other listing such as marriages, deaths and baptisms, it is recommended that such lists should be viewed only as a reference guide and not an accurate account of events at the church.  For more information on deaths in the church, see the church membership list.  The Archivist has annotated that document when deaths were noted in our church records.

Date Names Comment
Feb 18, 1887 Henry Sprous Horsey Adult
Jul 1887 Gilman Horsey Adult
Jan 24, 1898 Thomas M. Horsey Adult
Jan 1887 Thomas Swift Cater Child
Aug 1887 William C. Morrill Adult
Jul 1890 J. Russell Hodge Child
May 16, 1894 John Young Dixon Adult
Dec 30, 1894 Theodore Schumann Adult
Sep 8 1900 Mary Dixon Adult
Feb 9, 1906 Theodore D. Irish Adult
Jun 18, 1906 Fridda Schrown 27 months

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 25 Folder: 01 Pages: 86
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Church of Our Father - Marriages 1884 - 1895

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Archivist Note: Given the poor maintenance of the church membership listing, other listing such as marriages, deaths and baptisms, it is recommended that such lists should be viewed only as a reference guide and not an accurate account of events at the church.

Date Name Name
Dec 3, 1884 Joseph M. Klingelsmith Margaret J. Center
May 9, 1885 Gorham Blake Mrs. Mary A. Gordon
Dec 2, 1885 Will Haight Ida Jenny Spencer Boyd
Jan 2, 1887 Merrill Frost Sarah Bishop
Dec 17, 1887 William A. Carter Katherine Chase
Jun 13, 1889 Alonzo J. Graves Anna M. Price
Nov 21, 1889 Donald Dingwall Isabella McLennan
Jan 22, 1890 Frank Edward Clarksen Fanny Eliza Atkinson
Feb 4, 1892 George H. Crafts Susan K. Gibbes
Dec 6, 1892 Theodore Weld Birney Alice Josephine White
Mar 6, 1893 Ragnvald B. Rordaue Waudal Polaczek
May 12, 1895 John B. Frost Della Cooper
Jul 18, 1895 Rev. Wm. R. Cole Leonore Schumann

 

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 25 Folder: 01 Pages: 66
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 of Mar 27, 1883 (Establish Church)

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Church Meetings and Doings

Tuesday, March 27, 1883

A meeting was called in room No. 7 Kimball House, at 4 o’clock pm.

Present – W.H. Snowden, J.R. Hodge, J.A. Burns, Frank Lederle, G.L. Norrman, Mrs. W.C. Morrill, Miss Coolidge, Mrs. J Sever, Mrs. J.R. Hodge, Mrs. W.H. Snowden, Mrs. G.L. Chaney.

The meeting was organized by the choice of Mr. J.A. Burns, Chairman, and Mr. Frank Lederle, Secretary.

Mr. Chaney asked the Divine blessing.  He then explained that the object of the meeting.  He said that the time had come for giving organized form to the interest we felt on the establishment of a new church in Atlanta.  At an informal conference of gentlemen previously held, a committee had been appointed to prepare a form of covenant for the consideration of those who should meet to form a church.  He then read a Covenant and Constitution and each article was separately considered and passed upon.  It was finally adopted.

Mr. Burns stated that there was a piece of property now in the market, which would be very eligible for a church building.  It was located on the corner of Forsyth and church streets.  It had a building on it which rented for $50.00 per month. There would be room on Church St. to erect a chapel without disturbing the house for the present.

After due consideration it was voted to appoint a committee of three, consisting of Messrs. Burns, Snowden and Norrman to negotiate for the purchase of the property.  Mr. Chaney was requested to cooperate with this committee.

The same committee was requested to secure a suitable place for holding our Sunday services as we had already had the use of the United States District Court room longer then we or its guardian had intended.

All present and residing in Atlanta signed the Covenant and Constitution thus uniting with the Church and securing its formation.

The meeting then adjourned to meet at the call of the Building Committee.

Frank Lederle,  Secy pro tem

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 25   Folder: 02   Book: 01   Pages 106 – 107
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Archivist Note: Although these notes are the first meeting minutes of the new church, they appear on pages 106 – 107 of the meeting minute book.  The earlier pages in the meeting book contain entries for the church covenant, member signatures, baptisms, marriages and deaths.

Church of our Father - Covenant and Constitution

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Covenant and Constitution of the Church of Our Father in Atlanta, Georgia

Covenant

We whose names are written below, hereby unite to form the Church of Our Father in Atlanta, Georgia.

We agree to maintain the worship of God, to cultivate in ourselves and in one another virtuous affections and habits, and to endeavor to pass our lives in harmony with the Spirit and Life of Jesus Christ.

To secure these ends, we have formed and adopted the following Constitution which shall be the rule of our Association.

Constitution

Article I – Name

The name of this Church shall be the Church of Our Father

Article II – Membership

All persons who, after making proper application, shall sign his Covenant and Constitution, thereby agreeing with the purposes and consenting to the rules of this church shall be considered members thereof.

Article III – Officers

Section I.

The officers of the church shall be a Chairman, who shall be chosen at each meeting; a clerk and a Treasurer, who shall be chosen annually, and a Standing Committee of not less than five or more then eleven persons, who shall be elected so that one go out each year.

Section II.

All elections except that of Chairman shall be by ballot, by a majority vote, and all officers shall hold over until their successor are duly elected and qualified.

Section III.

The Standing Committee together with the Clerk and Treasurer shall constitute a Board of Trustees.  It shall be their duty to secure their legal incorporation; to hold the property of the church; to superintend the raising of the minister’s salary; to provide for the incidental expenses to arrange other pecuniary affairs of the church and make to it an annual report of their doings.  These trustees shall be subject always to a directing vote of the church and they shall have no power to sell or encumber its property, without a specific vote of those entitled to vote on these matters as named in Article IV.

Section IV.

The Clerk shall keep a record of the proceedings of the church and shall at each meeting read the record of the preceding meeting.

Section V.

The Treasurer shall receive all money belonging to the church and pay out the same upon order of the Trustees, and shall make an annual report to the church of his receipts and disbursements.

Articles IV – Business

All questions involving the disposal or encumbering of its property shall be exclusively in the hands of the members of the church who participate in the ownership of such property.  All other questions coming properly before the church shall be decided by a majority of the members present at any meeting regularly called.

 Article V – Meetings

Section I.

The annual meeting of the church shall take place on the first Monday in November.  Other meetings may be called as in the judgment of the Pastor and Standing Committee [as] they are needed, or whenever an application for such meeting shall be made by twelve members of the church.  Due notice of these meetings shall be sent to all members.

Section II.

Seven members of the church shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Article VI – Services

The regular services of worship shall be held on each Sunday of the year.  Services at other times shall be held at the discretion of the Pastor.

Section I.

The Constitution may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting at any meeting called according to the provisions of Article V; the proposed alterations having been stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section II.

By-laws to carry out the provisions of this Constitution may be enacted at any business meeting.

By-Laws

At each annual meeting, an advisory committee of two members, one lady and one gentleman, shall be elected, who with the pastor, an ex office, third member of this committee shall receive applications for membership of the church and pass upon the fitness of the applicant. All decisions by the advisory committee shall be unanimous.

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 25   Folder: 01   Book: 01   Pages: 1- 5
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Church of Our Father Signature Book 1883 to 1912

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Names of Members

Archivist Note:  It appears that maintenance of the membership list was lacking over the years. This listing should be used only as a reference and not a definitive research tool in determining membership.  Whenever entries were found in meeting minutes regarding individuals joining the church or as frequently stated “receiving the right hand of fellowship,” entries were made in this document.  A notation indicating that the Archivist inserted the entry is noted in the Comments column.

A review of Annual Meeting minutes where lists of subscribers to the church are detailed is an additional source of information on actual church membership.

Sign Date Name Comments
George Leonard Chaney Present at 27-Mar-1883 meeting; First pastor
W.H. Snowden Present at 27-Mar-1883 meeting (Macon)
G.L. Norrman Present at 27-Mar-1883 meeting
Emeline E. Coolidge (a.k.a. Miss Coolidge) Present at 27-Mar-1883 meeting
Harriet E??? Hodge (a.k.a. Mrs. J.R. Hodge) Present at 27-Mar-1883 meeting
J. Russell Hodge Present at 27-Mar-1883 meeting
Leptima L Snowden (a.k.a. Mrs. W.H. Snowden) Present at 27-Mar-1883 meeting (Macon)
J.M. Klingelsmith
Frank Lederle Present at 27-Mar-1883 meeting
Anna M Lederle (a.k.a. Mrs. F. Lederle)
Caroline W. Center
Sarah E. Center
Margaret J Center
Caroline I. Chaney (a.k.a. Mrs. G.L. Chaney Present at 27-Mar-1883 meeting; pastor’s wife;
Ellen A. Morrill (a.k.a. Mrs. W.C. Morrill) Present at 27-Mar-1883 meeting
Walter E. Fisher
Kate S. Fisher
J.A. Burns Present at 23-Mar-1883 meeting
S.C. Morley Archivist: Name appears with various spellings in meeting minutes: Morely, Morley.  Standardized on Morley based on printed stationary of the church in 1905. Archivist: Potential member of Universalist church with spelling of Morely
J.E. Harding
Annie F. Parm???? (Mrs. Taylor) Jackson, SC
Lizzio C. Winslow
T.N. Winslow
Carrie ??? Pratt
L.S. Fisher
Mary D Gude
A.V. Gude
John Y Dixon Archivist: Died May 1894.
F. M. Van Pelt Archivist: Francis Marion
Amanda M. Van Pelt
Minnie Anna Van Pelt
Thms. Barton
Edwine Schumann
Rebecca D. Lowe
Fannie C. Swift Archivist: Founder Atlanta Equal Suffrage Association, Among first women voted on Board of Trustees
W.E. Gates Milton, FL
Bessie Minton Wright
Otto D. Colborn
Gertrude R. Colborn
Sarah A. Kendall
J. B. Kendall
Edith Kendall
Mary J. Burns
E.P. Burns
Alice J. White
Hai???en?  Thompkins
Annie S. Burna??
Cora Clarke Marietta
Robert Harbison
Thomas H. Kennedy Archivist: Died
Henry R. S. Dick
Caroline Dongal Michener
George H. Crafts Macon.  Archivist: action needed validate middle initial in original document
Minnie E. Owen Archivist: Among first women voted on Board of Trustees, see Swift
Ida M. Harding
Emma C. Harding
Wade P. Harding
Mary Dellingham 98 Spring St
Eugene C. Gardner
Mrs. W.C. Robertson
Mrs. H.W. Walker
Chas H. Behre
Josephine L Burns
 Nov 12, 1890 Henry M. Currier Archivist: Later joined Universalist church
 Nov 12, 1890 Ellen E. Currier Archivist: Later joined Universalist church
 Nov 12, 1890 Adeline W Currier Archivist: Later joined Universalist church
 Jul 20, 1891 Isabel Roach
 Nov 2, 1891 Will Haight
 ???, 2, 1891 William Roswell Cole  Second minister
 Jan 18, 1892 Leon ?assader
 Jan 18, 1892 Edw. W. Kendall
 Jan 18, 1892 Annie A. Kendall
 Jun 9, 1892 ??
 Nov 7, 1892 F.W. Stair
 Nov 22, 1892 Emilie L. Behre
 Dec 11, 1892 Mary Dixon
 Dec 11, 1892 H.D. McCutcheon Archivist: Later joined Universalist church
 Jul 17, 1893 Helene L.  Schumann
 Nov 1, 1893 Howard Daniels  Archivist: Died 1907
 Nov 5, 1893 Mrs. Howard Daniels  Archivist: Minutes frequently refer to Mrs. Daniels as Mrs. Alice Daniels or Mrs. Daniel (no “s”).
 Nov 23, 1893 ?.S. Farrell
 Nov 24, 1893 Sarah Freeman Clarke
 Nov 24, 1893 Samuel C. Clarke
 Mar 4, 1894 E.A. Davidson Archivist: action needed “validate month” in original document
 Mar 4, 1894 Walter D. Menken
 Mar 4, 1894 Rowland Webster
 Mar 4, 1894 Theo. Schumann Archivist: Died Jan 1895
 Mar 4, 1894 Miss E.S. Fisher
 Mar 5, 1894 J.C. Peck Archivist: Died Mar 1908
 Mar 5, 1894 Julius R. Watts
 Jan 27, 1895 Leone Robinson
 Jan 27, 1895 Anna S. Werner
 Jan 6, 1896 Alice C. Dixon
 Jan 6, 1896 L. Stanton Bigham
 Mar 15, 196 S. Hall (??)
 Jun 21, 1896 Georgia Darwin Coats
Jun 21, 1896 Hattie E. Martin
 Jul 19, 1896 Mrs. J.G. St. Amand Archivist: 234 Peachtree Street
 Nov 9, 1896 Mrs. W.G. Abel
 Feb 2, 1897 Mrs. S.J. Bigham
 Nov 14, 1897 C.C. Chillingworth
 Nov 14, 1897 Clare Bangs
 Nov 14, 1897 Mrs. Clarr?? Bangs
 Apr 15, 1897 J.G. St. Amand Archivist: 234 Peachtree Street
 Apr 15, 1897 Jon ? Frost
 Apr 15, 1897 Lillian Garrison
 Oct 30, 1897 Mrs. Geo. ? Johnson
 Sep 23, 1900 Clarence Adrian Langston Minister
 Sep 23, 1900 Elinor S. Langston Minister’s wife
 Sep 23, 1900 Gertrude C. Lederle Archivist: daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lederle
 Sep 23, 1900 Edwine Marie Behre
 Sep 23, 1900 Margaret Lederle Archivist: daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lederle
 Sep 23, 1900 ??? Shrepstien ??
 Sep 23, 1900 Alice N. Freeman
 Sep 23, 1900 Ellinor H. Behre
 Sep 23, 1900 Jno. L. Moore
 Sep 23, 1900 Laura H. Moore
 Sep 23, 1900 Earle H. Moore
 Sep 23, 1900 Harold Moore
 Sep 23, 1900 Jermie D. Chillingworth
 Sep 23, 1900 Mary Francis Longley
 Sep 23, 1900 B.T. Longley
 Sep 23, 1900 John B. Young
  Sep 23, 1900 A. Otto Abel Archivist: Died 1900
  Sep 23, 1900 Minnie Stella Abel
  Sep 23, 1900 Lloyd C. Daniels
  Sep 23, 1900 Geraldine H. Howe
  Sep 30, 1900 Metta V. Foster
 Sep 30, 1900 Mrs. Alice R. Howe
 Nov 25, 1900 A.T. Walker
 Dec 2, 1900 Mrs. Alfredo Barili
 Dec 2, 1900 Viola Barili
 Dec 16, 1900 Louise Barili
 Mar 9, 1902 Hamilton Douglas Archivist: 2525 Peachtree Road / standardized spelling as Douglas (with on ‘s’)
 Mar 9, 1902 Corinne M. Douglas Archivist: 2525 Peachtree Road / standardized spelling as Douglas (with on ‘s’)
 Mar 9, 1902 Linda R. Meysenburg Archivist: standardized spelling with “burg”
 Mar 9, 1902 Fred Meysenburg Archivist: standardized spelling with “burg”
 Mar 16, 1902 Thos. W. Whitehead
 Apr 20, 1902 Mrs. W. P. Harding
 Apr 20, 1902 Mary S. Russell
 Apr 20, 1902 ???
 Nov 9, 1902 Mrs. Rose Yeiser Calvin
 Nov 9, 1902 Mrs. Mabel Herford
  Nov 9, 1902 Laurie B. Additon
 1903 Mrs. Ellie Irish
 1903 W.J. Govan
 1903 Kate E. Govan
 1903 H. Leslie Rediout  ??
 1903 Gertrude Smith Jackson
 1903 W.A. Jackson, Jr.
 1903 Annie W. Francis
 1903 W.M. Francis
 1903 Mrs. Fannie S. Bas
 Nov 15, 1903 Mrs. Cora Peck Williams
 1904 Mr. Additon Flowery Branch
 1905  (Archivist: no entries for this year)
 Jan 14, 1906 Walter T. Chaney Archivist:  At meeting on Jan 14, 1906 Walter Chaney of Rome, Ga. received the”right hand of fellowship” but no signature is found in the membership book.  Added this entry to reflect known information on membership.
Feb 4, 1906 Mr. Ralph Wells Archivist: At a meeting on Feb 4, 1906, Wells “received the right hand of fellowship” but no signature is found in the membership book. Added this entry to reflect known information on membership.
Feb 4, 1906 Miss Grace Archer Archivist: At a meeting on Feb 4, 1906, Archer “received the right hand of fellowship” but no signature is found in the membership book. Added this entry to reflect known information on membership.
Feb 4, 1906 Mrs. Brownell Archivist: At a meeting on Feb 4, 1906, Brownell “received the right hand of fellowship” but no signature is found in the membership book. Added this entry to reflect known information on membership.
Feb 4, 1906 Mrs. A Karstrand Archivist: At a meeting on Feb 4, 1906, Karstrand “received the right hand of fellowship” but no signature is found in the membership book. Added this entry to reflect known information on membership.
 Mar 31, 1906 Ruth B. Fowle Archivist: See meeting of Apr 1, 1906.
 Mar 31, 1906 Geo. E. Fowle Archivist: See meeting of Apr 1, 1906
 Apr 1, 1906 Mr. Clifton Perkins Archivist: At a meeting on Apr 1, 1906, Perkins “received the right hand of fellowship” but no signature is found in the membership book. Added this entry to reflect known information on membership.
 Apr 1, 1906 Mr. Fred E. Spencer Archivist: At a meeting on Apr 1, 1906, Spencer “received the right hand of fellowship” but no signature is found in the membership book. Added this entry to reflect known information on membership.
 Apr 1, 1906 Mr. Frank Hartshorne Archivist: At a meeting on Apr 1, 1906, Hartshorne “received the right hand of fellowship” but no signature is found in the membership book. Added this entry to reflect known information on membership. Died in 1907.
 Apr 1, 1906 Miss Edna Behre Archivist: At a meeting on Apr 1, 1906, Behre “received the right hand of fellowship” but no signature is found in the membership book. Added this entry to reflect known information on membership.
 Jun 24, 1906 Alice Ormond London, England.  Archivist: See meeting of Jun 24, 1906
 Jun 24, 1906 Marie Lederle Tampa, Fl. Archivist: See meeting of Jun 24, 1906
Jun 24, 1906 Geo. J. Bush  Archivist: At a meeting on Jun 24, 1906, Bush “received the right hand of fellowship” but no signature is found in the membership book. Added this entry to reflect known information on membership.
Jun 24, 1906 Mr. Frank E. Rodgers Archivist: At a meeting on Jun 24, 1906, Rodgers “received the right hand of fellowship” but no signature is found in the membership book. Added this entry to reflect known information on membership.
 Jun 24, 1906 Angie Harding Archivist: See meeting of Jun 24, 1906
 Jun 1906 D.A. Perkins
 Dec 1, 1907 J.H. Bayer Rome, Ga
 Dec 1, 1907 Henry E. Marshall
 Dec 1, 1907 Mrs. C. J. Gardner
 Dec 1, 1907 Miss. L.E. Estill
 Dec 1, 1907 Miss E. Estill
 Jan 19, 1908 Miss E.L. Robinson Archivist: See meeting of Jan 19, 1908
 Mar 29, 1908 Jno. W. Rice Archivist: See meeting of Mar 29, 1908
 Mar 29, 1908 Mrs. Ethel M. Rice Archivist: See meeting of Mar 29, 1908
 Mar 29, 1908 Isaac R. Hayes Archivist: See meeting of Mar 29, 1908
 Mar 29, 1908 Fred Schwoon Joined previously now signing book
 Mar 29, 1908 RA. Taaffe Joined previously now signing book. Archivist: see meeting of Jan 7, 1907
 May 10, 1908 Mrs. C. W. Stanton Stone Mountain
 Sep 13, 1908 John Osman
 Oct 4, 1908 Mrs. John W. Rowlett  Archivist: wife of minister
 Oct 4, 1908 Fowler Rowlett
 Oct 4, 1908 Lewis Rowlett
 Oct 11, 1908 W.T. Hicks
 Oct 11, 1908 Ella L. Wells
 Nov 22, 1908 Julius William Pratt Ga. Tech
 Jan 3, 1909 R.N. Kimball College Park
 Jan 3, 1909 Mrs. Fred Schwoon
 Apr 11, 1909 J.C. Brewer 79 Trinity Ave
 Apr 11, 1909 Amy P. Bassford 5 Lucile Ave
 Apr 11, 1909 E.A. Osman 55 Luckie Street
 May 2, 1909 Lady Grace Rowlett Dead
 May 16, 1909 B.M. Zettler Dead
 Jun 13, 1909 Marguerite Osman
 Jul 25, 1909 Larry ?????
 Dec 1909 Georgia M. Hayes
 Mar 1910 John Harris 257 Peachtree Dr.
 Jul 10, 1910 Paul Barksdale Park moved west
 Jul 10, 1910 A.H. Watson
 Mar 5, 1911 Mrs. Henry ??dship
 Mar 5, 1911 Ruth Kincaid Moore moved to Calif
 Mar 5, 1911 H?? Douglas
 Mar 5, 1911 Dorothy Douglas Mrs. J. Lewis
 Apr 9, 1911 Mrs. W.A. Edwards
 Apr 9, 1911 W.A. Edwards
 Sep 24, 1911 Mary Frances Wetherax 140 Luckie St
 Sep 24, 1911 L.R. Wetherwax
 Sep 24, 1911 Van Milhite
 Sep 24, 1911 Joseph D. Greene 128 North Ave./ 176 Westminster Dr
 Dec 10, 1911 Agnes Raoul Glenn 301 Myrtle St
 Dec 12, 1911 Howard S. Cole 85 Whitehall
Mar 22, 1912  ?? Michael Conkling Pacific Coast
 Jan 14, 1912 J. Wade Conkling Minister (Dead)
 Jan 12, 1914 Mrs. Ada H. Campbell
 Jun 8, 1914 Rose Lowe

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 25 Folder: 01 Book: 01 Pages: 007 – 019
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Church of Our Father - Baptisms Jun 1883 - 1906

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Archivist Note: Given the poor maintenance of the church membership listing, other listing such as marriages, deaths and baptisms, it is recommended that such lists should be viewed only as a reference guide and not an accurate account of events at the church.

Baptism records for the Church of Our Father (in 1904 Unitarian Church of Atlanta) from 1883 to 1906.

Date Name of Person Baptized Birthday Parents
Jun 13, 1883 Stephen Logon Snowden Aug 10, 1882 William H and Septime L. Snowden
Dec 25, 1883 Willard Channing Grigsby Feb 28, 1872 Willis Harrison and Amelia E. Grigsby
Dec 25, 1883 May Serena Grigsby Jan 6, 1870 Willis Harrison and Amelia E. Grigsby
Dec 25, 1883 Ida Virginia Grigsby Oct 19, 1870 Willis Harrison and Amelia E. Grigsby
Dec 25, 1883 Septum Logan Snowden Jan 6, 1870 William H and Septime L. Snowden
Dec 25, 1883 Seth Evans Hodge J. Russell and Harriet Evans Hodge
Dec 25, 1883 Charlotte Gertrude Lederle Frank and Anna M. Lederle
Apr 6, 1885 Almira Van Pelt Mar 26, 1884 Francis Marion & Amanda M Van Pelt
Apr 6, 1885 Ada Madge Van Pelt Mar 28, 1881 Francis Marion & Amanda M Van Pelt
Apr 6, 1885 Francis Marian Van Pelt Mar 28, 1876 Francis Marion & Amanda M Van Pelt
Apr 6, 1885 Minnie Anna Van Pelt May 15, 1890 Francis Marion & Amanda M Van Pelt
Jun 13, 1886 Ruth Kirke Dec 26, 1815 Thomas and Ruth Elizabeth Kirke
Jun 13, 1886 Mary Kirke Mar 14, 1879 Thomas and Ruth Elizabeth Kirke
 Jun 1886 Ellen A. Morrill Adult
 Jun 1886 Emetine Coolidge Adult
 July 3, 1887 Haivelene Tompkins Adult
 Dec 30, 1887 Darrell Edith Hardey Apr 1, 1882 Henry Sprous and Llewellyn
 Dec 30, 1887 Henry Boykin Hardey Oct 10, 1885 Henry Sprous and Llewellyn
 Jun 23, 1889 Thomas Kirke Dec 26, 1887 Thomas and Ruth Elizabeth
 Jun 23, 1889 Theodora Chase Winslow May 18, 1888 T.N. and Lizzie C.
 Jun 23, 1889 Helen Haight Will and Ida
 Nov 5, 1890 Viola Barili  Apr 30, 1882 Alfredo and Emily
 Nov 5, 1890 Alfredo Barili  Jul 31, 1889  Alfredo and Emily
 Jul 6, 1890 Ida M. Harding  Mar 6, 1870 Joseph E. and M. J. Harding
 Jul 6, 1890  Emma C. Harding  Apr 3, 1868  Joseph E. and M. J. Harding
 Jul 6, 1890 Wade P. Harding  Feb 15, 1874 Joseph E. and M. J. Harding
 Apr 17, 1892 Edward Nicholas Winslow  Dec 26, 1890 T.N. and Lizzie C. Winslow
 Jul 16, 1893 Arthur Gibbs Crafts  Nov 11, 1890  Geo. H. and Susan K. Crafts
 Jul 16, 1893 George William Winslow  Feb 27, 1893 Theo. N. and Lizzie C. Winslow
 Dec 1, 1895 George William Crafts Sep 9, 1895 Geo. H. and Susan K. Crafts
 1897 Wade Pitts Harding, Jr Wade and Kate Harding
 Nov 15, 1900 Curtis Eugene Chillingworth Charles C. and Jennie Chillingworth
 Nov 15, 1900 Margarite Chillingworth Charles C. and Jennie Chillingworth
 May 6, 1906 Janice Longley B.J. and Mary Longley
 May 6, 1906 Winsome Genevieve Jackson W.A. and Gertrude Jackson

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 25 Folder: 01 Pages: 34 – 39
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 of Apr 17, 1883 (Building Committee Report)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Tuesday April 17, 1883
Met in room 106, Kimball House
Present – Messrs. Norrman, Burns, Hodge, Lederle, Mrs. and Miss Center, Miss Coolidge, Mr. and Mrs. Chaney.

Mr. Chaney, Moderator.
Mr. Lederle, Secy.

Prayer was offered by Mr. Chaney.

The report of the last meeting being read and accepted, a report of the Business Committee was made.

Mr. Burns reported that they had secured the property selected at the last meeting.  This had been done by the American Unitarian Association furnishing the money required for that purpose and receiving from us 5% interest for this investment.  The income from the rental of the house would be more than enough to pay the interest; meantime, we could put up our Chapel on the rear of the lot without loss of any part of the income as Prof. Mean’s desired to retain the building for the coming year.

Mr. Chaney reported that no suitable hall could found for holding a Sunday service, but we could have the use of Prof. Mean’s school room, if we desired it.

It was felt by all that this would be our best place of meeting til our Chapel was built and it was so voted.

It was also voted, on motion of Miss Coolidge, that our thanks be extended to Col. Buck and Mr. Pledger for their kindness in the permitting us to hold our service so long in the United States Court room, Miss Coolidge, Mr. Burns and Mr. Chaney were appointed a Committee to carry our thanks.

The same Committee was requested to act as a nominating committee and present a list of names for the church officers to be acted upon at the next meeting.

By unanimous consent all the members of the church were appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions in aid of the new Chapel.

The meeting then adjourned for one week.

Frank Lederle

Secy, pro tem

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02   Book: 01   Pages: 108 – 109
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 of Apr 24, 1883 (First Officers Elected)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

April 24, 1883
Met in Room 136, Kimball House
Present: Messrs. Burns, Snowden, Norrman, Klingelsmith and Chaney; and Miss Cooledge, Mrs. Snowden and Mrs. Chaney.
Mr. Chaney was chosen Moderator and Mr. Klingelsmith, Secty pro tem.

The meeting was opened with prayer and the report of the last meeting was read and accepted.

The Committee on Nomination reported the following list of officers and they were chosen by ballot.

Standing Committee: Messrs. Snowden, Fisher, Burns, Lederle and Norrman.
Treasurer: Mr. Hodge
Secretary: Mr. Klingelsmith

The Committee on Subscription reported subscriptions to the amount of $1,538.00.

Mrs. Chaney moved that the Standing Committee be empowered to act as Building and Repair Committee and to make such repairs as necessary on church property.

Adopted.

Adjourned.

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secty

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26 Folder: 02  Book: 01   Pages: 110
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 of May 11, 1883 (Rent Reduction)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

21 ½ East Alabama Street
Office of Mr. W. H. Snowden
May 11, 1883

Meeting at 4:40 pm

Mr. Chaney Chairman

Mr. Chaney brought up the question of reduction of Means rent to $40 per month.

The rent for the month of April paid to Col. Forcarie (Archivist: spelling of name…best guess) and to be refunded.

Mr. Snowden moved that the small house on the rear of the lot be offered for sale on condition of immediate removal.

Mr. Norrman was instructed to offer the house for sale and make the best terms possible.

Meeting adjourned.

Frank Lederle, Secty pro tem

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26 Folder: 01   Book: 01   Pages: 111
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 of Dec 8, 1883 (Furnishing Committee)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Chapel of Church of our Father
Dec. 8, 1883 – 4:40pm

Present:  Mr. Chaney, Chairman, Mr. Hodge, Mr. Lederle, Mr. Klingelsmith.

A committee called the Furnishing Committee was appointed, as follows: Madams – Chaney,  Morrill, Hodge and Fisher, Messrs. Snowden and Klingelsmith.

Meeting adjourned.

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secty

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02   Book: 01   Pages: 118
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 of Dec 15, 1883 (Furnishing & Building Committee Reports)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Chapel of Church of Our Father
Dec 15, 1883
4:30pm

Meeting of the Board of Trustees

Present: Rev. G.L. Chaney, chairman, Messrs. Hodge, Burns, Fisher, Norrman, Lederle and Klingelsmith.

Minutes of the last meeting read and approved.

The Furnishing Committee reported that they had met and arranged for the children’s Christmas Supper on Thursday following Christmas and also had purchased lambrequin curtains and decided upon tables, bought rug for door and other slight furnishings.

The report was accepted.

The building committee was called upon for a report, but as they had not fully investigated the questions involved in their report, and on count of the lateness of the hour, their report was deferred and they were requested to meet and perfect their report.

The meeting then adjourned to meet Wednesday, Dec 19, at 11 am

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secty

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02   Book: 01   Pages: 118 – 119
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 of Dec 19, 1883 (Building Committee Rpt Deferred)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Chapel of Church of Our Father
December 19, 1883
Meeting of Board of Trustees.

Meeting called to order by Rev. G.L. Chaney.

Present: Rev. Mr. Chaney, Messrs. Hodge, Lederle, and Klingelsmith.

The reading of the minutes of the preceding meeting was disposed with.

The report of the Building Committee was called for.

Mr. Lederle reported for the Committee, but owning to the absence of other members of the Committee possessing important parts of the report, the report was laid on the table.

Meeting adjourned,

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secty

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26 Folder: 02   Book: 01   Pages: 120
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 of Dec 20, 1883 (Disputed Bill)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Chapel of Church of Our Father
Dec. 20, 1883
Meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Meeting called to order by Rev. G.L. Chaney.

Present: Rev. Mr. Chaney, Messrs. Hodge, Norrman, Fisher, Lederle and Klingelsmith.
Minutes of the previous meeting read and approved.

Mr. Norrman, of the Building Committee, reported that the Committee had examined into the disputed bill of the contractor, and had approved of a bill in full covering all claims of $1232.00.

After considerable discussion, the Building Committee was authorized to settle with Mr. Youman by paying the $1,232.00 part cash and the balance in 30 or 60 days.

Meeting adjourned,
J.M. Klingelsmith, Secty

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26 Folder: 02   Book: 01  Pages: 121
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 of Jan 2, 1884 (Annual Meeting)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta Ga. Jan 2, 1884
Proceedings of the Adjourned annual meeting of the Church of Our Father held in the Chapel – Jan 2nd at 4 pm.

Present: Mrs. Morrill, Mrs. Hodge, Mrs. Lederle, Mrs. Chaney and Mill Cooledge. Messrs. Chaney, Hodge, Burns, Lederle and Klingelsmith.
Mr. Chaney acted as the Chairman. The reading of the Secretary’s report were dispensed with.

The following report was received from the Treasurer.
Atlanta Ga. Jan 2, 1884
Proceedings of the Adjourned annual meeting of the Church of Our Father held in the Chapel – Jan 2nd at 4 pm.

Present: Mrs. Morrill, Mrs. Hodge, Mrs. Lederle, Mrs. Chaney and Mill Cooledge. Messrs. Chaney, Hodge, Burns, Lederle and Klingelsmith.
Mr. Chaney acted as the Chairman. The reading of the Secretary’s report were dispensed with.

The following report was received from the Treasurer.

Received Amount Total
Subscription $4,195.30
Rent $360.00
Sale of small house $20.00
Cash from Col. Froncier $37.50
Collection (Christmas Festival) $29.45
Sale of Hymn Books $9.00 $4,651.25
Repairs on Dwelling house $835.57
Church $2,167.00
Hymn books $62.05
Christmas Festival $19.35
Expenses $33.85
Insurance $37.50
Furnishing $33.62
Library Books $63.00 $3,701.94
Cash on Hand $949.31
Bills Unpaid
S.C. Planning Mill $632.89
Harwood Seat Co $270.00
Warwick & Son $216.30
Layley & Rormiton $90.00
Upholstering $20.00
Stone Mtn Granite Co $24.50 $1,253.69
Cash on Hand $949.81
Anticipated Deficit $304.31

The Treasurer’s report was received.

An Auditing Committee was appointed to audit the accounts of the Treasurer, as follows: Messrs. Lederle and Burns.

A verbal report was received from the Building Committee and accepted.

It was moved that a Committee be appointed to draft suitable resolutions to express our appreciation and gratitude for the patient and artistic work of our devoted Architect, Mr. G. L. Norrman and that these resolutions be suitably engrossed and a copy furnished Mr. Norrman.
The Chairman appointed as such Committee: Miss Cooledge and Messrs. Hodge and Snowden.

It was moved and seconded that a Standing Committee be appointed or elected for the year 1884 and also a clerk and Treasurer.

After balloting the following were declared elected.
Standing Committee – Messrs. Lederle, Snowden, Norrman and Fisher
Treasurer – J. R. Hodge
Secretary – J.M. Klingelsmith

Moved to Adjourn
J.M. Klingelsmith, Secty

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 60 Folder: 01   Book: 01   Pages: 122 – 123
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Inventory of Atlanta Churches and their Value - 1884

1 January 2014 at 00:00

For the Church

A MILLION INVESTED IN CHURCI
PROPERTY.

The Magnificent Houses of Worship That
Have been Erected in Atlanta – A Cool Million Devoted to
the Cause of the Maker – What the
Colored People Have Done, etc.

Atlanta is a city of churches. A man may come from the uttermost ends of the earth and he will find a place at which he can worship.

See—

There are

Baptist churches.
Methodist churches.
Presbyterian churches,
Episcopalian churches.
Catholic churches.
Northern Methodists.
Methodist Protestants.
Congregationalists.
Piedmont Congregationalists.
A Church of Christ
A Jewish church.
A German Lutheran church.
An Unitarian church.
A Primitive Baptist.
A Spiritualist
And until lately
An Universalist.

This does not include the various sorts of negro religions that go it after a free for all fashion.  There are in the city, in all, fifty-two churches accounted for, some of them exceedingly handsome and possessing very valuable properties.

For Instance the most valuable may be set down as follows:

  • St. Philip’s Episcopal ……………………..$100,000
  • Church Immaculate Conception ………$100,000
  • First Methodist………………..……………….$95,000
  • Trinity Methodist……………………………..$65,000
  • First Baptist …………………………………….$60,000
  • Presbyterian…………………….……….….$60,000
  • Hebrew Benevolent ……………………….. .$55,000
  • Central Presbyterian…………………………$42,000
  • Second Baptist……………………..………$45,000
  • St. Luke’s Episcopal………………….………$25,000

Making a total of……………………………………. $647,000

This includes the church property entire, such as buildings, furniture and houses for the pastors, where they have them, but in the case of the church of the Immaculate Conception the church owns a very valuable convent property which is not included in the estimated value of the church property given above.

These churches pay salaries to their pastors as follows:

  • St. Philip’s Episcopal, $2,500 and a rectory.
  • First Methodist, $3,000 and a parsonage.
  • Trinity Methodist, $2,500 and a parsonage.
  • First Baptist, $2,500 salary.
  • First Presbyterian, $3,000.
  • Hebrew Benevolent Congregation, $1,800.
  • Central Presbyterian, $3,000.
  • Second Baptist, $8,000.
  • St Luke’s Episcopal, $1,800.

Making a total of $23,100 per year for the salaries of the nine pastors. The priests serve for their actual expenses and receive no salaries.

Notes About the other Churches

The other churches may be counted as follows:

  • The Central Baptist on the corner of Fair and Peters, has church property valued at $3,500, and allows a salary of $1,000 per year.
  • The Third Baptist with Dr. Hornady pastor has property to the value of $15,000 and pays its pastor $900 per year.
  • The Fifth Baptist church was built by Hon John II, James, and presented to the congregation in fee simple a few months ago when they enlarged it. It is worth about $4,000 and pays its pastor, Rev. V. C. Norcross,. $720 per year.
  • Evans Chapel, Methodist, has property to the value of $6,000 and pays its pastor, Rev. J. T. Gibson, $1,000 per year.
  • Payne’s chapel, Methodist, has property to the value of $3,500, and pays its pastor, Rev. I. M. Bowden, $900.
  • Pierce’s chapel is valued at $800 and is a mission of Trinity, and is served by Dr. Kendall.
  • The Sixth Methodist has property to the value of $5,000, and pays its pastor, Rev. R. J. Bigham, $720 per year.
  • St. Paul’s, Methodist, has property valued at three or four thousand, and pays its pastor, Rev. W. D. Heath. $800.
  • Grace church, Methodist, on the Boulevard, has a property to the value of $1,500 and is under the  charge of Rev. W . A. Dodge. The missions of the Methodist churches in the city are under the charge of Rev. Mr. Dodge, Rev. Mr. White and the Rev. Mr. Crumley.
  • The Mariette street Methodist church is under the chance of Rev. John A. Thurman. It has property to the value of $15,000 and pays its pastor $1,000.
  • The First Methodist Protestant church, at the corner of Garnett and Forsyth streets, has property to the value of $10,500 and pays its pastor, Rev. Dr. Middleton, $1,200.
  • The Hunter street church of Christ has property to the value of $27,590, and pays its pastor, Dr. Thomas. $1,000 per year.
  • The Piedmont Congregationalist church has property to the value of $2,500, and spends $2,500 per year in its work.  $1.200 of which is paid to the pastor, Rev. J. H. Parker.
  • The German Lutheran church at the junction of Whitehall and Forsyth is worth $5,000, but at present has no pastor.
  • The Third Presbyterian church has property to the value of several thousand dollars and pays its pastor $1,200.
  • The church of Our Father (Unitarian) has very handsome property valued at eight or ten thousand dollars. It is presided over by Rev. George L. Chaney, a gentleman of great zeal, who gives his time to the cause of God without money and without price.
  • The Spiritualists have abandoned their ball and hold regular meetings at the houses of the members. Miss Zaida Brown lectures on Sunday night at 7:30 o’clock at the residence of her father, 44 Plum street. Mrs. C. C. Fan Dunzee lectures to-day at her residence, 58 Cone street.  She will lecture to-day at 2:30pm at her home.
  • The Primitive Baptists have a church on the Boulevard that is worth nearly three thousand dollars.  It is against their custom to pay their pastor any salary.

THE COLORED CHURCHES

Some of the colored churches are quite valuable.  Notably:
Big Bethel, Methodist………….…$18,000
Allen’s Temple, Methodist……..$13,000
Loyd Street Methodist…………….$15,000
Friendship, Baptist……………..…$10,000
First Congregationalist…………..$8,000
Shiloh. Methodist…………………..$6,000
Mount Pleasant, Baptist………… $6,000
Making a total of …………..…….$76,000

Thus it will be seen that the eight largest colored churches foot up quite a snug sum. The entire list of colored churches will foot up a total value of about a hundred thousand dollars, which added to the aggregate of the white churches will make a total of not less than a million as the amount invested in churches and church property In the city.

The salaries of the pastors of the above named churches are as follows:

  • Bethel, Rev. W. J. Gaines, pastor, salary $1,200
  • Alien’s Temple, Rev. John G. Yeiser pastor, salary $1,000;
  • Loyd street Methodist, Rev. C. 0. Fisher: pastor salary about $809;
  • Friendship Baptist, Rev Ed ward Carter pastor, salary $720;
  • First Congregationalist, Rev. Is. Kent pastor, salary $1,000:
  • Shiloh Methodist, Rev. D. B. Brookins pastor, salary $800
  • Mt. Pleasant Baptist, Rev. W. H. Tilman pastor salary $800 per year.

The other colored churches may be mentioned as follows:

  • Antioch Baptist, Rev. Anthony Willams pastor, salary about $100, value of church property $2,000.
  • Bethlehem Baptist church, Rev A. DeLamata pastor salary about $300, value of church property $800.
  • Macedonia Baptist, Rev J. M. Jones pastor salary $25 per month, valuation of church property $4,000.
  • Mt. Zion Baptist, Rev W. R. Clemmons pastor salary $400, value of church property $1,500.
  • Pleasant Grove Baptist, Rev. Charles O. Jones pastor, salary $35 per month, value of church property $1,500.
  • Providence Baptist church Rev. George W. Martin pastor, salary $300, value of church property $1,600.
  • Zion Bill Baptist church Rev. Robert Grant pastor, salary $400 value of church property about $700.
  • Colored church of America, pastor, Rev. Stinson, value of church property $3,000.
  • St. Paul’s African church, Rev. J T. Bellsaw pastor, salary $800, value of property $3,000.

All of which is right interesting despite the numberless figures.

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) ·  Sun, Feb 10, 1884 ·  Page 3

Copyright © 2013 Newspapers.com. All Rights Reserved.

Church of our Father - Meeting Minutes of Mar 17, 1884 (By-laws Membership)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta Ga. March 17, 1884
Reception Room, Ch. of O.F. Meeting of members of Church of Our Father.
Members present: Madams Chaney, Morrill, Snowden, Hodge, Lederle, Center and Miss Cooledge and Center and Messrs. Chaney, Burns, Snowden, Hodge, Lederle and Klingelsmith.

Mr. Burns was call to the chair.

The following By-Law presented by Mr. Hodge after full discussion was adopted previous to which a vote had been taken as to whether the Church desired the matter of admission of new member be left to the decision of the advisory committee or to the church as a body. The vote in favor of leaving it to the Advisory Committee was 11 to 13.
The following is the By-Law

Applications for membership upon the adoption of this By-Law and thereafter at each annual meeting, our advisory committee of two members, on lady and one gentleman, shall be elected, who with the Pastor, an ex-officio third member of this committee, shall receive applications for membership of the church and pass upon the fitness of the applicant. All decisions by the Advisory Committee shall be unanimous.

A vote was then taken by ballot for the members of this advisory committee, which resulted in the election of Mrs. Morrill and Mr. Snowden.

On motion of Mr. Chaney the date of the Dedication of the Church was made April 23, 1884.

A motion was passed appointing a committee of five on Invitation and Hospitality.

The Committee was appointed by the Chair as follows:
Madams Snowden, Hodges, Miss Center and Mr. Lederle and Mr. Klingelsmith.

Meeting adjourned.
J.M. Klingelsmith

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02   Book: 01   Pages: 125 – 126
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University,

Church of our Father - Meeting Minutes Mar 25, 1884 (List of Library Books to be Made)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. March 25, 1884
Mr. J.R Hodge Office 7:30 pm
Meeting of Board of Trustees

Present: Mr. Burris, Chairman and Messrs. Snowden, Lederle, Hodge and Klingelsmith.

Reading of the minutes of last meeting dispensed with.

It was moved and adopted that the Chairman be requested to place an increase of insurance of $1,500 on the Chapel and $1,000 on Books, Furniture and Fixtures.

It was moved and adopted that the Librarian be requested to make a complete list of Books in the Church Library and furnish said list to the Treasurer to be kept as a record for proof in case of loss.

Moved and adopted that Mr. Chaney be request to ascertain the disposition to be made of the Salem (Mass) Church to the American Unitarian Assn. for us. (Archivist Note: Salem, Massachusetts is the Rev. Chaney’s home church).

Moved and adopted that Mr. Norrman be authorized to make (a) contract for the fencing in front of the Church and also to make such changes in the Gallery window as to provide free and full ventilation for it.

Moved and adopted that Mr. Norrman be requested to ascertain the best method of securing (the) closet and water conveniences in the Church.

Moved and adopted that the Committee on Operation of the Church be requested to provide suitable matting for the Church gallery.

Moved and adopted that all future meetings of the Board of Trustees be called by the Secretary at the request of the Pastor or any member of the Board.

Adjourned

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Pages: 4 – 5
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

 

Sermon Summary - Rev. Chaney Press and Morals

1 January 2014 at 00:00

THE PRESS AND MORALS.

Rev. George L. Chaney Delivers an Interesting Lecture on Newspapers and Morals.

Sunday night Rev. George L. Chaney preached on “The Press and Morals,” at “The Church of Our Father,” on Church street. After taking for his text the words, “Some new things,” he began by a talk about the Greeks and the interest they showed in the news, speaking of that as one of the reasons why they became a leading people, quick-witted and interested in what was new. They were not devoted to past events. In their natures he said the Greeks were like the patrons of modern newspapers. He spoke of the history of newspapers, beginning with the first paper the Gazetteer published in Venice in 1536 and read on the street corners to keep the people informed about the war with the Turks. He went on to give an account of the growth of the press in England. At first it was controlled by the government, thus having no freedom. Afterward it achieved its freedom and began to increase in power, so that the eighteenth century, which was the century of development, witnessed such a growth that there were nearly 1,900 periodicals issued in the kingdom. In America the growth has been still more marvelous. In Franklin’s day his brother James was dissuaded from printing the Boston Couriant, on the ground that the people said one paper was enough for America. Just one hundred years from that day there are in America over eleven thousand periodicals.

Mr. Chaney spoke of the London Times and the New York Tribune as representative papers. They had editors who had convictions, and would stand by them independent of party and patronage. He spoke of the career of Mr. Walters, the editor of the London Times, who, although he knew he would lose heavily exposed the errors of Lord Melville’s administration and would not let his losses be made up because he said no paper could help a cause if it had to be helped by the cause. At the close of the war Greeley warned his associates that it was as impossible to build up a great party on hate as it was to plant a colony on an iceberg that was floating down to a southern ocean. He criticized one of two things about the press, objecting to the publication of details of trials. He said editors should remember they were not writing for the mob, but to people who had education. He said writing smut was no more excusable than talking smut. He quoted Lamartine as saying that by the end of this century the newspaper would be the only book; that thought would not have time to write itself into a book. Mr. Chaney did not think so unless the press would take higher ground than at present.

The lecture was much enjoyed by those who heard it.

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Tuesday, Apr. 8, 1884 – Page 7

Copyright 2013 Newspapers.com. All rights reserved.

 

Church of Our Father - OOS, Apr 23, 1884 (Dedication of the Church)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Order of Service the the dedication of the Church of Our Father in Atlanta, GA. on Apr 23, 1884.

Refer to this archive document Dedication of the Church of Our Father for additional information.

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

Order of Service for the dedication of the Church of our Father

Order of Service for the dedication of the Church of our Father (Page 1)

Order of Service for the dedication of the Church of our Father (Page 2)

Order of Service for the dedication of the Church of our Father (Page 2)

Order of Service for the dedication of the Church of our Father (Page 3)

Order of Service for the dedication of the Church of our Father (Page 3)

Dedication of the Church of Our Father

1 January 2014 at 00:00
 The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) ·  Thu, Apr 24, 1884 ·  Page 5

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) · Thu, Apr 24, 1884 · Page 5

GIVEN TO GOD.

The Church of Our Father, on Church Street, Formally Dedicated.

The Church of Our Father on Church street, was dedicated last night, and notwithstanding the unfavorable weather, a large congregation was present to witness the impressive services.

The services were conducted by clergymen from Charleston, New Orleans, Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. The dedication sermon was preached by the Rev Rush R. Shippen, of Washington, D. C. It was a forcible and persuasive presentation of the type of Christianity which Unitarians represent. Mr. Shippen throughout his discourse showed a due respect for all other religious sects. Among the topics upon which he treated were practical Christianity, the doing of Christ’s commandments as more important than having correct speculative views of his nature, was declared to be a leading characteristic of his church. The fatherhood of God; human brotherhood; the worth and promise of human nature; the value of the present life.

The church whose beauty has been so much admired was made doubly attractive by its exquisite floral decoration. The Easter trimmings were retained and a wreath of bright flowers were added for the occasion.

Mr. Chaney announced that there would be special services in the church on Thursday morning and evening, beginning with a devotional services at 9 a. m. At 10 that day a southern conference of Unitarian and other Christian churches would be formed and the best methods of religious work would be discussed by the ministers and delegates present. At the evening meeting, beginning at half past seven, addresses would be made by Rev. Messrs. Allen, Browne, Thayer, Shippen and Carney upon the religious principles that seem to them most important at the present time. The public were cordially invited to attend the meeting.

 The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) ·  Thu, Apr 24, 1884 ·  Page 5

Copyright © 2013 Newspapers.com. All Rights Reserve

Formation of the Southern Conference of Unitarian and Other Christian Churches

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta —The new Unitarian chapel in Atlanta, Ga., was dedicated on Wednesday evening, April 23, with a sermon by R. R. Shippen, of Washington, D. C. Revs. C. A. Allen, of New Orleans, E. C. L. Browne, of Charleston, S. C, G. A. Thayer, of Cincinnati, took part in the exercises, and the pastor, Rev. G. L. Chaney, offered the prayer of dedication. Mr. Shippen preached from I. Peter, 3:15, “The Church of the Living God,” explaining eloquently the distinctive ideas of the Unitarian Church.

On Thursday morning, after prayer meeting led by Rev. Mr. Browne, Rev. Mr. Shippen was appointed chairman, and the Southern Conference of Unitarian and other Christian Churches was organized. The following Constitution and Board of Officers was subsequently reported and adopted:

CONSTITUTION

To promote acquaintance and co-operation between the Unitarian churches already existing in the South; to extend toward other Christian churches our brotherly sympathy; to devise means tor the friendly correspondence and so far as possible the religious conference and comfort of our scattered fellow believers, and to prepare ourselves for such opportunities of united religious service as shall be opened to us in the future development of this portion of our common country, we unite to form the Southern Conference of Unitarian and other Christian Churches.

The officers of this Conference shall he a President, three Vice-Presidents, a Secretary and Treasurer, and a board of nine Directors, who shall perform the duties usually appertaining to these offices. An annual meeting shall be held and other meetings whenever deemed necessary and practicable to the officers. The officers shall he elected at the annual meeting, and shall hold office until others are elected in their place.

OFFICERS

  • President: A. B. Rose, M. D. of Charleston
  • Vice-Presidents: J.M. Gould, of New Orleans; F. G, Bromberg, of Mobile; J. A. Burns, of Atlanta.
  • Secretary and Treasurer: J. Russell Hodge, of Atlanta.
  • Directors—Alva Gage, Mrs. M. E. Mills, Rev. E. C. L. Browne, Charleston; W. H. Snowden, Mrs. A. N. Gude, Rev. G. L. Chaney, Atlanta; W. Palfrey, Mrs. Chas. Holloway, Rev. C A. Allen, New Orleans.

Rev. Mr. Thayer gave an account of the excellent work that had been done in the Cincinnati church by corresponding with scattered Unitarians in the Western States and supplying them with religious reading.

Other reports were made of work which had been done during the past year. Rev. Mr. Parker, of the Congregationalist church of Atlanta, was called upon and made an excellent speech. In the evening addresses were made by the visiting ministers. An interesting letter descriptive of the dedication, from Mr. Thayer of Cincinnati, will be found on another page.

Source:  Unity found in Google Books  May 16, 1884, Volume XIII, Page 118-119

 

Church of Our Father - Meeting Minutes of JunΒ 10, 1884 (General Business)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Jun 10, 1884
J.R. Hodge’s office 8:00pm.
Meeting of Board of Trustees.

Present: Mr. Hodge, Chairman, Messrs. Snowden, Fisher, Norrman, Lederle and Klingelsmith.

Reading of the minutes dispensed with.

Moved that the first Friday of each month at 7:30 pm be appointed the regular time of monthly meeting until further notice of Board of Trustees. Adopted.

Moved that the school building be offered by Mr. Hodge with power to close at $55.00 or $50.00 to Prof. Means, on year, with refusal, at $60.00 per month. Adopted.

Moved that all Standing Committees be abolished and a committee of one person each be appointed to fill the place of former committees. Adopted.

Moved that the chairman of the former Standing Committees be appointed as such committee. Adopted.

Moved that the city be permitted to lay brick sidewalk in front of church and school premises and Board take no steps in the matter.

Moved that Messrs. Norrman and Snowden be appointed with power to act to arrange for and put in sink and closet conveniences in the temporary library of church. Adopted.

Moved that $50.00 be appropriated for the publication of sermon tracts and the appropriation to be at the disposal of Mr. Chaney. Adopted.

Moved to adjourn. Adjourned.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 25 Folder: 02 Book: 02 Pages: 6 – 7
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 Jul 23, 1884 (Library Open Hours)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. July 23, 1884
Reception Room, Church of Our Father (Ch. Of O.F.) 5 pm.
Meeting of members of Church of Our Father.

Prayer by Rev. Mr. Chaney.

Present: Mesdames Morrill, Chaney, Snowden, Fisher, Grigsby, Gude, Center, Lederle, and Miss Centers.

Messrs. Hodge, Lederle, Morely, Burris, Gude and Klingelsmith.

Mr. Hodge was called to the chair.

Minutes of previous meeting read and accepted.

Report was called for by the Committee on Incorporation. The Secretary was called upon to read and order of incorporation.  It was approved.

It was moved that officers be elected for the ensuing year.

It was moved that the Secretary be appointed to cast the ballot of the church for its officers.  Adopted.

The following were elected to serve as the officers and trustees of the church for the following year – Board of Trustees.

Messrs. Snowden, Fisher, Lederle, Norrman, Gude.  Treasurer, Hodge.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

Mr. Chaney read the general invitation to the National Unitarian Conference to be held at Saratoga in September.

The following delegates were elected to attend the convention:  Mesdames Chaney and Morrill and Rev. Mr. Chaney.

Moved that the library be opened on Sunday afternoon between the hours of 4 and during the close of the church from Aug 1st to Oct 1st covering the vacation of Mr. and Mrs. Chaney.  Adopted.

Remarks were then made by Rev. Mr. Chaney regarding the work of the Ladies Auxiliary Committee in which he called their attention of the need at the Industrial Home and hoped they would give it such help as they could and visit it and encourage it.

He also hoped that they would rapidly further the grand work just started of founding lending libraries and also give through the mails and in person any information regarding religious subject in the their power to those who might inquire.  He also hoped that they would maintain the steady interest in the welfare of the Parish Library to which he hoped we would materially add to during his vacation and this continue in growth one of our most important factors of Christian Civilization.

Meeting adjourned.

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 25   Folder: 02   Book: 01   Pages: 127 – 129
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 Sep 5, 1884 (Letter to AUA Asking to Keep Rev. Chaney in Atlanta)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Sept. 5, 1884

There being no business to transact in July and August, the Board did not convene during these months.

J.R. Hodges Office 8 pm.
Present: Messrs. Hodge, Norrman, Lederle, Gude and Klingelsmith
Mr. Lederle was chosen chairman.

Minutes of the last meeting read and approved.

The following letter was offered for the consideration of the Board by Mr. Hodge.

American Unitarian Association
Boston, Mass.

Gentlemen

In one month the Church of Our Father of this city as expected, will re-open for another year, and it may not be inappropriate for us, its Trustees, to say a few words to you in regard to its past and future welfare, recognizing as we do, the fact that it is really due to your Association that it is in existence at the present day.

When, with your assistance, Mr. Chaney came to Atlanta it seemed to us that the prospect of successfully establishing a Unitarian Church here, was more than discouraging. There was the merest handful of real Unitarians to be found by the most careful search, and the powerful orthodox organizations and influences, strong by age and the natural tendencies of the people of this section seemed to prohibit almost the possibility of adding to our numbers by the new converts, either form those found to other creeds or those who seemed to incline to no especial denomination.

With rare tact and discrimination, Mr. Chaney began by interesting the few Unitarians in his project and other residents of the city in general matters of public education and charitable importance, forcing them to admit the desirability of his influence in affairs entirely disconnected from the Church and to regard him mainly in the light of a most valued citizen.

About a year ago after his arrival the field seemed ready for more definite work and our Society was organized and with the liberal contributions he secured from the North, added to what we could raise here, our Church was built and from the day we first held services in it we have more and more felt we were coming a power in the community. Our membership has nearly doubled its original number and we are confident that the coming year will produce even better results than the past.

We appreciate fully the help you have given us by sending Mr. Chaney here and aiding us so much in the matter of supplying us with land for the our Church. We feel with reason that each year we should need less help from you than the year before, and it will be but a little time when we shall be self-supporting.

To accomplish this, however, and thoroughly complete the good work that has been begun, we cannot too strongly urge you to add your endeavor to our own to keep Mr. Chaney here. It is due to him that the first discouraging features and their insurmountable obstacles have been so well overcome and today he has hold upon us as a Society and upon the community at large as a man and a citizen that no one else could take.

The knowledge we have of him induces a love and respect that cannot be transferred to any one else, and we are convinced that the successful fruition of the work attempted depends more upon his continued stay here than anything else and earnestly hope you will be of the same opinion.

We cannot close without some reference to the important influence Mrs. Chaney also has in the matter. Her popularity with the people generally is as great as her husband’s. Her interesting work and excellent judgment are manifest both in the church and in numerous matter of public interest and we feel that in our present success, she has been a factor of the greatest value.

Signature of the Board

Moved to be received and spread upon the minutes and a copy sent to AUA.   Adopted.

Mr. Norrman reported that the small library shelves had been put in.

Report received and approved.

Adjourned

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

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

 

Report on Southern Conference delivered by Rev. Chaney Sep 22 - 26, 1884

1 January 2014 at 00:00

REPORT OF THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE.

BY REV. GEORGE L. CHANEY, OF ATLANTA.

This Conference was formed in Atlanta, Ga., April 24, 1884. It is not yet six months old. The infant is doing as well as could be expected. Its report might stop here, were it not for its hope and promise of future usefulness and the good record which the churches composing it have made for themselves during the last two years.

Rev. E. C. L. Browne, Rev. C. A. Allen, and Rev. G. L. Chaney, the ministers respectively of the Unitarian churches in Charleston, S. C, New Orleans, La., and Atlanta, Ga., organized the Conference; and Rev. R. R. Shippen, of Washington, D. C, and Rev. George A. Thayer, of Cincinnati, Ohio, also gave their aid and counsel at the meeting in which the Conference began.

The preamble of this Conference expresses its purpose. It is as follows: —

“To promote acquaintance and co-operation between the Unitarian churches already existing at the South; to extend toward other Christian churches our brotherly sympathy; to devise means for the friendly correspondence and, so far as possible, for the religious conference and comfort of our scattered fellow believers; and to prepare ourselves for such opportunities for united religious service as shall be opened to us in the future development of this portion of our common country, we unite to form the Southern Conference of Unitarian and other Christian Churches.”

The following named persons were chosen as officers: President, A. B. Rose, M. D., of Charleston, S. C. Vice-Presidents: J. M. Gould, of New Orleans; F. G. Bromberg, of Mobile; J. A. Burns, of Atlanta. Secretary and Treasurer, J. Russell Hodge, of Atlanta. Directors: Alvah Gage, Mrs. M. E. Mills, and Rev. E. C. L. Browne, of Charleston, S. C; W. H. Snowden, Mrs. A. V. Gude, and Rev. G. L. Chaney, of Atlanta; W. Palfray, Mrs. C. Holloway, and Rev. C. A. Allen, of New Orleans.

1. At a public meeting held the same evening, addresses of rare ability, discrimination, and sober eloquence, were given by the visiting clergymen; and a most favorable impression of the personnel of our ministry was made in Atlanta. The formation of this Conference in Atlanta has already given to the young church there a feeling that it is not alone in the work it has undertaken. When similar meetings are held at Charleston and New Orleans, as the Conference proposes during the coming year, we believe an equal benefit will be conferred upon the churches in those cities. Charleston is almost as far from New Orleans as it is from Boston. Their common geographical position in the South did not practically bring them into social relations. But with a church at Atlanta, halfway between them, and a Conference to bring their representatives together, we may hope for a deepened sense, a community of interest, and an oneness of calling between them.

Since the last meeting of the National Conference, and largely in consequence of its generous action, the church in New Orleans has been freed from its debt of over $15,000, and is now clear of all obligations, save to love one another and the friends who have so freely aided it. The church in Charleston has resolutely held its own, in spite of the bereavements of death and the hesitating return of its old-time prosperity. The church in Atlanta has become an accomplished fact, has built and dedicated a comely chapel free from debt, and stands ready to serve the denomination as a distributing centre for its literature, its men, and its missions.

The preservation of the historic churches of Charleston and New Orleans, alike from the fires of war and the waters of flood, is a source of worthy satisfaction to the Unitarian Church at large; and too much praise is not likely to be given to those faithful laymen and devoted ministers who have made this preservation the ground of good hopes for the future.

It seems little to ask from those who have already shown themselves generous that they will give these lonely workmen the comfort of their presence and sympathy in worship, whenever, as often happens in these travelling days, they find themselves near either of our Southern churches on Sunday. And if, on further inquiry and acquaintance with their methods of work, the impulse to lend a hand becomes natural, let it have its way. Churches and charities that speed on wheels at the North limp on crutches at the South for want of money. Grievous as is the sense of dependence to a high-spirited people, — and the Southern people are high-spirited, — our churches there are more burdened by the sight of unrelieved miseries, unredeemed wrongs, ignorance and mischief running at large, and native talents running to waste than by their own necessities.

If our friends at the North still care to educate the poorer classes at the South, and co-operate with the Southern people in their brave struggle for redemption from present darkness and sin, they will find our churches already waiting and longing to be the agents of their humane means and energies. We shall best commend our church by letting her works praise her in the gates.

It is possible now, as it has not been before since the war, to secure the co-operation of one’s neighbors of every sect in the organization and management of benevolent institutions. Whatever can be spared from the foremost duty of carrying our churches to the South will be best expended in such mutual benefactions between the people of our churches and their neighbors. In Atlanta, an Industrial Cottage has been opened, where the poorer white children are taught the domestic economies and housekeeping arts; an accomplished colored graduate of the Boston School of Cooking has begun her delectable mission to her colored sisters; a Technical School has been projected, and only awaits the better time coming in the commercial world to be realized; a free lending library of twelve hundred volumes has been established in connection with the church, and a system inaugurated by which small-sized, well-selected libraries may be placed in centres of population throughout the South. This is a field of usefulness never entered upon by any of our predecessors; and it is exactly in accordance with our faith in liberal culture, our large share in such culture, and the great need of such culture at the South. This library mission, and the handy education which we have already strongly advocated and partly secured, we place at the head of our practical benefactions. Meantime, the Post-ofiice Mission, which, we were prompt to learn from our friends at Cincinnati, is bringing letters almost daily from every part of Georgia, asking for books and papers explaining the faith and purpose of Unitarianism.

2. Besides these inquirers there are Unitarians in various portions of the South who have no church of their kind near at hand. It will be the endeavor of this Conference to discover such people, ascertain their religious needs, and as far as possible supply them. Already, we are in correspondence with some of them; and, through these, we shall become acquainted with others. In time, churches will arise from the coming together of these fellow-believers; and we shall encourage the formation of Unitarian societies as fast as they promise to be useful and self-supporting. In small towns like Marietta, Ga., where several Unitarian families reside, and where they illustrate their catholicity by attending the churches already existing there, it will be enough if we can visit them occasionally and keep alive the love and the memories of their home Church. That is, we do not propose to multiply Unitarian churches without regard to the local condition of their support. In all the larger cities of the South there will be a Unitarian church soon or late, because in all such cities there will be enough worshippers of that faith to form and sustain Unitarian societies. Richmond, Wilmington in North Carolina, Savannah, Jacksonville, Augusta, Mobile, Vicksburg, Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville should all be visited and judiciously entreated.

But the scattered sheep must put up with itinerant service; and, in their genial and hearty participation in the best religious society near them, they will be promoting free and spiritual Christianity where it most needs promotion, — in the heart of the Orthodox churches. Unitarianism, concentrated in the large cities, dispersed in the villages, will be the policy as well as the necessity of our ecclesiastical work at the South.

3. And, whatever may be said of the readiness or unreadiness of this peculiarly interesting portion of our country to welcome Unitarian Christianity, it is certain that many intelligent and humane people of every sect are earnestly alive to the value of those social, intellectual, and charitable enterprises with which Unitarians have always been actively associated. Social science, associated charities, prison reform, vital education, training in the handicrafts and household arts, the diffusion of knowledge by libraries and lectures, hospital care,—these interests, and others like them, afford a common meeting-ground for all who believe in human progress, whatever they may think of human nature. We propose to meet our friends at the South on this plane of a common humanity.

Already as individuals we have done what we could in our several places to promote integral education and practical benevolence. With some of us, this work in Southern fields began during the war and has continued to this day. We gratefully remember Richmond, Hampton, Wilmington, Charleston, Atlanta, Tuskegee, and other less conspicuous centres of education thus aided in their happy development and sustained in their present useful and honorable position. Our typical Unitarian churches have always accepted as their true church work whatever would elevate purity and enlighten mankind. Having nothing to gain from the ignorance of men, appealing ever to their enlightened mind and conscience, Unitarianism counts general education as its near ally. In the voluntary mission of Mr. Mayo in the cause, we find a way of helping education at the South which is peculiarly congenial with our unsectarian methods and spirit. In four years, he has visited thirteen of the Southern States, carrying the precise knowledge of the American public school system which was most needed in these States, and giving them valuable encouragement and suggestions in their adoption of it. In accordance with our recommendation, the Association has assumed the larger part of the salary of Mr. Mayo for the coming year; and we believe that what he is doing for education at the South will prove a direct service to the cause of truth and righteousness in religion, which is our cause.

For the accomplishment of the purposes thus set before them, the Southern Conference will rely, first, upon its own resources, which are chiefly interest in our church and zeal for its cause; and, second, upon the sympathy and aid of the Unitarian Church at large, in whose service we are engaged. The absence of a strong Unitarian constituency at the South makes it necessary that every new church planted there should depend, for a longer or shorter period, upon the resources of some missionary body. While these resources are limited, the work of multiplying these churches must go on slowly; but we believe that it can be accomplished in any large city where it is attempted, if the means, the man, and the right method are employed.

Grateful for the confidence and generosity already shown them, the churches of the South would reward their friends by giving them new and larger opportunities for the propagation of their faith.

Source:  Official Report of the Proceedings of the Eleventh Meeting of the National Conference of Unitarian and other Christian Churches found in Google Books,  Sep 22-26, 1884, Held in Saratoga, NY Page 36 – 39

 

Church of Our Father - Meeting Minutes Nov 3, 1884 (Annual Meeting)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Nov 3, 1884
Annual meeting of Church of Our Father

Members present: Mesdames Morrill, Gude, Center, Hodge, Winslow and Miss Cooledge and Center.
Messrs. Morely, Lederle, Winslow, Norrman, Harding, Hodge, Gude ad Klingelsmith.

Meeting opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Chaney who then retired from the meeting. Mr. Gude was chosen chairman.

The Treasurer’s report was called for and Treasurer Hodge made the following report:

In making his report of our financial condition during the year since our last Annual Meeting your Treasurer desires to extend his congratulations not only that we have been able to readily meet all demand made upon us, but also that at this time the end and beginning of our church and fiscal year, we have not inconsiderable cash balance on hand.

Leaving out of account the American Unitarian Association and the salary or our pastor, items that cannot at present be fairly considered among those that we are called upon to meet, we have paid up everything and instead of having like of our sister churches, a debt to board of, we have $361.20 in hand.

We all know that this happy result is due to the kind assistant of our friends outside of the Church and while thanking then from our hearts for their more than generous help, must bear in mind that the time is fast approaching when we must not look to them for further aid, but must be self-sustaining.

While your Treasurer believes firmly that every member has done all he could to put our church in good financial condition the fact remains that we, as a body corporate, must do more, much more, this year than last. And inasmuch as we are all doing as much as we can the importance of securing new members and gaining increased financial strength becomes self-evident.

To illustrate this fact more clearly, you will pardon me if I here give some figures that will make the case plain.

Our pastor originally came here on a salary from the A.U.A. of $2,000 per year and for nearly two years they paid him this sum. This summer he very properly told them he did not think they should pay him over $1,500, but that wherever more he needed would be made up here. The fact is, that in order to meet his necessary expenses, he needs not the $2,000 originally paid him, but $2,500. You all know him and his family so well it is needless to attempt to say why he needs this amount.

I think you all will admit it is not unreasonable that $2,500 should be required for the support properly of a family like his, when the necessary travelings expenses are included. It therefore falls upon us to pay him $1,000 in addition to what he receives from the A.U.A.   That is, the heaviest expense we have to meet.

We had subscribed by members last year $600. We received this year from excess rent over interest $310 so that if this year’s subscriptions should be the same as last year, we can expect a total of $910 and we $250 cash on hand, making $1270.

I would recommend that we consider not less than $270 of this be set aside for the care of church, fuel and light which would leave only $1,000 for all expenses besides, including those items we cannot now reckon upon and our pastor’s salary. It is not enough to make things sure, and at the closet calculations would leave us this time next year without a cent.

I believe you will agree with that our subscriptions list must be increased.

I should say that there is still $290 due us on this year’s subscription and $65 rent for the dwelling house, but these figures do not affect the totals I have given you.

Thus briefly I have mentioned the main points to be considered and at the close of this report will read in detail our receipts and payments. There are many things we would like to do here in the church and outside, but we must wail until on little handful of members has grown as it will to compare favorably with the members in our neighboring churches.

The demand for pecuniary aid will be constant and increasing and it becomes the duty of each of us who feels a real interest in the welfare of our church to do all he can until we have passed from the category of missionary churches and like some of the older Unitarian churches of the north, cannot only support ourselves, but lend a helping hand to other young and struggling organizations.

In so far as it may seem to hear only the Treasury interest of the church, I will in conclusion refer to the indirect strength we seem to be gaining in this city. A couple of years ago, a Unitarian church here was with religiously inclined people a thing not to be thought of – an impossibility. Today, I can confidently assert there is not one of those people ignorant of our existence. Many come to hear the words of our pastor and of those many, some will stay. It rests with us to encourage them and to hold them.

Everyone gives us strength as to numbers and finance ally and speaking from the last point, no opportunity should be lost.

Respectfully Submitted,

<signed>

J. Russell Hodge, Treasurer

 Receipts to Nov 3, 1884 1883 1884
General subscription 4195.50
Rev. L. Chaney 215.00
Annual subscriptions 307.00
Rent 417.50 520.00
Hymn Books 900.00
Collection for Christmas Festival 29.45
General Contributions 86.45
Box Receipts 15.90
American Unitarian Association 363.87
Gifts 254.00
Receipts 1883 4657.25
Receipts 1884 1662.22
Total Receipts 6313.47
 Receipts to Nov 3, 1884 1883 1884
General subscription 4195.50
Rev. L. Chaney 215.00
Annual subscriptions 307.00
Rent 417.50 520.00
Hymn Books 900.00
Collection for Christmas Festival 29.45
General Contributions 86.45
Box Receipts 15.90
American Unitarian Association 363.87
Gifts 254.00
Receipts 1883 4657.25
Receipts 1884 1662.22
Total Receipts 6313.47
Payments to Nov 3, 1884 1883 1884
Real Estate Dwelling 835.57 84.00
Chapel 2617.00 1047.29
Hyman Books 62.05
Christmas Festival 19.35
Expense 33.85 103.37
Insurance 37.50 69.00
Furnishings 33.62 484.58
Books, etc. 63.00 35.04
Fuel and Light 43.05
Interest 350.00
Printing Sermons 24.00
Suffering Poor 10.00
Payments 1883 3701.94
Payments 1884 2250.33
Total Payments 5952.27
Cash on Hand as per Trial Balance 361.20
Amount to balance receipts 6313.47

Trial Balance of Treasurer Church of Our Father Nov 3, 1884

Cash 361.20
Geo. L. Chaney 215.00
Miss Cooledge 27.00
W.H. Snowden 65.00
E.P. Burris 25.00
Mrs. Morrill 35.00
F. Lederle 12.00
J.R. Hodge 34.00
J.M. Klingelsmith 6.00
Real Estate Dwelling 17.93
Chapel 3664.29
Hymn Books 53.05 10.10
Christmas Festival 137.22
Expenses 106.50
Insurance 518.20
Books and Library 98.04
???? Subscription 4195.38
Mrs. Center 3.00
Miss S.E. Center 3.00
Miss M.J. Center 2.00
W.E. Fisher 29.00
A.V. Gude 15.00
J.E. Harding 18.00
John Y. Dixon 15.00
T.N. Winslow 8.00
J.D. Wilson 5.00
General Contribution 76.44
Fuel and Light 43.05 15.90
Box Receipts
American Unitarian Association 363.87
Interest 350.00
Gifts
  Women’s Auxiliary 120.00
  Women’s Auxiliary Kings Chapel 29.00
Miss ???? Bradley 5.00
Printing 24.00
L.L. Fisher 5.00
Total 5355.55 5355.55

The Treasurer’s Report was accepted and ordered spread upon the minutes.

The Report of the Board of Trustees was then called for and the following report was read by Mr. Klingelsmith, Secy of the Board.

Report of the Board of Trustees to the Members of the Church of Our Father:

In addition to the report of the Treasurer, the Board of Trustees desires to make a report though somewhat meager of their stewardship of the affairs of the church for the past year.

It will be observed that the Treasurer’s report covers almost the entire ground, of the receipts and disbursements by that officer if followed up would disclose about every effective act of the Board.

We congratulate the church on the splendid showing which the Treasurer’s report discloses the amount of means generously bestowed upon us and its wise and fruitful investment. We hope that the entire church will feel a personal pride in endeavoring to add to this fine record.

Our church as come to us like a great friend and we should feel a deep interest in extending the blessings and benefactions that have added so much to our usefulness and happiness.

As to the work of our various committees, they have each performed their duties, though quietly, with apparent zest and satisfaction and we believe everything has been as well done as could be desired.

The musical department of the church has been so well conducted and has rendered so much sweet and serviceable aid to the church, that it and the music committee are entitled to special praise and the sincere gratitude of the Board as well as the church.

We can only scan the past year’s record and report to you a few feature of our work.

Our manner of seeking subscriptions and the methods of collecting them on the first Thursday of each month, we believe you are well acquainted with and heartily approve, as well as the uses and good looks of our contributions box in the vestibule.

Last spring we increased the insurance on the Chapel and school building $1,500 and also insured the books in the Parish Library to the amount of $1,000.

Our improvements during the past year aside from the completion of work begun previous to our last annual meeting consisted mainly in a new and ornamental fence enclosing the church yard and the laying of a sidewalk of brick by the city at our expense on the church street side of our property.

We also added to the accommodation of the library by supplying additional shelf room in the Ladies Room and we would also suggest at this point that it would perhaps be well to enlarge on this improvement and relieve the already too much crowded small room of a few of its books. This small room has also been supplied with hydrant water and a sink for the convenience of the ladies.

Plain but durable matting has been laid in the aisles of the church and also in the vestibule and gallery, and it might be well to add also a width in the ladies room from the entrance door to the center aisle, as it would make quieter entrance from those coming late.

We have to report that the school building was re-let for one year to Prof. Means at a monthly rental of $55.00. This is somewhat less than we thought the building was worth at that time, but in view of the fact that its occupation for school purposes was much to be preferred to that of a boarding house or some similar purpose, we deemed it best to renew our lease with Mr. Means, as he had been a pleasant and acceptable tenant.

Early with summer, we appropriated $50.00 for a publication fund to be use by our pastor, Mr. Chaney, in the publication of sermons, tracts, etc. for general distribution. We felt that the high character of his sermons and the Christian doctrines promulgated were worthy of a wider circulation and influence. We feel that this fund should never be left at low tide and it might be proper to suggest that special contribution could be made to this fund.

Printing presses are plenty nowadays, but good and sound Christian doctrines are scarce, and a few dollars invested in extending the circulation of Mr. Chaney’s sermons, we feel will result in great good and material advancement of our Church.

Last spring we were made a generous and useful donation in the shape of a carload of coke from Col. W.C. Morrill for which we return our hearty thanks.

Many generous gifts of beautiful and fragrant flowers have graced the pulpit and tables at various times and we are deeply indebted for these refined acts of attention.

The following letter which was sent by the board to the American Unitarian Association of Boston on Sept 5 last explains itself and will probably be new to some of you although it was published in the Sept number of the Christian Register.

American Unitarian Association, Boston, Mass.

Gentlemen,

In one month the Church of Our Father of this city as expected, will re-open for another year, and it may not be inappropriate for us, its Trustees, to say a few words to you in regard to its past and future welfare, recognizing as we do, the fact that it is really due to your Association that it is in existence at the present day.

When, with your assistance, Mr. Chaney came to Atlanta it seemed to us that the prospect of successfully establishing a Unitarian Church here, was more than discouraging. There was the merest handful of real Unitarians to be found by the most careful search, and the powerful orthodox organizations and influences, strong by age and the natural tendencies of the people of this section seemed to prohibit almost the possibility of adding to our numbers by the new converts, either form those found to other creeds or those who seemed to incline to no especial denomination.

With rare tact and discrimination, Mr. Chaney began by interesting the few Unitarians in his project and other residents of the city in general matters of public education and charitable importance, forcing them to admit the desirability of his influence in affairs entirely disconnected from the Church and to regard him mainly in the light of a most valued citizen.

About a year ago after his arrival the field seemed ready for more definite work and our Society was organized and with the liberal contributions he secured from the North, added to what we could raise here, our Church was built and from the day we first held services in it we have more and more felt we were coming a power in the community. Our membership has nearly doubled its original number and we are confident that the coming year will produce even better results than the past.

We appreciate fully the help you have given us by sending Mr. Chaney here and aiding us so much in the matter of supplying us with land for the our Church. We feel with reason that each year we should need less help from you than the year before, and it will be but a little time when we shall be self-supporting.

To accomplish this, however, and thoroughly complete the good work that has been begun, we cannot too strongly urge you to add your endeavor to our own to keep Mr. Chaney here. It is due to him that the first discouraging features and their insurmountable obstacles have been so well overcome and today he has hold upon us as a Society and upon the community at large as a man and a citizen that no one else could take.

The knowledge we have of him induces a love and respect that cannot be transferred to any one else, and we are convinced that the successful fruition of the work attempted depends more upon his continued stay here than anything else and earnestly hope you will be of the same opinion.

We cannot close without some reference to the important influence Mrs. Chaney also has in the matter. Her popularity with the people generally is as great as her husband’s. Her interesting work and excellent judgment are manifest both in the church and in numerous matter of public interest and we feel that in our present success, she has been a factor of the greatest value.

<signed by Board>

J.R. Hodge
W.H. Snowden
A.U. Gude
W.E. Fisher
G.L. Norrman
Frank Lederle

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secy

Hoping thee the coming year will be improved more than the past, and leave better results to be reported to you.

We are your obedient servants,

By the Board

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secy

The following resolution was then adopted, in response to the recommendation of the Treasurer’s report and as the sense of the meeting to provide for the necessary addition to Mr. Chaney’s salary.

Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that it is the duty of this society to pay during the coming year $1,000 toward the pastor’s salary and that the Treasurer be instructed after meeting absolutely necessary expenses to pay this amount of as much of it as he can as he from time to time may have funds.

A committee of three was then appointed to nominate a member of the Board of Trustees to fill the vacancy caused by the expiration of Mr. Fisher’s team.

The Committee nominated Mr. Morely and he was unanimously elected.

Treasurer Hodge and Clerk Klingelsmith were both unanimously elected for another term.

A vote of thanks was passed for the faithfulness and efficiency of the Treasurer and Clerk.

Rev. Mr. Chaney presented to the church two beautiful tablets 6 ft. x 13 ft. containing the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer, former occupying a place in his old Boston church, the Hollis street.

After considerable discussion and consultation with Architect Norrman, it was regretfully concluded not to accept the gift on account of the inability of using them in our small church. Many thanks mingled with many regrets were tendered Mr. Chaney for his generous gift.

A committee of three was appointed to examine the Treasurer’s books, consisting of Messrs. Lederle, Norrman and Snowden.

Adjourned

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 25   Folder: 02   Book: 01   Pages: 130 – 145
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

 

Summary of Christmas Service - 1884

1 January 2014 at 00:00
The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Mon, Dec 29, 1994 – Page 1009

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Mon, Dec 29, 1994 – Page 1009

The Church of Our Father.

The church was handsomely decorated for Christmas with holly, laurel and pine.  At the morning service the text of Mr. Cheney was from Haggai, 2, 7; “The desire of all nations shall come,” and Luke, 2, 34 and 35;  “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that shall be spoken against  . . . that the thoughts of many hearts shall be revealed.” The revolution which Simeon predicted is to us a matter of history. The text indicates an office of Christ is not often considered, namely, Christ the revealer of man to himself, the educator of human thought.

In every age since the first Christmas – the person of Christ has attracted the inquiry and (???) the reverence of the foremost as well as the humblest minds.

The brilliant and reckless Rousscan joins in the simple peasant’s hymn of praise to Jesus. From scholarly Goethe to the unlettered frau in the humblest German village, one tribute ascends to Jesus of Nazareth. The profoundest learning of the most diligent and acquisitive body of students the world has ever seen has spent its every hour of active life in searching and unfolding the life work of Jesus and whether the conclusion be in one view or the other, whether with Strauss you end with myth, or with Schenkel in reality, whether with Renan you end in naturalism or with Neander in supernaturalism, whether with Channing you come forth a Unitarian or with Hopkins a Trinitarian, the profoundly significant thing is this—that in every case your judgment carries with it a disclosure of your real character and habitual thought. Men’s thoughts about Christ are often less descriptive of his character than of their own.  And it is here in the revelation of man to himself and to his brother that Christ’s gospel shows its predicted power.

In the evening Mr. Chaney preached a sermon appropriate to the close of the year, taking for his subject “A New Departure – Depart from Evil and Do Good.”

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Mon, Dec 29, 1884 – Page 1009 (not a mistake)

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Church of Our Father - Meeting Minutes of Jan 2, 1885 (Build Brick Fence)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Jan 2, 1895
J.R. Hodge’s Office 8 pm
Mr. Snowden was chosen chairman.

Present: Snowden, Gude, Hodge, Norrman, Morely, Lederle and Klingelsmith.

Minutes of the previous meeting read and approved.

Report from Mr. Klingelsmith, Committee on Property of Church.  He had secured a man for janitor who he believed was fully competent to take care of such duties at a price of $8.00 per month, instead of the boy formerly had at $5.00 per month.  His action was approved by the Board.

It was moved that Messrs. Snowden and Norrman be appointed a committee with power to act to arrange for the procure improved lighting facilities in the shape of some kind of chandelier for the church and that $100.00 be appropriated to be at their disposal for such purpose.   Adopted.

Mr. Norrman then suggested plans for building wall fence surrounding the yard in front of the Church porch that same to be built of brick and correspond with the wall of the porch and it was moved and adopted. That Messrs. Snowden and Norrman be requested to put in the brick wall as suggested by Mr. Norrman (1).  This committee was also requested to put up a suitable curtain across the foot of the gallery stairs in the vestibule.

Mr. Gude brought before the Board the question whether they would grant the privilege to a musical gentlemen of the delivering musical lectures in our Church.  The question was discussed as to its propriety both as a precedent and as to the proper use of the Church.

After full discussion, it was moved and adopted that the application be considered and the question held for future discussion.

Adjourned

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

(1) Archivist Note:  Norrman was the architect that designed the Church of Our Father

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 2 Page: 11 – 12
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 of Jan 11, 1885 (Elect Delegate)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Jan 11, 1855
Special meeting of Member of Church of Our Father in Ladies Room. Mr. Gude was called to chair.

Mr. Chaney stated that the business before the meeting was the election of two delegate to the meeting of the Southern Unitarian Conference to be opened at Charleston, S.C., Wednesday the 21st instance and continue three days.

He also urged that as many as possible of the church would attend this conference.

Mrs. Morrill and Mrs. Fisher were then nominated as delegates and were unanimously elected.

Mr. Gude and Mr. Snowden were then elected alternates to the regular delegates

Meeting adjourned

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 25   Folder: 02   Book: 01   Pages: 146
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

 

Review of Every-day Life and Every-day Morals

1 January 2014 at 00:00
The Inter Ocean (Chicago, Illinois) - Sat, Jan 17, 1885 - Page 10

The Inter Ocean (Chicago, Illinois) – Sat, Jan 17, 1885 – Page 10

Every-day Life and Every-day Morals
By George L Chaney. Robert Bros.

This is a series of Sunday evening lectures delivered by the Rev. Mr. Chaney, pastor of the Church of Our Father, Atlanta, Ga. They are plain practical talks upon practical subjects. They are eight in number, under the following heads: “Arts and Morals,” “Juvenile Literature and Morals”,” “Industry and Morals,” “Business and Morals,” “The Stage and Morals,” “The Press and Morals,” “The Pulpit and Morals.” While free from anything like harsh and unjust criticism they are pointed, honest, manly utterances, and without apparent effort eloquent in their simplicity. It is rarely we have seen the subjects treated in the pulpit by methods more likely to persuade and convince young readers. The lecture upon “The Press and Morals” is a keen criticism, and as true a picture as if made by the camera.

The Inter Ocean (Chicago, Illinois) – Sat, Jan 17, 1885 – Page 10

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Summary of Sermon - Rev. Chaney Sermon "Methodism and Unitarianism"

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Mr. Chaney preached to his people on Sunday morning on “How They Planted the Church in Apostolic Times” taking for his text the early chapters of the book of Acts. Be likened Atlanta to Jerusalem in its influence for good or evil, upon the southern country which looked to its example of industry and progress and he enforced the duty of personal fidelity to every good cause in this city, especially to the church. In the evening, he took “Methodism and Unitarianism” for his subject and gave a careful prepared, study of those two Christian bodies, first in the person, of Wesley and Channing, their accepted fathers, and then in their doctrines, their aims, their methods, their results and prospects. Methodism had built up, during the last century, the largest church in America. But Unitarianism had educated more eminent men. The glory of the one was its establishment The glory of the other its persons.

The preacher paid a hearty and discriminative tribute to the Methodist church, admiring the missionary seal, self- sacrifice, devotedness, humanity and energy of its minister, and people. The secret of its success, he thought, was not especially its doctrine as Dr. Borie had claimed ; nor yet wholly its appeal to experience rather than to doctrine as Bishop McTyeire had said, but to the relief it brought to a world given over to sin and Calvinism, in its proclamation of free grace in contradiction of fixed decrees; its free access to the people carrying the church to the people and not waiting for them to come to the church, its push for life as more than creed, its social classification and connectionalism and above all the activity and devotedness of it traveling clergy

Unitarianism was in many respects its reverse, but, not on that account, its opponent and Methodism and Unitarianism were complementary to each other, rather than contradictory. The latter took the doctrine of free grace and extended it into another world. It did not believe that God was merciful this side of death and merciless on the other side.

In its Arminianism Methodism came very close to Unitarian sympathies. But in way and methods there is little similarity. The one is propagandist to a fault. The other has very little spirit of proselytism. Methodism is intense, because concentrated upon one phase of life as all that is needful. Unitarianism broadens the religious sphere till it includes all normal life, and misses intensity because of its breadth. But both are earnest reactions from Calvinism, and in both churches there is the same appeal from ceremonialism to inward piety. Methodism is Anglicanism with a new heart. Unitarianism is Methodism with a new head. Its thought is different, but there is the same generous and saving spirit in both. In the development of the better church of the future each has its appointed part. Let each do It with equal earnestness and mutual love.

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Mon, Feb 2, 1885 – Page 285
Copyright 2013 Newspapers.com. All Rights Reserved.

Church of Our Father - Meeting Minutes of Feb 6, 1885 (Building Improvements)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Feb 6, 1885
Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees.
J.R. Hodge’s Office 8 pm

Mr. Snowden was chosen chairman.

Present: Snowden, Lederle Gude, Hodge, and Klingelsmith.

Mr. Lederle was chosen Chairman.

Minutes of previous meeting read and approved.

The following report was then received from the Committee on Care of the Property.

Your committee begs to report progress as follows (under instructions of Trustees at last meeting).

The doorways leading to the Chapel proper and to the gallery stairway have been curtained; bill for the same is not yet presented.

The brick wall has been completed at a cost of $41.00.

A lightening rod on Prof. Means’ school has been repaired and readjusted at a cost of $1.50.

In regard to lights for the Church, your committee asks for further time and request further conference.

Respectively, W.H. Snowden, Chairman

It was moved and adopted that this Committee be requested to put in the Church either drop lights or so change the present side lights as to serve the purpose to be attained that of increased light.

Adjourned

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Pages: 13 -14
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Summary of Sermon - Rev. Chaney Sermon from Psalm 81:16

1 January 2014 at 00:00
The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) - Mon, Feb 9, 1885 - Page 345

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Mon, Feb 9, 1885 – Page 345

Psalm 81: 16. – “With honey out of the rock should I have satisfied Thee,” was the text of Chaney’s morning sermon. The sweetness that comes from strength and the tenderness that is born of misfortune and sorrow were the subject. It was variously enforced and illustrated from nature, society, history and the experiences of home life. And at the end the seeker of the divine mercy flowing from the rock of the divine justice was earnestly portrayed. In the evening a discourse to young men was given from the text, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his ways.” – Psalms 119.9. After dwelling upon the common conception that the “wherewithal” means money, the preacher showed how many of the best enterprises owed their origin and final success to men who had no money to give.

Study the history of any noble institution, and question the motives and means that built it, and you will find that humanity, the love of truth and learning, piety, a generous rivalry in good deeds, energy and prudence constancy and industry, all the better instincts and powers of man – that is, the wealth which all men may have – had more to do with its establishment than the money donation of its patrons. And fancy the answer to this sober question of the Psalmist, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his ways ?” – -“By making money.” So far from that, abundance of money in youth is often the chief source of youth’s temptations and ruin.

Most of the special temptations of youth may be traced to four conditions as their source, if not their cause: Ignorance, especially ignorance of physiology. The physician has a revelation of God to make to young men of the first importance. Mr. Chaney advised young men to seek such knowledge from them.

Next to ignorance he placed “leisure” and pleaded for a right use of spare time or better such a use of all time as to have no idle leisure. Leisure, as an opportunity to do nothing, is almost always sure to end in doing something wrong. A sense of a divided responsibility is another condition of evil. And in this not only youth but man find a successful trap to catch their conscience. They do things in company which they would scorn to do as individuals acting each on his own responsibility, And lastly, bad company. The only cure for that, is to leave it. You can do it, and you can do the other things that will make for your better manhood. You can learn, obey, keep holy and keep- clean if you will. You can do it by taking heed to the truth you already know or can readily obtain.

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Mon, Feb 9, 1885 – Page 345
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Summary of Sermon - Rev. Chaney Sermon "Rod and Staff of God's Comfort"

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Church of Our Father

Ary Schoeffer's Christ the consoler

Schoeffer Christ the Consoler

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia)  Mon, Feb 16, 1885

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) Mon, Feb 16, 1885

Mr. Chaney preached in the morning on the rod and staff of God’s comfort, showing that His consolations are strong in rebuke as well as tender in support; the rod of His correction laid athwart the stall of His support make the Christian’s cross. Ary Schoeffer‘s picture of Christ the Consoler, was taken to depict the fullness and breadth of Christian consolations. In the evening the subject of “Culture and kindness,” was treated in answer to a recent reproach of Unitarianism that this was all it stood for.

The preacher said that having preached four discourses on the piety of the heart, mind, soul and strength, he had shown what Unitarians believed and taught about our duty to God. He would now take up the second commandment, which Jesus had declared like unto the command to love God, viz: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” He showed how perfectly balanced this command was – not falling into the error of altruism on the one side, or egoism on the other—but stating in one sentence man’s equal duty to himself and to his neighbor. This command was exactly repeated in the charge just made against Unitarianism, that it emphasized culture and kindness. So it does. And it has a higher authority than any of the sects can offer, no less an authority than the head of the church for this emphasis. The best gift any man could make to the world would be his own best self. This was culture. This again could only be obtained through kindness to others. Mr. Chaney showed how naturally from the Unitarian teaching of self-respect and self-care, there had come the most original and fertile literature of America and the most able contributions to history, poetry and philanthropy. Channing‘s prophecy of inherent work in the human nature, which the popular theology had decried, was the inspiration of Emerson’s original thought and fertile writing. And Emerson more than any other American had -opened the mouth of genius wherever it exists in this country. At his feet or by his side were the poets, Longfellow, Lowell, Holmes. Among jurists Story, Hoar and Shaw confess the same honorable extraction. Everett, the Adamses for three generations, Sumner and Daniel Webster were Unitarian. Among historians, Sparks, Bancroft, Tickner, PalfreyParkman were Unitarians. Two of them Unitarian ministers and two the sons of such ministers. After illustrating at further length the grand roll of famous Unitarians, the preacher said that he delighted to match these eminent New England, names with those of the south; – Story with Marshall, Adams with Jefferson, Franklin with Washington, Webster with Calhoun, and it added to his delight to know that these giant minds were dearer to each other in their religious views and dearer to the views of Unitarianism, then they were to the prevailing orthodoxy of their gay.

Webster and Calhoun united in starting the Unitarian church in Washington; and the rivals of the forum bowed their heads together in the same church on Sunday. This was in the noon of their powers, when their minds were clearest and their thoughts most trustworthy.

The preacher closed his discourse by declaring that wherever minds were free and human nature was respected, there the gospel of culture and kindness as the human side of religion would be welcome and dear.

 

Rev. Chaney presents Ralph Waldo Emerson paper to Art Club

1 January 2014 at 00:00
The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) - Sun, Mar 1, 1885 - Page 516

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Sun, Mar 1, 1885 – Page 516

The Art club met last Monday night by invitation at Mrs. W. L. Peel’s on Peachtree street. Despite the absence of a number of those on the regular programme, the meeting was a most exceptionally pleasant one.

Miss Lillie Walker’s recitation, “Little Hugo,” was a charming effort, followed by Prof. Barilli at the piano, who was warmly encored.

Mr. Robert Hayden, of the Philadelphia Press, yielded to the call of the club, giving a most clear, forcible and graphic offhand talk on the land question in Ireland, dwelling upon his personal observations of the operations of the evictive laws in county Conemars, “upon whose rocky shore the sea dashed an hundred feet its spray.”

By request, Mr. Ryan, accompanied by Miss Farrar, favored the club with a song. Judge Kit Warren, of Dougherty county, followed with sketches from his lecture on “The Baby,” carrying the club by storm. His effort certainly deserves to rank with the most humorous of the day.

Mrs. Peel and Mr.Scrutchins, Miss Farrar accompanying, sang a charming duet. The club was on the qui vivi to hear Rev. Mr. Chaney, of the Unitarian church. His paper on Ralph Waldo Emerson, was listened to with close attention, the liveliest interest excited by the quotations with which the paper was interspersed.

Refreshments followed the “tea,” attracting many gentlemen. Professor Barilli responded after the intermission with a delightfully arranged minuet, answering the encores with other attractive compositions – all original.

The next meeting of the club will be held at Mrs. Howell Jackson’s residence.

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Sun, Mar 1, 1885 – Page 516
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Church of Our Father - Meeting Minutes of Mar 6, 1885 (General Discussion)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Mar 6, 1885
Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees.
Present: Snowden, Hodge Lederle, Gude, Norrman, Marley and Klingelsmith.

Mr. Hodge called to Chair.

Minutes of previous meeting read and approved.

A report was then called for from the Committee on the Care of Property.

Mr. Snowden, chairman, reported that they could not report on lights at this meeting as they had not yet reached a decision point, but would make a report at the next meeting.

The time of the meeting was taken up in an informal discussion relative to the general welfare of the Church.

Adjourned

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Page: 15
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Summary of Sermon - Rev. Chaney Sermon "Bible of Jesus"

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Matt. 22:29, “Ye do err, not knowing the Scripture,” was the text of Mr. Chaney’s discourse on the “Bible of Jesus.” It was the aim of the preacher to ascertain by a careful study of the quotations from the Old Testament, attributed to Jesus in the gospels, and by considering what Jesus said about the law and the prophets, what his view of the Scriptures of his day was. No abstract could do justice to the evidence thus brought together or show how strongly it established the preacher’s statement that there is no sign here of any belief in the infallible inspiration or absolute truth of the Hebrew Scriptures. On the contrary there is the express statement that Moses suffered many things because of his people’s hardness of heart and unfitness for anything better. There is also a very elastic method of interpreting and fulfilling prophecy; small heed being paid to its original signification or its literal accomplishment. Whatever our attitude towards the Old Testament should be, it is clear that the position of Jesus was wholly free from rabbinical adoration of its text or a corresponding Christian worship of its letter. What Jesus had and what he constantly shows is a reverent regard for the Hebrew Scriptures a line of thought running parallel with their most spiritual ideas and fulfilling them; a form of expression largely influenced by their models; and an insight into the eternal principles underlying all the changing incidents of their history, which made the story of the past seem like a leaf from the diary of the present and his daily life a fresh rendering of that which was from the foundation of the world.

The evening sermon was from Acts, 26:28 on Agrippa’s words to Paul: “Almost thou persuaded me to be a Christian.” The apparent fulfillment of Messianic prophecies was what almost persuaded Agrippa to be a Christian. But nowadays something nearer to the faith and interest of our times is needed for that object. The Jews might be converted by a proof of Jesus’ messiahship. Both the people who most need converting to Christianity to-day are not Jews but Christians.

Whether we will or not, we all have certain inbred hopes and fears and desires as to death, immortality, duty, God, retribution and future progress, which some form of religion alone can help. Shall it be Christianity! Can that in any of its forms do us this service?

Before answering these questions, Mr. Chaney proceeded to meet and remove some preliminary objections to Christianity, based upon the claims of infallibility and uniform inspiration in its sacred books, and the mistaken doctrines thus derived from them. He also discussed the hasty refusal of men of modern training to examine or trust books which were compromised with miraculous evidences. So long as Plutarch was read with instruction and profit, in spite of such admixture, and Herodotus, ,though frankly telling all sorts of fancies, was accepted is the father of history, there was no sense or justice to disqualifying the Bible as a vehicle of real history on the ground of its miraculous elements. It was not true, that one must believe all that is in the Bible or nothing, on the contrary, once let the methods of separating truth from error, which are in use in the universal history have their way in the Bible, and it would give new power and interest to the Book, and new reality and permanence to its religion.

The discourse closed with an earnest and convincing illustration of the sufficiency of the historic Jesus when separated from the dogmas, ceremonies, commentaries, governments, sects, books, saints, candles, clothes, cathedrals, bishops, priests, deacons, catechisms, standards, creeds and conferences of the church that has succeeded him – the sufficiency of Christ and his word, to take the weariness from life, the chill from death, condemnation from judgment, fixity from the future state, whether it be one of woe or bliss, delay from reformation, and postponement to some other world, from that heaven in progress for which the heart and soul of man cry out: <missing remaining clipping>

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Mon, Mar 9, 1885 – Page 590
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Sermon Summary - Rev. Chaney "Evolution and Religion"

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Church of Our Father—Unitarian.

Mr. Chaney preached in the morning a sermon appropriate to Palm Sunday. In the evening he discoursed on the relations of evolution to religion as they had been recently presented by Mr. Beecher. The texts chosen, rather as mottoes than guides for the sermon, were from Job 17, 14: ‘I have said to the worm, Thou art my mother and my sister;” and Mark 3 35: “Whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother and my sister and my mother.” Man’s spiritual and natural relations were indicated in these two passages. The coming of Mr. Beecher, and his discourse on evolution and religion was the foremost religions event of the times in this city. His clear statement of the much-abused and seldom understood doctrine of Darwinian evolution, and his frank acceptance of it, as the truth regarding man’s physical origin, was worthy of the man. He showed that he had the courage of his conviction, and was ready to stand alone, if need be, in his adoption of an opinion not popular in the churches, and often misrepresented as hostile to religion. Mr. Chaney took up the several divisions of the lecturer’s argument, and gave a running commentary upon them. He vindicated Beecher from the charge of loosely accepting the extremist views that go by the name of evolution, showing that be carefully separated himself from all the atheistic and agnostic schools. In modifying his view of the inspiration of the Bible to suit its repeated discrepancies with modern science, he only did what all prudent scholars in the church are fast doing for them. That difficulty removed, he took up the great essential verities of religion—God, man, design, providence, miracles, prayer, sin and immortality – and by a rare combination of spiritual and commonsense, lifted them all over the bar of popular prejudiced objects to evolution and left them to free to go upon their saving way.

Though asserting bravely at the very outset that evolution would work revolution in traditional Christianity and long current theology, Mr. Beecher did not full show in his own teaching a very new opinion or striking reform. The novelty was more in his illustration than in the doctrine.  In this he failed to push his accepted theory of creation to all its consequences and implication and missed much of its finest service.  Mr. Chaney showed what he meant by this criticism by explaining the new view of sin, as the survivor in man of passions belonging to hit lower ancestors – which elevation punished sin, he said, in the survival of the un-fittest. Other reforms in opinion equally radical and helpful were wrought out by the theory of evolution. Religion, then, in his opinion, had more to gain than lose in the establishment of this scientific doctrine, and certainly was not justified in opposing any probable truth, as it any truth could injure its cause.

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Mon, Mar 30, 1885 –  Page 758

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Summary of Sermon - Rev. Chaney Sermon based on Mark 15:31

1 January 2014 at 00:00
The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) - Mon, Apr 13, 1885  Page 7

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Mon, Apr 13, 1885 Page 7

Last evening at the Church of our Father, Dr. Chaney gave a discourse from Mark 15:31 . “He saved others, himself he cannot save.” What the mockers of Christ said to his shame, Hit followers repeat as his noblest praise. Those mocking scribes spoke more wisely than they knew. He did save others. He could not save himself i.e., he could not give his mind or heart to self-preservation. His thought was for others. From the life and practice of Jesus we may -get a better clue to the meaning of a true salvation than from the men’s report and resetting of His doctrine. It is the life filled with saving work for others; not the life spent in weary efforts to save itself. “He that saveth his life shall lose it.” The example of broad sympathy and free, large minded nurture which Jesus gave to men, was soon lost sight of in the critical emergencies in which the early church found itself. And Christendom to day gets its customary expression from the perils and sorrows of its childhood. As a result we find the grandest causes advocated in the narrowest spirits, temperance intemperately defined and urged; moral reform prudishly pursued; abuses of popular amusements long-facedly rebuked; and sins of frivolity just as frivolously objected to.

The preacher then drew a striking contrast between the self-forgetful spirit and the practice of Jesus and the self- seeking methods of the modern church. While fully realizing the peculiar spiritual deeds of men, especially in their transition from youth to maturity and from maturity to old age, he rebuked the preaching which sought to magnify their fears and increase the excitement of those excitable periods. “I would that men should come of age in the church,” he said, “as they come to maturity elsewhere and only by a deepening of the voice, make known their spiritual stature.”

Oh, that we might have a revival of conscience. The revivals now visible and active seem rather to have come from concert; men struggling together to see how many people they can bring into their several fold. Not what we all know together; our conscience, but what we all think we know separately; that is the basis of this religious agitation.

A revival of conscience; that is the great want of the time. Men, like Zacchaeus waking up with the resolution to restore threefold all they have gained by falsehood! Men refusing to recite or sing in concert what they do not believe apart! Men intending to do what they say they will, and doing it when they say they will. Men who find their joy in ministering, not in being ministered unto! Men who are too intent on saving others to think much of saving themselves!

To promote such a revival as this the church will labor. It will never be crowded, for men are always more anxious to be saved in their sins than from their sins. We have no salvation for such. But what one man can do for another, God helping him, in the worship of God; the promotion of virtue and the recovery of the spirit and life of Christ –that we will try to do for those who come to us.

Mr. Chaney closed his discourse with an illustration of the love and loyalty for Jesus which distinguished the Unitarian church likening it to the love of Cordelia in King Lear, a love too deep for extravagant protestation; a love which would live and die for its Lord, whether it could speak much about him or not.

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Mon, Apr 13, 1885 Page 7
Copyright © 2013 Newspapers.com. All Rights Reserved.

Eyewitness Report on the Artisans Institute

1 January 2014 at 00:00

TRAINING THE HAND.
AN INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL IN FULL BLAST IN ATLANTA.

What a Constitution Man Found on the Second Floor of a Marietta Street Building –

Twenty-Five Boys and Young Men Perfecting Themselves in the Use of Tools, Etc.

“Come out to see me to-night,” said Mr. Frank Lederle to a Constitution Man, Friday.
“I hunt news o’nights,” said the scribe.
“That’s why I want you to come out,” was the reply. “You’ll see something worth writing about.”
“I muff your meaning,” said the scribe.
“Well, here’s what you do,” said Mr. Lederle.
“You come out Marietta street to the saw works building, turn down the side street, pass two doors enter the third, go up one flight of steps, and I’ll show you the only industrial school in the southern states!”
“What?”
“Yes!”
“Do you mean to tell me that there is an industrial school in this place?”
“I do. We have the pioneer.”
“You’ve been very quiet about it. How did it originate?”
“Five big hearted men put up the money and started the school.”

A GRAND SPECTACLE.

At eight o’clock Friday night The Constitution man, who received the invitation noted above, stepped off a car at the place indicated. The saw works building was dark on the first floor, except in the engine roam, where, by a modest coal oil lamp, lighted the way for the grim looking engineer, who ever and anon shoveled coal into the firebox. A big fly wheel revolved with steady strokes and the band flapped and crackled as It disappeared in the darkness. From overhead came a low, buzzing sound as of many wheels in motion. The reporter ascended a flight of stairs, passed through a door and stood in a room that was a perfect blaze of light – a wonderful contrast to the dark and deserted quarters below. The room was about thirty feet by forty. It was packed with machinery and twenty-five men and boys had their coats off and were working like beavers..

Clatter; clatter went the shafting. Bz-z z-z z z went the lathes.

A steady snoring sound and a bright bed of fire beside which stood two perspiring boys, betrayed the locality of the forge. Several boys were industriously filing cast iron tubes. Another was drawing at a draftman’s table. Still others were cutting screws at iron lathes. Three older gentlemen were passing to and fro among the workers, showing first one how to hold a file, then the other how to do something else, another how to draw and so on. A busier shop, a brighter place or a more earnest crowd of workers was never seen.

Beside a youth stood Mr. Lederle giving instructions in drawing. The boy was patiently applying himself to making a picture of a circular saw. “Come here,” said Mr. Lederle, motioning to the reporter as he entered. The news-ite walked over. The boy proceeded with his drawing with the precision of a mature man. The reporter asked him his name.

“My name is Emile Ranschenberg!” was the reply.

“Tell me something about yourself and your ideas in coming to this school?”

“I am sixteen years old,” said the boy. “My father is a pattern maker and I have served three years at that trade. When this school was organized six weeks ago I came here and I have missed only one night. I am now going to school in the day time and attending this school at night. I am devoting my attention almost exclusively to drawing.'”

“Do you find any benefit?”

“A very decided benefit, so much so that I will stick to the school as long as it lasts ores long as the teachers can teach me anything.”

TALKING WITH AN APPRENTICE.

The CONSTITUTION man dropped into conversation with Elbert S. Broadus, a very earnest looking young man! who was running a lathe and cutting threads on a screw. Said he:

“I have been working at Winship’s for fourteen months and am learning the machinist trade. I have nearly four years yet to serve. I have been attending this school ever since it started, and intend to stick it out. It takes a good machinist to get good pay and I want to pick up all the knowledge of the business that I can get.”

“What does a good machinist get?”

“They get from a dollar and a half to three dollars a day. The better the machinist the higher the pay. A poor machinist gets only a dollar and a half a day, and I’m sorry to say the good ones are in the minority.”

“What does an apprentice get?”

“The first year fifty cents a day. The six months following they get seventy five cents a day and the third year they get a dollar a day. I’ve done some very hard work as an apprentice, but I don’t regret it,’

SOME INTERESTING CASES.

“It takes pluck to do this,” said Mr. Lederle, pointing to the busy crowd in the schoolroom. “Most of these young men work hard all day. Three nights in the week they come here and work two hours – from seven to nine. This is work to them. There is no novelty in it. You see a young man there filling a block of cast iron down to a perfect cube. He is training his hand in the use of the file. It is not new to him. It is very monotonous. It takes a man who is very much in earnest to stick it out and come here where a bed and sleep would be so much pleasanter. There is a little boy here who carries THE CONSTITUTION every morning at four o’clock, goes to school all day and works here at night. He brings water and sweeps out the room to pay his way. Is there a business man who would not be glad to have a boy of such pluck? There are two young men who come in from Edgewood, and another who comes in from Grant park. We have pupils from most of the shops in the city. All are working boys except three or four, who go to school.”

“What do you teach the boys?”

“They are taught the use of tools. Mr. H. T. Roffe, superintendent of the Georgia machinery company, is principal of the school. He teaches the use of the machinists’ tools, lathe work, vise work and general setting up. Mr. William Ott teaches pattern making and general carpentering and wood turning. I teach drawing. The school is intended merely as a move in the right direction, and as a nucleus for a great technical school. We call it the artisan’s institute, and hope, in time, it may grow into something great and more useful than at present.”

HOW IT WAS ORGANIZED

“How did the institution get started?”

“Dr. Chaney has a great fancy for this sort of education. He was president of the institution in Boston that started the schools there. He conversed with Mr. Elias Haiman on the subject, and at last it was known that Mr. Roffe could conduct the school. A meeting was called and Messrs. S. M. Inman, W. C. Morrill, W. A. Moore, F. P. Rice and J. W. English gave $1,000 to be spent in buying the tools. The teachers agreed to work three months free. We fitted up the place here as you see it. The first night there were 23 applicants and that was nearly as many as we could attend to. The boys pay a dollar a month each which about pays for rent, power and gas,”

“What about the future?”

“The experiment is a success and I have no doubt there will be means provided for continuing the school. The boys hang on well and there are many on the outside anxious to get in.”

WHO THE PRINCIPAL IS.

The principal of the school, Mr. H. T. Roffe, is one of the finest machinists in this country. He served a regular apprenticeship in England and attended a course at a technical school. He sees the great need for practical education for boys learning trades and has his heart in this work. Said he:

“In England an apprentice has to serve a term. Here he picks up what he can and quits when he pleases, consequently nobody teaches him anything. Boys should be taught many little things that are necessary to make them skilled mechanics. How to file even, how to hold a file and a thousand other little things that make them perfect are never taught in this country nowadays. This school is intended to help boys to perfect themselves while serving their trades and prepare boys for entrance into the higher schools.

The institution certainly deserves the hearty support and encouragement of every Georgian. No man who sees the earnest workers who attend the school can doubt that it fills a long felt want.

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Sun, Apr 19, 1885 – Page 9
Copyright  2013 Newspapers.com. All Rights Reserved.

Sermon Summary - Rev. Chaney Church of our Father One Year Anniversary

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Mr. Chaney preached an anniversary sermon yesterday, it being just a year since his church was dedicated. The text was Matt. v 43, “He commanded that something be given her to eat,” “Life is the gift of God,” he said, “but it is the ward of man.” The sole command of Jesus to the household of Jairus on the restoration of his daughter was that something be given her to eat. This is a striking presentation of the truth that the life which is given by God most be fed and sustained by the ministry of man. The purpose of the discourse was to apply this truth to spiritual life, and show how necessary it was after the soul of man had been turned from self-seeking to seeking God, that it shall be fed with a true worship, sincere prayer, humane deeds and an active Christian life.

Everybody in the congregation, he said, had known what it was, either momently or habitually, to turn from a life of selfishness to one of love. At first the life of selfishness was every man’s necessity. It was the safeguard of his infancy. But, by and by, he come to a time when he caught sight of the glory and sweetness of living for others and honoring the power that made it in its likeness. This was what was called the second birth. It lay at the foundation of all true religion. But this once gained, the equally important matter of feeding this new life remained. For this end the church existed. It offered Worship, charitable labor and religious friendship, and these were the meat and drink of the awakened soul.

The preacher then described the aims and methods of his church, and showed how helpfully interested in its work the Unitarian church at large had been.

There was all the charm of infancy in its young life. Its strength was a constant surprise and its weakness was never the weakness of old age, the premonition of decay, but spoke of a young child that was finding its feet.

The Unitarian church of New England had done a now-recognised service to Christianity, in tempering the heat and terrors of Calvinism. The same service needed doing in other sections of our common country. The Methodist preacher, Father Taylor, had said to his brethren: “If you send Emerson to hell, he will change the climate there.” Precisely that has been done in the orthodoxy of the north by the presence of Unitarianism there. It will do no harm but good, if the same service can be repeated elsewhere.

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Mon, Apr 27, 1885 – Page 7
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Church of Our Father - Meeting Minutes May 15, 1885 (Building & Rent to Prof. Means)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. May 15, 1885
Special meeting of the Board of Trustees.
Present: Messrs. Snowden, Hodge, Morely, and Klingelsmith. Mr. Chaney was also present.

Mr. Snowden was chosen Chairman.

Minutes of previous meeting read and approved.

A general discussion relative to Church lights was had and it was concluded to ask Mr. Chaney while in Boston the next week to investigate Church lights.

It was agreed to have an appropriate sign in front of the Church containing “Church of Our Father.”

The question of ventilation for the choir gallery was discussed and the Committee on Care of Property was asked to ascertain the best method and to act upon such knowledge and have work done immediately.

A resolution was adopted authorizing Mr. Hodge to offer Prof. Means the School building another year at $55.00 per month.

Mr. Chaney brought up the question of the subscription book and church subscriptions and after discussion it was resolved that suitable cards be prepared by Miss Hodge and Snowden and to habitual worshippers of the Church asking them to fill out the blanks of same with the amount they desire to contribute to the support of the Church for the year and return them to the Treasurer.

Adjourned

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Pages: 15 – 16
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Summary of Sermon - Rev. Chaney Sermon "A 19th Century Religion"

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Church Of Our Father

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia)  Mon, May 18, 1885

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) Mon, May 18, 1885

Mr. Chaney preached last night on “A 19th Century Religion.” His text was John (newspaper noted Job) 12:24 “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die it abideth alone.” Every seed must die to live. Germinal Christianity is no exception. Everything, pure religion included must have a local fitness, in order to catch and hold in this world. Christianity had this time and place element in it in virtue of which it sailed the Mediterranean coast region or part of them in the eighth century, from the foundation of Rome. To get this hearing and acceptance in these regions at that time, it must and have dreamed the people in their language according to their habitual form of thought. It did so, and the result is that method of proof quite common and convincing to Jews of that time, quotation from Scripture and interpretations perfectly suited to their mental habits, arguments that had their point in peculiarities of the particular hearers, etc., were common. The Bible is full of such adaptations of the word to the times. Church history is even more illustrative of the same process. This shows us that there Is a transient and a permanent element in traditional Christianity and the need of to-day is a rendering of the essentially religion contained in Christianity in forms adapted to the 19th century.

Mr. Chaney then described some of the marked features of this century and what it would expect of the religion which it accepted.

(1) If there is any principle of which the age is convicted it is unity in the supreme power of the universe. Science attests it in all lands, in its correlation of forces; its discovery of protoplasm, etc.

(2) The God this century worships must be a great God – no magnified Judean king or common, human-natural being.

(3) Christianity must be seen to be the revelation of that which has been from the beginning; no interruption of nature, but the purest piece of nature ever seen.

(4) The universality and impartiality of the deity must be seen.

What is needed, therefore, is a religious creed or system of worship and training which shall reflect these deep convictions of the age. A religion which shall be true to the charity, variety, grandeur, progress and universality of God and nature. Earnest and able men in all the churches and out of all the churches are striving for this new statement of religion. “It is because I believe,” said the preacher, “that the church I represent has some peculiar advantage for securing this statement and order that I advocate its claims.” He then quoted several candid and interesting estimates of the Unitarian teachings which had come to him from various parts of Georgia and the south; and made them the evidence of  what he had been saying. He closed by urging all who were virtually at one with him to throw the courage of their conviction and the constancy of their avowal into the scale with him and help make Atlanta the Antioch of the south, the center of a rational, moral and spiritual faith; a religion ‘which maketh not ashamed ; a Christianity released from the shell of its Judean birth and become that branching tree, in which, as Jesus had said, all the birds of the air may find shelter and rest.

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) Mon, May 18, 1885

Church of Our Father - Meeting Minutes Sep 26, 1885 (General Business)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Sept 26, 1885
Meeting of the Board of Trustees at Mr. Hodge’s office.

Present: Gude, Lederle, Morely, Norrman, Hodge and Klingelsmith.

Mr. Lederle was chosen Chairman.

Reading of minutes of previous meeting dispensed with.

The committee appointed at a previous meeting to prepare a suitable circular to send parties supposed to be interested in the church asking their material support was requested to await such action until later, as it was thought best by the committee.

It was decided not to paint the church at present, but hope to in November; as the available funds are not yet in and it was the sentiment of the Board that the pastor, Mr. Chaney, should have the amount agreed upon paid to him first before any other expenditures.

Mr. Klingelsmith reported the employment of the janitor for the winter at $8.00 per month the same being acceptable to the Board.

After the informal discussion of other matters pertaining to the welfare of the Church, the Board adjourned.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Page: 18
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Artisan Institute Starting Second Session - 1885

1 January 2014 at 00:00
The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) · Wed, Oct 7, 1885 · Page 56

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) · Wed, Oct 7, 1885 · Page 56

The Artisans’ institute began its second session on Monday evening, in its new rooms on Wall street, in rear of Centennial building with a gratifying attendance of new and oldstudents. As the school can only accommodate forty scholars at one time, youngmen desiring to share its advantages must apply at once. The same teachers who made the school so useful last year will be in charge of it this year. Mechanical drawing, as well as the use of wood working and iron workingtools, will be taught. Such schools as this offer the surest means of increasing and improving the useful industries of Atlanta.  If, in addition to these evening classes, an arrangement could be made which would give to promising pupils in our public schools an opportunity to use the apparatus of the Artisans’ institute on certain afternoons of the week, we should confer an inestimable benefit upon our youth and the productive industries which we wish to encourage. The teachers and supporters of the institute are glad to receive any friends of the movement in their rooms on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings from 7 to 9 o’clock.

 

 

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) · Wed, Oct 7, 1885 · Page 56
Copyright © 2013 Newspapers.com. All Rights Reserved.

Church of Our Father - Meeting Minutes of Nov 9, 1885 (Annual Meeting)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Nov 9, 1885
Annual meeting of Church of Our Father
Members present: Mesdames Center, Fisher, Klingelsmith, Lederle, Winslow, Hodge, Dixon, Powers, Gude and Chaney.
Messrs. Chaney, Hodge, Dixon, Burris, Norrman, Winslow, Fisher and Klingelsmith.

Reading of the minutes and reports of last meeting was dispensed with.

Mr. Burris was called to the chair.

The report of the Treasurer was then called and accepted with thanks, but the resignation contained in it of Treasurer Hodge was not received or accepted. Said report is filled and marked “Treasurer’s Report Nov. 9, 1885” and is part of these minutes.

The Secretary’s report was then called for and read and ordered received and accepted. The same is filed and marked “Secretary’s Report Nov 9, 1885.”

Rev. Mr. Chaney then asked leave to make a report, which was received with a vote of thanks as establishing a valuable precedent. Said report is filed and marked “Rev. Rev. G.L. Chaney Report Nov. 9, 1885.”

The next in order was the election of officers for the coming year.

A motion was made and carried to increase the Standing Committee by one.

A motion was made and carried to appoint a committee of three to report nominations and the chair appointed Messrs. Dixon, Norrman and Fisher.

This committee reported the following:

That the Treasurer and Secretary be elected as their own successor for the coming year.

Mr. Dixon to be the new member on the board and Mr. Winslow to fill the vacancy occasioned by the expiration of the term of Mr. Lederle.

It was voted to give the Committee on (nomination) power to cast the ballot of the church and it resulted in the election of those nominated.

It was moved that the chair appoint a committee to draft suitable resolutions and send same to the Rev. Cole Davis Bradley who presented our church with a very elegant communion set, the same being received with gratitude and admiration. The committee appointed consisted of Rev. G.L. Chaney and Mr. Gude.

It was moved that the Auditing Committee of last year be retained to audit the accounts of the Treasurer.

Adjourned

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 25   Folder: 02   Book: 01   Pages: 147 – 149
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 of Dec 18, 1885 (Re-Organize Committees)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Dec 18, 1885
Meeting of the Board of Trustees in the Ladies Room of the Church 7:30 pm.
Present: Rev. Chaney, Messrs. Dixon, Morley, Winslow, Hodge, Snowden, Norrman, and Klingelsmith.

Mr. Morely was chosen Chairman.

Minutes of previous meeting read and approved.

A lengthy and thorough discussion of the advisability of sending our subscription cards to members and worshippers of the Church was indulged in, but no plan was brought before the board in the way of a motion, and it was laid on the table for consideration at the next meeting.

It was moved and adopted that the Board Committees be reorganized.

The Chairman named the following as such committees, for consideration of the Board, and they approving the same, they were duly formed as named.

  • On Care of Property, Messrs. Norrman and Gude.
  • Operation of Church, Messrs. Morely and Klingelsmith.
  • Music Messrs. Winslow and Hodge.
  • Ways and Means, Hodge and Dixon.

The Treasurer, Mr. Hodge, reported that all the obligations of the Church were paid, including Rev. Mr. Chaney’s salary allotment of $1,000.00, and that the interest on the loan was provided for, leaving a balance in the hands of the Treasurer of $211.00.

The Treasurer also stated that the proper committee be allowed to make some improvements needed about the Church.

It was agreed that the meetings of the Board be hereafter held in the Ladies Room of the Church.

Adjourned

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Pages: 19 – 20
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 Feb 5, 1886 (Music Discussion)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Feb 5, 1886
Meeting of the Board of Trustees at Mr. Hodge’s office at 7:30 pm.
Present: Messrs. Hodge, Lederle, Moreley, Winslow and Klingelsmith.

Mr. Hodge was chosen Chairman.

Minutes of previous meeting read and accepted.

Mr. Klingelsmith of the Committee on Operation of the Church reported the satisfactory repairing of the furnace and chimney at an expense of $2.50.

Committee of Music asked for instructions as to procuring a soprano for the choir, and it was moved and adopted that the Committee on Music be authorized to expend not to exceed 45.00 per Sunday for choir assistance, as occasion may require.

Moved and adopted that it is the sense of the Board not to hold evening services during the month of February on account of not having any choir for evening service.

Adjourned

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

 

 

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Page: 21
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 Jun 1, 1886 (Church Maintainence)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Jun 1, 1886 8pm
Meeting of the Board of Trustees in the Ladies Room of the Church.
Present: Messrs. Hodge, Gude, Dixon, Norrman, Winslow, Klingelsmith and Mr. Chaney

Mr. Hodge was chosen Chairman.

Minutes of previous meeting were read and approved.

Upon report from the Treasurer it was moved and adopted that we renew the lease of the school building for another year at $55.00 per month to Prof. Means.

It was moved and adopted that the action of the Committee on Operation of the Church in procuring a carpet for the ladies room be approved.

As there was no money in the Treasurer’s hands to meet the bill, a special committee was appointed to raise the amount; which amount was immediately raised and the bill paid.

Adjourned.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

 

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Page: 24
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 Jul 18, 1886 (Delegates to Conference)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Jul 18, 1886
Meeting of the members of the Church of Our Father at the church.

Rev. Mr. Chaney called the meeting to order and stated that the object of the meeting was to lay before them the invitation to the pastor and two lay delegates from the National Conference of Unitarian and other Christian Churches to the Twelfth Biennial meeting held at Saratoga, NY, Sept. 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th, 1886.

Mr. Chaney asked for nominations for delegates to the convention and suggested that those be nominated who expected to (be) present at the convention.

Mrs. W.C. Morrill and Miss E.E. Cooledge were nominated as delegates and Mrs. Swift and Mrs. G.L. Norrman as alternates and they were unanimously elected.

There being no other business before the meeting, it adjourned.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 25   Folder: 02   Book: 01   Pages: 150
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 Jul 24, 1886 (Rev. Browne to Preach)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Jul 24, 1886
Meeting of the Board of Trustees in the Ladies Room of the Church.
Present: Mr. Gude, chairman, Messrs. Winslow, Norrman, Klingelsmith and Mr. Chaney

Mr. Chaney state that the object of this meeting was to lay before the Board the proposition of inviting the Rev. E.C.L. Browne of Charleston, SC to occupy his pulpit during the month of September. Mr. Chaney said it was much against his wishes that the Church should be closed entirely for two months and as Mr. Browne could make it convenient to preach for us during Sept.

He urged that we authorize him to invite him and make such arrangements regarding compensation and other matters with him as he thought best.

The board concurring on Mr. Chaney’s views, Mr. Browne’s kind offer to conduct our services during the month of September was gratefully acknowledged and accepted and Mr. Chaney received hearty thanks of the Board for bringing about the much-desired September church services.

After authorizing Mr. Chaney to secure a space for our church in a new church chart, the board adjourned.

Adjourned.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 01 Page: 25
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Unitarian Conference Opening Session - 1886

1 January 2014 at 00:00
The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) · Fri, Sep 24, 1886 · Page 1

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) · Fri, Sep 24, 1886 · Page 1

Papers Read Before the Conference at Saratoga.

Saratoga, N. Y.. September 23.—The opening session of the Unitarian conference this morning was devoted to general remarks. The anti-saloon and a white cross movements were commended. A resolution was offered requesting congress to obtain material statistics in regard to marriage and divorce, which was referred to the business committee. The following officers were elected:

President, Samuel F. Miller of Washington; vice-presidents John D. Long, Higham, Mass.; George McCaray, Dallas City; Dorman B. Eaton, New York. Daniel L. Sharey, Chicago; Horace Davis, San Francisco, and George E. Adams, Chicago. Secretary, Russell N. Bellows, New York, and treasurer, William Howell Read, Boston. William B.

Weeden, of Providence, read a paper on,”Arbitration and its Relation to Strikes.” He severely arraigned the Knights of Labor for the tactics put in force by their organization.

Carroll D. Wright, of Boston, read a paper on “The present actual condition of the-workingman.”

The afternoon session was devoted to the discussion of the subject, “The use and abuse of alcohol and tobacco.”

Judge Robert C. Pitman read a paper on “The attitude of the church toward the dramshops.”

Dr. Francis Minat, of Boston, read a paper on “The effect of alcoholic beverages on health.’

The evening session was devoted to three essays on the general subject of “Religious Education.” Rev. Joseph May, of Philadelphia,  read a paper on “The Influences of Home.” Rev. Brook Herrford, of Boston, contributed an essay on “The Church,” and Rev. Seth C. Beach, of Dedham, Mass., one on The Sunday school.

Note: This conference was attended by the Rev. G.L. Chaney, pastor The Church of our Father, Atlanta, GA

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) · Fri, Sep 24, 1886 · Page 1
Copyright © 2013 Newspapers.com. All Rights Reserved.

Church of Our Father - Meeting Minutes Oct 22, 1886 (Church Maintenance)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Oct 22, 1886
Meeting of the Board of Trustees in the Ladies Room of the Church at 8 pm.
Members present: Morley, Chair, Norrman, Winslow, Hodge, Klingelsmith and Mr. Chaney

It was moved and adopted that the Committee on the Care of Property be authorized to expend in the repainting of the woodwork and such other repairs as were necessary, a sum not to exceed $40.00.

The same committee was also authorized the cost of excavating so much of the cellar as would enable them to move the furnace back to the center of the church, and report cost of excavating and removal of furnace at the next meeting

Adjourned.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

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

Summary of Sermon - Rev. Chaney Sermon "It is good to be zealously affected is a good cause at all times"

1 January 2014 at 00:00

At the Church of Our Father

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) Mon, Oct 25, 1886  Page 4

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) Mon, Oct 25, 1886 Page 4

“It is good to be zealously affected is a good cause at all times,” was Dr. Chaney’s text yesterday. He preached a sermon on living zeal, showing how often it was suffered to depend on personal influence or some other extraneous cause. Paul wanted no galvanized Christians, men who only moved as he moved them; men who fell back on ceremonialism, the moment he turned his back. “Foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you?” he wrote, knowing that the secret of their faith was in some magnetizing personality. They were a prey to the lost prophet.

The preacher then illustrated the distinction between proselytes and converts. Converts are inwardly convicted and regenerated. Proselytes are charmed by some personal trait in their leader and overawed by his domineering will, or subjected to his authoritative self confidence, or fairly cowed by his supposed commission from on high.

The Galatian church, when Paul wrote seems to have had more proselytes than converts in it. The Galatians were gentiles by birth, had Judaized by contact with Jewish proselyters. Paul had come upon them with the gospel of grace like the sun upon the darkness of night, or rather upon the dimness of early morning. So long as Paul was present with them, the persuasion to creep back under the cover of the darkness and sleep again the fascinating morning nap, could not prevail over his stirring call, “Let us who are of the day, awake!”

The only safeguard against running down is running up. When progress ends, decline begins. Men catch the thought of a spiritual religion in which free devotion to the one sole good is more. than all sacrifices or offerings, and just as they are getting acclimated, as it were, to the higher air, gravitation proves too much for them, and they stagger earthward like as stricken kite.

After showing the various ways in which men lapse, (1) on account of mere proselytism towards a prophet rather than conversion to his spirit and life, (2) by law of return to primitive type unless maintained by watchful cultivation, and (3) by reaction from over-zeal running into fanatical enthusiasm, the preacher said that the tenor of the text was this: “A good thing is always worth good championship.” Once convinced of the worth of our cause, we must not depend on Paul or apostles to keep us hearty and active in the defense.  More and more, we are to value principles above their prophets; vote for measure rather than men: live for ideas and not for teasing and disappointing persons and those devoted to things that endure. We are to work for them with a zeal proportioned to their intrinsic value.

Church of Our Father - Meeting Minutes Nov 15, 1886 (Fourth Annual Meeting)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Nov 15, 1886
Fourth Annual Meeting of the member of the Church of Our Father in the Ladies Room of the church.
Members Present: Mesdames Morrill, Powers, Fisher, Winslow, Klingelsmith and Van Pelt and Miss Cooledge and Miss Center.Messrs. Burns (chairman), Dixon, Norrman, Winslow, Fisher, Hodge, Gude, Van Pelt, Morely, Klingelsmith and Rev. Mr. Chaney.

Minutes of the last annual meeting read and approved.

The Treasurer then read his annual report, which will be found on file and marked, “Treasurer’s Report, Nov. 15, 1886.”

The Treasurer’s report was accepted and approved and Mr. Hodge’s resignation as Treasurer of the church accepted with a vote of thanks for his efficiency and faithfulness as such officer for the past three years.

The Board of Trustees report through their Secretary was then read and accepted and will be found on file and marked, “Board of Trustees Report, Nov. 15, 1886.”

Mr. Chaney then read his annual report, which was received with pleasure and a vote of thanks.

The chair then appointed the following committee to draft and transmit suitable resolutions to the parties named in Mr. Chaney’s report for the their and kind gifts – Messrs. Chaney, Gude and Klingelsmith.

A resolution was also adopted providing for an advisory committee of four ladies to serve for one year.

The electing of officers and members of the Board and the advisory committee and the two librarians being now in order, a nomination committee was appointed by the chair as follows: Miss Cooledge, Mr. Norrman, and Mr. Klingelsmith. This committee after retiring presented the following nominations:

  • Treasurer – Mr. Winslow
  • Clerk – Mr. Klingelsmith
  • New Members of the Board – Messrs. Fisher, Burns and Harding
  • For Members of the Ladies Auxiliary Committee – Mesdames Chaney, Lowe, Swift and Morrill
  • Librarians – Mrs. Klingelsmith and Mrs. E.P. Burris

As Mr. Winslow could not accept the Treasureship, Mr. Norrman was put on the ticket for that office. The chair of the nominating committee being instructed to cast the ballot, the foregoing was elected to the positions named.

There being no other business, the meeting adjourned.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 02   Book: 01   Pages: 151 – 153
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 Nov 26, 1886 (Reorganized Committees)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Nov 26, 1886

Meeting of the Board of Trustees in the Ladies Room of the Church.

Members present: Morley, Fisher, Norrman, Harding, Klingelsmith and Rev. Mr. Chaney.

Minutes of last meeting read and approved.

Mr. Norrman, reporting for the Committee on Care of Property, reported that the furnace had been removed from where it was formerly located, at the extreme end of the basement, under the pulpit, to the center of the church. He could not report, however, the cost of the change as no bill had yet been received.

He reported also that his fellow members of his committee, Mr. Gude, would look after the repainting of the church and promised to have it done within a week.

The reorganization of the Standing Committee being next in order, it was moved and adopted that each committee be composed of two members. The Chair appointed the following as members of the Standing Committee for the ensuring year:

  • On Care of Property – Mr. Gude and Mr. Harding
  • Ways and Means – Mr. Norrman and Mr. Dixon.
  • Music – Mr. Fisher and Mr. (Archivist: could not transcribe)
  • Operation of the Church – Klingelsmith and Winslow

Adjourned.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Pages: 27 – 28
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 Jan 8, 1887Β (Offer ofΒ Musical Performance)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Jan 8, 1887

Meeting of the Board of Trustees in the Ladies Room of the Church.
Members present: Messrs. Burns, Harding, Winslow, Norrman, Klingelsmith and Rev. Mr. Chaney.

Mr. Burns was chosen Chairman.

Minutes of last meeting read and approved.

Mr. Norrman reported for the Committee on Care of Property the cost of painting the church at $41.00 and the removal of the furnace and changes connected with it at $15.00 and the same was unanimously approved by the Board.

The same committee was instructed to proceed to darken the windows on each side of the pulpit by nailing on the outside of each window frame heavy oiled canvass.

Mr. Chaney reported to the Board an offer from Prof. Barili (See Archivist Note Below) to give a concert in our church upon some mutual basis agreeable to us. A motion was made and adopted requesting Mr. Chaney to tender to Mr. Barilla the sincere thanks of the Board for his generous offer, the giving of a concert in our Chapel by the Polymnia Club for our mutual benefit; and to accept the offer and make any arrangements in regard to it congenial to the wishes of Prof. Barilla and himself.

Adjourned.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Pages: 29 – 30
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Archivist Note: Base on a May 2, 1888 newspaper article in the Atlanta paper, “The Polymnia is composed of sixty-three ladies, every one of whom is a trained singer.” For a performance conducted by Mr. Alfred O. Barili at the DeGive’s opera house, “Forty gentlemen will sing with the Polymnia in the choruses.”

Church of Our Father - Meeting Minutes Mar 17, 1887 (Parlor and Lectures Fund Raisers)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Mar 17, 1887
Met in Pastor’s room at 8 pm.
Present: Messrs. Burns, Morley, Harding, Fisher, Winslow and Rev. Mr. Chaney.

Mr. Fisher moved that the regular meetings of the Trustees be held on the first Friday of each alternate month beginning with January of each year. Passed.

Mr. Harding reported from the Committee on Church Property that repairs had been made on the gate, the front door, the windows and the gon-pipe (Archivist: Unsure of this last item. Transcribed as it appeared in written record).

Mr. Chaney reported for the Treasure (who was absent) that there was fifty dollars in the treasury and that the church would be owing three and fifty dollars (interest mainly to the American Unitarian Association) on April 1st. And the income from rent collection confirm(s) that data would not be sufficient to meet their indebtedness.

Mr. Chaney offered to give a course of lectures on American Authors and Poets, the proceeds of which lectures should go into the church treasury.

This offer was accepted and Messrs. Harding, Fisher and Winslow were appointed a committee to cooperate with Mr. Chaney in carrying out this plan.

It was also stated that the ladies of the church were arranging for a Parlor Sale the proceeds of which would be given to the church for current expenses.

The meeting then adjourned.

<signed>
G.L. Chaney, Sec pro Tem.

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Pages 30 – 31
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Archivist Note: In the Atlanta papers large ads appeared on of a Parlor Sale by the Ladies of the Church of Our Father. A notice appeared on Apr 1 announcing lectures by Rev. Chaney. The first lecture was on “Longfellow and his Cambridge Friends” was delivered on Aug 12, 1887. A second lecture was scheduled to be delivered on April 7th on “Hawthorne and Old Salem.”

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia)  Fri, Apr 1, 1887 · Page 8

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia)
Fri, Apr 1, 1887 · Page 8

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) Tue, Mar 29, 1887 · Page 6

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia)
Tue, Mar 29, 1887 · Page 6

Church of Our Father - Meeting Minutes May 12, 1887 (Results ofΒ Fund Raisers)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

May 12, 1887
Met in Chapel
Present: Messrs. Gude, Dixon, Fisher, Winslow and Rev. Mr. Chaney.

Mr. Gude was appointed chair and Chaney agreed to act as secretary.

Mr. Winslow reported that the net proceeds of the lectures was fifty-one dollars and moved that the thanks of the church be extended to Mr. Chaney for the same.

It was moved and heartily passed that the (proceeds) of the lecture be turned over to the ladies for their large donation to the treasury of the church. The amount cleared by their parlor sale was over four hundred and thirty dollars.

Mr. Dixon moved that twenty-five dollars be appropriated to the Woman’s Auxiliary Society for their post office mission.

Mr. Fisher moved that a committee be appointed to (determine) whether anything is owed to the church from the city in return for amount paid by the church for curbing and paving. Passed.

It was moved by Mr. Dixon that a subscription card be sent all regular attendants at the church, who have not already subscribed for the current year and that the Secretary be requested to attend to the matter after consulting with Mr. Chaney.

The meeting then adjourned.

<signed>
G.L. Chaney, Sec pro Tem.

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Pages: 31 – 32
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 Jun 13, 1887 (Church Repairs)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Jun 13, 1887
Met in Chapel
Present: Messrs. Gude, Winslow, Morley, Chaney and Harding.

Mr. Gude was elected to preside and J.E. Harding to act as Secretary pro tem.

Mr. Gude stated object of meeting was to hear report of Mr. Morley about changes and repairs to be made on the Means School building.

Mr. Morley reported that work that was needed to be done on the building, and gave in the estimate of Messrs. Irby and Lipps. Mr. Irby’s being $125.00 and Mr. Lipps $75.   It was then moved by Mr. Norrman that we allow Mr. Means $100.00 for repairs as proposed by him which amount should include work to be don on chimney and roof. Carried.

Moved by Mr. Chaney that Mr. Norrman look after the repairs and see that they ere properly done. Carried.

The meeting then adjourned.

<signed>

J.E. Harding, Sec pro Tem.

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Page: 32
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 Jul 12, 1887 (Library Catalogue Published)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Jul 12, 1887
Meeting of the Board of Trustees after morning service Sunday July 10 (Archivist: July 10 does appear in the meeting notes under a Jul 12, 1887 meeting minutes date)
Present: Mr. Chaney, Messrs. Dixon, Morley, Harding, Norrman, Burns and Klingelsmith.

Mr. Chaney presides as chairman.

The committee on the Care of Property reported that the necessary repairs had been made on the school building to the satisfaction of Prof. Means.

It was moved and adopted that the amount due the publisher for the printing of the parish library catalogue be paid.

It was also adopted that the price of the catalogue be fixed at ten cents each.

It was also moved and adopted that the Finance Committee be asked to look into the question of the insurance risk carried on the church property and if any policy had lapsed and have it renewed and if they found the insurance insufficient to increase the same to an amount they deemed proper.

The meeting then adjourned.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Sec pro Tem.

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Page 33
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 Oct 28, 1887 (Church Finances)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Oct 28, 1887
Meeting of the Board of Trustees in the Chapel at 8 pm.

Present: Messrs. Morley, Fisher, Norrman, Winslow, Klingelsmith and Rev. Mr. Chaney

Mr. Klingelsmith of Committee of Operation of Church reported the employment of a janitor for the winter at $8.00 per month.

Mr. Norrman, from the Finance Committee, reported that they had spent $125.00 on repairs of the Means School building and that this accomplished all necessary repairs and entirely to the satisfaction of Prof. Means as well as our Committee on Care of Property.

Mr. Fisher, from the Committee on Music, reported that he had tendered to Mrs. White the position of soprano in the Church choir and that she had accepted it, much to the gratification of the Committee and the pleasure of the Board.

Mr. Norrman, from the Committee on Finance, reported funds in bank $178.90 and due from other sources than church subscriptions $110.00 more.

It was decided by the Board that it would be best to close all subscriptions for the support of the church at the end of the church year which would be on Nov 1st. And in the future to have the subscriptions book opened at the beginning of our new church year, as this will enable the treasure to make a complete report of the financial condition of the church at the regular annual meeting that takes place the first Monday in Nov.

The Secy of the Board was requested to send a notice to the Committee on Care of Property to look after the broken awning on the front of the church, just in the rear of the pulpit.

The Secy was also instructed to make a report for the Board at the Annual Meeting of the church on the first Monday in November.

The Ways and Means Committee reported that the insurance on the church property had been adjusted, as per discussion at the previous meeting.

Motion to adjourn.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Sec pro Tem.

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Page: 34 – 35
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 Nov 7, 1887 (Fifth Annual Meeting)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Nov 7, 1887
Fifth Annual Meeting of the Members of the Church of Our Father held in the Ladies Room of the chapel.
Monday evening Nov. 7, 1887.
Members Present: Rev. G.L. Chaney, Messrs. Gude, Norrman, Fisher, Winslow, Behre, Klingelsmith and Mesdames Swift, Gude, Morrill, White, Fisher, Winslow and Klingelsmith and Miss Cooledge and Miss Center.

Mr. Gude was chosen chairman and Mr. Chaney opened the meeting with prayer.

The Treasurer’s Report was called for and read by the Treasurer, Mr. G.L. Norrman, and will be found on file marked, “Treasurer’s Report, Nov. 7, 1887.” The report was received unanimously and a vote of thanks was tendered Mr. Norrman for his faithfulness as such officer for the past year.

The Board of Trustees report was then called for and was read by it Secretary, Mr. Klingelsmith and will be found on file marked, “Board of Trustee Report, Nov. 7, 1887.” The report was accepted and ordered placed on file.

Mr. Chaney then read a very interesting and valuable report covering the main features of our church work not only in Atlanta, but all over the South, which was received with a vote of thanks. Marked, “Rev. G.L. Chaney report for the year 1887, Nov 7, 1887.”

An auditing committee consistent of Messrs. Winslow and Behre was then appointed to audit the account of the Treasurer.

The Treasurer, Mr. Norrman, tendered his resignation as such officer as he found it impossible to fill the position longer on account of absence from the city and other duties, which resignation was accepted.

A nominating committee consisting of Mess Cooledge and Messrs. Norrman and Klingelsmith was then appointed by the chair to make nominations for officers for the coming year and after retiring the committee reported the following nominations.

  •  Treasure – Mr. John Y. Dixon
  • Clerk – J.M. Klingelsmith
  • Board of Trustees – Mr. Norrman to fill the place vacated by Mr. Dixon becoming Treasurer and Mr. Frank Lederle to fill the place of Mr. Snowden whose term expired with this year, leaving the full Board for the year stand as follows:  A.N. Gude, G.L. Norrman, W.E. Fisher, T.N. Winslow, Frank Lederle, S.C. Morley, J.A. Burns, J.E. Harding.
  • Ladies Auxiliary Committee – Mesdames Morrill, Lowe, Swift and Center
  • Library Committee – Mrs. Klingelsmith and Mr. E.P. Burris

Upon motion, the Secretary was asked to cast the ballot for the church for the election of the officers as presented by the Nominating Committee and the ballot was cast and the election confirmed as reported and adopted.

It was moved and adopted that a committee be appointed to draft a suitable expression of our appreciation and gratitude for the manifold and continuous assistance at the hands of the American Unitarian Association and a committee consisting of Mr. Gude, Miss Cooledge and Mr. Klingelsmith was appointed to prepare such paper and transmit it to the Secretary of the A.U.A. in Boston.

A general vote of thanks was then passed to all the church people for their faithfulness and good works for the past year.

Adjourned.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 02   Book: 01   Pages: 153 – 155
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 Nov 26, 1887Β (Elections, Repairs, etc.)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Nov 26, 1887
Meeting of the Board of Trustees in the Chapel, Saturday, Nov 26 at 8 pm.
Members Present: Messrs. Dixon, Lederle, Gude, Winslow, Fisher and Klingelsmith.

Mr. Lederle was chosen chairman.

Mr. Norrman, as retiring Treasurer, reported a balance of $136.00 on hand.

As there were no committee reports to hear, it was moved and approved that a nominating committee be appointed to make nominations for the Standing Committees for the coming year and the chair named Messrs. Gude and Winslow as such committee, who reported the following nominations:

  • Ways and Means – Messrs. Winslow and Gude
  • Care of Property – Messrs. Norrman and Klingelsmith
  • Music – Messrs. Fisher and Lederle
  • Operations of the Church – Messrs. Klingelsmith and Winslow

The nominations were accepted.

The following business was then disposed of by referring each item to its proper committee.

The better lighting of the choir gallery was referred to the Music Committee with power to cooperate with the Committee on Care of Property and to have the necessary increase and rearrangement of lights put in at once.

The repairs to the window shades or coverings and the stopping up of the holes in and around the window frames was referred to the Committee on Care of Property with power to act, as also the matter of the broken window pane.

The question of engaging a piano was referred to the Music Committee with the power to hire a piano for two months for the use of the church and Sunday school and to secure the best terms for such times.

The approval of bills for the Sunday school was referred to the Committee on ways and Means with power to act.

The question of getting the church subscriptions for the coming year was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means with the request that they see all parties to whom Mr. Chaney had issued subscription cards and see that these cards were promptly filled out and returned to the Treasurer.

The sum of $10 was voted to the ladies of the church in aid of the Sewing school for girls.The proposed concert by Mr. Behre was referred to the Music Committee to report at the next meeting.

It was move and adopted that the Treasurer prepare a statement of the condition of the subscriptions accounts of each subscriber and send each for verification if correct and if not to obtain the proper correction, that each may be closed or balanced on the books of the last fiscal year.

It was also resolved that the new Treasurer, Mr. Dixon, have the privilege of depositing the funds in any bank in Atlanta most convenient to him

Adjourned.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Sec pro Tem.

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Pages: 36 – 38
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 Jan 5, 1888Β (General Business)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Jan 5, 1888
Meeting of the Board of Trustees in the Chapel, Saturday, Jan 5 at 8 pm.
Present: Messrs. Chaney, Harding, Winslow, Norrman and Lederle.

Mr. Norrman presided.

Mr. Chaney of Committee on Care of Property reported that the necessary repairs to (the) church had been made at the expense of $4.00.

Mr. Lederle of Music Committee reported that a piano had been rented for three months at $4.00 per month. Also that a two light gas fixture had been put up in the gallery.

Mr. Dixon, Treasurer, submitted a report giving the amount of subscriptions made to date for support of the church, also a financial statement show the receipts and explanation form Nov 26, ’87 to date.

A statement of accounts of Mr. Chaney of certain receipts and disbursements was referred to proper committees and ordered paid.

A communication form Prof. Means requesting that he be allowed $180.00 for repairs in place of the $125.00 previously voted him was referred to a committee consisting of Messrs. Winslow, Norrman and Dixon with the power to act.

The Treasurer suggested that proceeds form sale of articles at the Ladies Fair and all revenues of that nature should pass through to his hands for the purposes of record.

Mr. Chaney requested that the minutes of the previous meeting stating that he had issued subscription cards be corrected.

Adjourned.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Sec pro Tem.

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Page: 38
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 Jan 20, 1888 (Letter to AUA Not to Reduce Support)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Jan 20, 1888
Meeting of the Board of Trustees was called at Mr. Norrman’s office and met at 6 pm.
Present: Messrs. Norrman, Lederle, Winslow, Harding, and Klingelsmith.

Mr. Lederle was chosen chairman.

He stated that the object of the meeting was to consider a portion of a letter written to Mr. A.U. Gude by Rev. Grindall Reynolds, Secretary of the America Unitarian Association, relating to the question whether the Association could expect to reduce the appropriation the coming year amicably voted for the support of our church in Atlanta.

After full discussion it was not considered best to advise any reduction this year and committee consisting of Messrs. Norrman and Klingelsmith was appointed to communicate this opinion to Mr. Reynolds, the Secy of the American Unitarian Association with a statement of the reasons controlling our decision.

The following letter was sent to the Secy of the Assn. in Boston by the committee (see letter on file) (See Archivist Note)

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Sec pro Tem.

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Page: 39
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Archivist Note: No letter has yet been found in the Church of Our Father physical archives.

Church of Our Father - Meeting Minutes FebΒ 26, 1888 (Payment to Rev. Whitman)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Feb 26, 1888
Meeting of the Board of Trustees in the Pastor’s Study after service Sunday morning.

It was moved that the Board authorize the Treasurer to present to Rev. H. A. Whitman a check for $25.00 on his leaving for his home in Cambridge after his months preaching for us, which motion was passed. (See Archivist Note)

Present at the meeting: Mr. A. U. Gude, Mr. Winslow, Morley, Norrman, Lederle and Klingelsmith.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Sec pro Tem.

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Page: 40
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Archivist Note: Rev. H.A. Whitman is the Unitarian minister from Charleston, S.C.  Unsure of the reference to “Cambridge.”

 

Church of Our Father - Meeting Minutes Mar 10, 1888 (Collection Notice Needed)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Mar 10, 1888
Special meeting of the Board of Trustees at Mr. Hodge’s office at 7:30 pm.
Present: Messrs. Hodge, Gude, Winslow and Klingelsmith.

Mr. Gude was chosen Chairman.

Minutes of previous meeting were read and accepted.

It was moved and adopted that Mr. Klingelsmith be requested to give notice to Mr. Brumsted (See Archivist Note below) to announce a collection for next Sunday. This motion was caused by the failure for the past three months of the ministers officiating to give such notice in consequence of which no collection had been taken during that time.

Mr. Hodge reported for the Committee on Music that they had secured the services of Mrs. Werner as soprano for the choir at $5.00 per Sunday, during the last two Sundays in February, but that she had given notice the first of the month that she could no longer sing for less than $10.00 per Sunday. As this was received by the Committee too late to secure the services of any other soprano, they retained her for last Sunday at her advanced price of $10.00 per Sunday.

The report was accepted and the Committee approved in their action.

Moved that the Committee on Music be authorized to secure the service of Mrs. Werner as soprano at an expense not to exceed $25.00 per month. Motion lost.

Moved that Mr. Klingelsmith secure a committee of ladies to call on Mrs. Fisher and urge her attendance at church, in order to lead the singing either in the choir or in the congregation; and that if she could not attend, to notify Mr. Brumsted that no service would be held on account of our inability to secure any singers to lead the singing.

Moved that we adjourn.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Secretary

Archivist Note:  Rev. Horace Brumsted had preached at the Church of Our Father per newspaper clipping research on Jan 17, Jan 31, 1886. It could not be confirmed via archival newspaper research that he preached in March. It appears, however, from these meeting minutes that Rev. Brumsted was again preaching in early March 1886.

From a review of contemporary newspaper church notices, Rev. Chaney preached at the church on Jan 3, 1886, but was absence from the pulpit for several months thereafter.

From newspaper research, several ministers preached at the church in the early part of 1886. Rev. Westall on Feb 14; Rev. Wm. P. Tilden preached on Mar 21 and Apr 25 “during Dr. Chaney’s enforced absence.”

The full record of ministers in the pulpit for this period for Rev. Chaney’s absence could not be re-created from a review of archival newspapers.

On May 24, 1886, the newspaper reported that Rev. Chaney was again back in the pulpit after his absence for several months.

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Page: 22 – 23
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 Mar 10, 1888 (Distribute Cards Invite Friends)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Mar 10, 1888
Meeting of the Board of Trustees at the Church at 8 pm.
Member present: Messrs. Dixon, Norrman, Lederle, Winslow, Klingelsmith and Rev. Mr. Chaney.

The Treasurer, Mr. Dixon, reported a balance on had of $380.45 of the church fund and 86.00 of the Ladies Fund. He reported that with extra large payments during the month of March by subscribers that he would be able to meet the April interest to the AUA and all other obligations of the church.

He also reported sending a check for $10.00 to the Rev. Atticus G. (Green) Haygood for his service in filling our pulpit on Sunday, Jan 29th.

Mr. Lederle, of the Music Committee, reported that the time for the piano was rented had expired and inquired if he should renew it. It was agreed to renew it for another month.

The committee on Operation of the Church reported that they had had the front yard sodded, at a cost of $1.25, which was approved.

Mr. Chaney issued cards to the members of the Board present containing the subjects of a series of “Sermons of Belief and Trust,” which he would commence on March 11 and continue until Sunday April 1st, both morning and evening also Special Services on Thursday evening during the month of March on the subject of Temptations and Victory of Jesus.

He urged upon the Board to give these cards to friends and send to anyone whom we thought would be interested and benefitted by these services as the he desired that they should be made as useful as possible and give all an opportunity of hearing our gospel.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Sec pro Tem.

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Pages: 40 – 41
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Archivist Note: See newspaper clipping of Jan 29, 1888 announcing Rev. Haygood in pulpit at the Church of Our Father.  Newspaper clippings are not in Pitts Theology Library collections.  Contact Archivist for access.

Church of Our Father - Meeting Minutes Mar 24, 1888 (Paving Bill / Confer to Meet)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Mar 24, 1888
Meeting of the Board of Trustees at the Church at 8:30 pm.
Present: Messrs. Burns, Gude, Lederle, Klingelsmith and Rev. Mr. Chaney

Mr. Burns presided as Chairman.

It was moved and adopted after a full discussion that a committee be appointed to investigate as to the advisability of paying the bill of $153.37 presented by the City for the street pavement on Forsyth street fronting the church property and that his committee be authorized to consult an attorney if necessary to learn our legal rights.

The committee appointed by the chair consisted of Messrs. Dixon, Norrman, Burris and Klingelsmith. They were instructed to report to the Board at their next meeting to be called when necessary.

Mr. Chaney reported that the Southern Conference of Unitarian Churches would take place in our church April 11th and 12th, and he suggested that a committee be appointed to consult with the assist the Ladies Auxiliary Committee on the entertainment of the members and guests of the Conference. The chair appointed as such committee Messrs. Fisher, Harbison, Gude with power to add to their numbers.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Sec

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Page: 42
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

 

Southern Conference Meets in Atlanta at Church of Our Father

1 January 2014 at 00:00

The Southern Conference of Unitarian Churches met in Atlanta, Ga., on April 11 and 12. Mr. Shippen, of Washington, preached on the first night a lively sermon on the Gospel of Service. On Thursday night Dr. Hale opened and illustrated the rational Unitarian doctrine of salvation, and in a most vigorous way lashed out of the temple the old middle-age teachings that have so distorted this truth, and unhappily fixed themselves in the minds of many. The spirit of the whole conference was cheery and hopeful. Mr. Allen, after reporting his own varied activities in New Orleans, told about the peculiar and patient work of young Mr. Schultz, who has the whole of Texas for his field. Mr. Chaney, whose work in Atlanta spoke for itself, reported the hopeful beginnings up in Ashville and Highlands, N. C, ” a handful of corn in the earth on the top of the mountains, the fruit whereof shall shake like Lebanon.” And Mr. Browne told how happily the Unitarian family were abiding in Charleston in their restored religious home. One of the most impressive “reports” was in the form of a little map dotted all over with the red marks that tell where the winged seeds of the P. O. Mission have lighted. From Canada in the northeast down to Texas, and up again to Oregon in the northwest, some in groups, like flocks of birds, and some scattered, like solitary ones—

“Lone wandering, but not lost.”

Several Chicago ladies, wintering in Marietta, were present to spy and speed our work.—B.

Source: Unity: Freedom, Fellowship and Character in Religion in Google Books April 28, 1888 , page 122

Order of Service for Conference.

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

Order of Service Southern Conference Meeting Apr 11- 12, 1888 (page 1)

Order of Service Southern Conference Meeting Apr 11- 12, 1888 (page 1)

Order of Service Southern Conference Meeting Apr 11- 12, 1888 (page 2)

Order of Service Southern Conference Meeting Apr 11- 12, 1888 (page 2)

 

Church of Our Father - Meeting Minutes Apr 28, 1888 (Paving Bill / Other Business)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Apr 28, 1888
Called meeting of the Board of Trustees at the Church at 8:00 pm.
Present: Messrs. Gude, Chairman, Burns, Dixon, Fisher, Harding, Lederle, Klingelsmith and Rev. Mr. Chaney

The committee appointed at the last meeting to investigate as to the advisability of petitioning the city council to release the church form the assessment for street pavement on Forsyth street reported in favor of making such petition, and presented for the consideration of the Board the following as the form of the petition to be presented.

Atlanta, Ga. April 30, 1888
To the Honorable Mayor and City Council of Atlanta

Gentlemen:

The Church of Our Father, Rev. Geo. Leonard Chaney pastor, petitions your honorable body to relieve them from payment of the assessment of one hundred and fifty-three dollars for Belgian block pavement in front of their property on Forsyth street.

Respectively submitted,
Church of Our Father
By John Y. Dixon, Chairman

The report of the committee was accepted and the petition approved by the Board and Mr. Dixon was chosen to present the petition and consult with the committee of council to whom it might be referred.

The Committee on the Care of Property reported that Prof. Means desired that we should paint the school building which by motion was referred to the committee to investigate as to the cost and report at the next meeting.

The Music Committee reported that they considered it necessary that the choir should be provided with a paid leader and organist. And after a full discussion it was moved and adopted that the Music Committee be authorized to confer with the choir and procure a regular organist at a cost not to exceed $12.00 per month.

An amendment to this was also adopted, authorizing the Music Committee to solicit subscriptions for anything it might cost in excess of this appropriation of $12.00 per month to secure such against.

An expense of $1.00 damage on the piano returned was reported by the Music Committee and approved and ordered paid.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Sec

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Pages: 42 – 44
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 May 14, 1888 (Paving Bill / Financial Stress)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. May 14, 1888
Called meeting of the Board of Trustees in the Ladies Parlor of the Church at 8:00 pm.
Present: Messrs. Lederle, Chairman, Gude, Norrman, Harding and Klingelsmith.

The Treasurer furnished a report of the financial condition of the Church showing net cash on hand for church expenses to be $181.75, with a fund of $88.66 to the credit of the Women’s Auxiliary Society. The liabilities were shown to be $412.00

On order to meet the obligations of the church now due it was moved and adopted that Rev. Mr. Chaney be asked to announce from the pulpit on the Sunday following to the subscribers (and others interested) of the church that they make as large as payment on their subscriptions account as possible on the Sunday following, calling their attention to the fact of our extra expense on account of the city assessment of $153.00 for street pavement in front of our property on Forsyth street.

The special committee of Messrs. Dixon and Klingelsmith appointed to prepare and present the petition of the church to the city council asking that body to exempt us from the payment of the $153.00 assessed against us for street paving our Forsyth street, reported that after consultation with the Tax Committee to whom the petition would be referred, they found that the petition would be reported by the committee without its approval and would not be granted, and the committee beg to return the petition adopted by the Board at its last meeting with the endorsement “not presented.”

The committee on Care of Property reported that the had interviewed Prof. Means in regard to painting the school building and had told him that we were not able at present to bear the expense. We also found that the expense for one coat of paint would be about $35.00. Prof. Means was very anxious to have it painted. The Board voted not to paint the building at present on account of the unwarrantable condition of the Treasury.

Mr. Lederle, of the Music Committee, reported that the Chairman of the committee, Mr. Fisher, who had the report in hand being absent, that no report could be made.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Sec

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Pages: 45 – 46
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 Jun 9, 1888Β (Improved Financial Situation)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Jun 9, 1888
Special meeting of the Board of Trustees in the Ladies Parlor of the Church at 8:00 pm.
Present: Messrs. Morley, Gude, Dixon, Lederle, Winslow, Klingelsmith and Rev. Mr. Chaney

Mr. Morley was chosen chairman.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

The music committee had no report to make.

The Treasurer, Mr. Dixon, reported a very flattering condition of the finance of the church.

Regarding the special contributions to meet the expense of the street improvement, it was found by a report from those receiving subscriptions for this purpose that sufficient (funds) had been received to pay the entire assessment.

Rev. Mr. Chaney desired to lay before the board his plan for the summer and receive any suggestions the Board have to make on this subject. His plan was to close the church for the summer vacation after the first Sunday in July and reopen September first instead of closing and reopening a month later as heretofore. Mr. Chaney also suggested it as his wish that if any time during the summer vacation prominent Unitarians were in this section and could be secured to preach n our church on Sunday and effort be made to secure them. These plans were approved by the Board.

It was moved and adopted that the Committee on Care of Property be authorized to see Prof. Means and arrange with him regarding the painting of the school building and if found necessary to do so to make a contract for the work at a cost not to exceed $40.

Adjourned.

<signed>

J.M. Klingelsmith, Sec

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Pages 47 – 48
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 NovΒ Β 1, 1888 (Annual Meeting)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Nov 1, 1888 (Archivist: No specific date in original notes; used Nov 1)
Meeting called to order at 8:20 pm. Mr. Gude chosen chairman.

The meeting was opened by prayer by Mr. Chaney. In (the) absence of the Secretary, Mr. Lederle was chosen to act in his place.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and accepted.

The Treasurer then read his report, which was accepted. On motion of Mr. Harbison, the thanks of the meeting was tendered to the Treasurer for his full and able report.

Mr. Chaney explained the attitude of the (American Unitarian) Association toward the Parish stating he has requested the Secretary to reduce the appropriation this year by three hundred dollars which would leave about five hundred dollars to be raised above that was raised last year.

He suggested that we try to raise this by increasing our subscriber-ship list. He offers to deliver lectures by which about two hundred dollars could be raised. The rest could be raised by a sale or other enterprise.

Mr. Chaney also suggested that each member present pledge himself to endeavor to get one or two members in the next six months.

Mr. Harbison moved that a soliciting committee to secure new members be appointed.

The Chair appointed as such Committee (of) Messrs. Winslow and Kennedy. Messrs. Dixon and Norrman and Miss Cooledge were appointed a nominating committee.

Theo Kennedy was chosen a Trustee to fill the place of A.V. Gude whose term had expired.

The nominating committee reported as follows:

  • Clerk – J.M. Klingelsmith
  • Treasurer – J.Y. Dixon
  • Auxiliary Committee – Mrs. Chaney, Mrs. Morrill, Mrs. Center, and Mrs. J.R. Hodge
  • Advisory Committee – Mrs. Gude and Mrs. Morrill
  • Library Committee – Mr. Klingelsmith, Howard Fisher

These officers were all elected.

It was moved and seconded that the Trustees be asked to express to the American Unitarian Association our gratitude for their service during the year.

Mrs. Chaney read a report of the work of the year (Archivist: Assumed to be work of the Ladies Auxiliary), which was received with the thanks of the meeting.

After interesting discussion and conference, the meeting adjourned

<signed>
Frank Lederle, Secretary pro tem

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 02   Book: 01   Pages: 156 – 157
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 of Jun 6, 1890 (Pastor in Rev. Chaney's Absence)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Jun 6, 1890
At this meeting Messrs. Chaney, Crafts, Kennedy, Harding, Dixon and Burns were present.

The subject matter for discussion and decision was selection of pastor to take Mr. Chaney place during his vacation. This was referred to Committee on Operation of Church, Messrs. Winslow, Burns and Harding.

The obtaining of a screen to shield choir from congregation was advised by vote after discussion and referred to Music Committee for action.

<signed>

E.P. Burns, Clerk

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Page: 61
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 of Sep 1,1890 (Rev. Galvin Act as Pastor)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

During July and August the Secretary was absent from meetings and Secretary’s pro tem failed to deliver him minutes taken at the meetings held.

The matters acted upon legally calling Mr. P. Galvin to act as pastor during Mr. Chaney’s absences which extended to Oct second Sunday.

The screen for shielding of the choir was erected.

The Committee of Care Church Property had repairs made on dwelling on church property, acting under direction of the board. The repairs being made in October.

E.P. Burns, clerk

Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02  Pages: 62
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Archivist Note:

The entry in the meeting book was undated.  Use Sep 1, 1890 as an assumed date given no minutes taken in July and August.

From a review of Atlanta contemporary newspapers, it is announced on Jul 13, 1890 that Rev. P. Galvin, of Mississippi, will preach at the Church of Our Father. Rev. Galvin is also listed as the preaching minister on July 20 and August 3.

There is, however, no minister mentioned in church service announcements posted in the Atlanta papers August 10, 17 and 24.   Then in the August 31 notice, Rev. Galvin is listed as the pastor of the Church of Our Father.

In the Sep 7, 1890 notice in the newspaper announcing services at the Church of Our Father, it is indicated that Rev. P. Galvin is preaching and that Rev. Chaney is the pastor, but oddly mis-spells Rev. G.L. Chaney’s name as “Rev. G.E. Chaney.”

In the Sep 21, 1890 church notice in the newspaper, Rev. Galvin is not mentioned; Rev. Chaney is noted as the pastor of the Church of Our Father, but another odd mis-spelling appears, “Rev. G.E. Chane.”

Also in the Sep 21, 1890 paper there is a lengthy article of a discourse delivered by Rev. Galvin on Sep 14.

The Sep 28, 1890 church announcement continued to mis-spell of Rev. G.L. Chaney’s name (Rev. G.E. Chane), referred to him as the pastor and made no mention of the preaching minister.

At the board’s Sep 29, 1890 meeting, it is noted that Rev. Chaney has indicated that he is resigning his pastorate of the Church of Our Father. This information may have been known to the church board earlier, resulting in the listing of Rev. Galvin as pastor.  At that same meeting a recommendation is made to call Rev. Galvin as the pastor of the Church of Our Father for the next year.

A October 5, 1890 newspaper article announces that “Rev. George L. Chaney, returned to the city yesterday and will preach a the Unitarian church.”

During the October 1890 boarding meeting a vote is taken to reverse the calling of Rev. Galvin as pastor of the church made at the board meeting a month earlier.

Church of Our Father - Meeting Minutes of Sep 29, 1890 (Call Rev. Galvin as Pastor)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Sep 29, 1890
Pursuant to call the Board of Trustees meeting was held this date 8 pm.
Messrs. Kennedy, Dixon and Crafts were present. Mr. Kennedy was selected Chairman and Mr. Crafts, Secretary pro tem.

Messrs. Burns and Lederle were represented by proxy.

Mr. Crafts moves that whilst Mr. Chaney had notified the Board that he could not serve the Church another year as their pastor, the board recommended to the church that they call for the coming year, as pastor, Mr. P. Galvin of New Orleans, La.

The motion seconded by Mr. Dixon, passed unanimously.

A letter of resignation was received from Mr. Lederle as a member of the Board of Trustees and on motion of Mr. Crafts, the same was accepted and a vote of thanks for his pass service extended to Mr. Lederle.

Adjourned at 8 o’clock.

<signed>

Geo. H. Crafts, Clerk pro tem

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Page: 63
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Why am I a Unitarian?

1 January 2014 at 00:00

The Unitarian: A Monthly Magazine of Liberal Christianity, Volumes 5-6
Oct 1890

WHY AM I A UNITARIAN?

Because I could not, honestly, be anything else.

The creeds or formulated doctrines of other Christian sects contain articles or passages which I do not believe.

“Do you, then, believe all the doctrines commonly taught by Unitarian teachers?” I may be asked.

Perhaps not, but there is this difference between the Unitarian and other Christian churches: the other churches make belief in their opinions a condition of membership; the Unitarian church does not; at least, the Unitarian church is much more hospitable to freedom of thought and much more tolerant of the differences it engenders than other churches are or can be.

Not that Unitarians are indifferent to the beliefs and practices of their brethren in the church. They are not. If such matters were of no consequence to them, all the positive value of their existence as a distinct body would be gone. But they are more patient with honest difference from their standard opinions than other sects are.

Such differences of opinion unless issuing in overt acts which destroy the very purposes for which all true religions exist, i. e., Worship and Virtue, are not made a reason for the denial of church fellowship among Unitarians.

Unitarians emphasize personal character. They are tolerant of differences in belief; but they insist on upright character and righteous living. This, with the divine blessings that attend it, constitutes the only salvation or safety of man, here, or hereafter.

Unitarians use the Bible without abusing it. They accept its testimony about itself; and, as it nowhere claims to be verbally inspired, they see no reason to believe that it is.

“Every Scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for discipline which is in righteousness.”

This is the statement of the revised version of the second letter to Timothy, and this is a good statement of the Unitarian view of inspired writings, wherever they may be found. Thus, Unitarians are able to read the various books of the Bible with discrimination, and, so used, they find much of it profitable in the way just described.

Unitarians believe in the undivided Unity of God and not in any Trinity in the Godhead. They believe in Jesus as the Christ or anointed one, i. e., the divinely chosen revealer of spiritual realities. The Holy Spirit, as Unitarians believe and teach, is God’s Spirit in its moral and spiritual influence upon men’s souls—not a third person in a divine Triad.

The Unitarian view of retribution or recompense is best expressed in the language of Paul in his letter to the Galatians. “Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the spirit, shall of the spirit reap eternal life.”

Death on the one hand, Eternal Life on the other; but not Eternal Punishment in the sense of never-ending suffering.

No authority could make such a doctrine as that credible to Unitarian believers. It contradicts the Fatherhood of God, and is therefore inconsistent with the fundamental faith of Unitarian Christianity.

Unitarians believe in the divine capacity of human nature: that the human is only perfected in its oneness with the Divine.

They look upon themselves and the present race of mankind as the latest result of a long process of upward tending life on this earth, and they believe that the process will go on and lead men to higher reaches of character and influence.

As to church organization, Unitarians believe in a church where all are brethren and where all are equal in dignity and in their rights in the church. They accept Jesus’ law that there should be no lordship among Christians, but that service or ministry should be the way of true greatness among Christian disciples. The unit of the Unitarian church is the individual, not any society, conference, presbytery, or parish. All such associations, wherever formed, may be “helpers of our joy,” but must not have “dominion over our faith.”

It is because I approve of these principles and enjoy the freedom and comfort they give, that I am a Unitarian. I would that all other men who are ready to profit by these views and practices and are almost persuaded to be Christians after this pattern, were not almost but altogether such as I am; excepting the bonds of individual weakness and shortcoming, for which Unitarianism is in no way responsible, and of which its noble faith and humane energy are doing their best to relieve me.

George L. Chaney.
Atlanta, Ga.

Source:  The Unitarian found in Google Books October 1890, Volumes 5-6, Page 476 – 77

Rev. Chaney Leaving Atlanta

1 January 2014 at 00:00
The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) - Sun, Oct 19, 1890

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Sun, Oct 19, 1890

George Leonard Chaney will Leave the Church of our Father – His services are required in New Fields of Labor – The Unitarian Movement

Dr. George L. Chaney will sever his connection as pastor of the Church of our Father, after the first Sunday in November.

This announcement will be read with sincere regret by thousands of people in the city of Atlanta, who have known. admired and loved this distinguished divine during his residence in the city.

Eight years ago he held the first Unitarian service ever held in the city, at a room in the Kimball house, and his congregation consisted of two ladies. From that smell beginning the church has grown and prospered until today it numbers among the congregation many of the best people at the city.

For quite awhile alter the Kimball house beginning the Sunday services were conducted in the senate chamber at the state capitol.

In the spring of 1883, Dr. Chaney secured Concordia hall, and for several months the services were held there. In the fall of 1883 the place of worship was changed to the United States courtroom, in the custom house,where services were held until the property on the corner of North Forsyth anti Church streets was purchased and the beautiful church building erected there, a monument to the untiring efforts of Ur. Cheney and the society of Unitarians.

Dr. Chaney leaves the city and savers his connection with the Church of Our Father so that the scope of his labors may be broadened. But in speaking of the matter last evening he said: “I am not going to bid farewell forever to the church here in Atlanta, where I have labored so long. It has been a work at love with me, because I love the south; and some of my dearest interests are in the south and connected with the upbuilding of moral and social interests of this section of the union. Even though my labors be henceforth in some other part of the country, I intend to continue to work for the south and with those who are interested in the well-being of southern interests.”

Dr. Chaney has not decided on the plans for his future work,and neither has a successor been selected to take charge of the Church of our Father.

The services for the next two Sundays will be of additional interest in to the member of the congregation in consequence of the coming severance of his pastoral duties from the church that he has served so long and so well.

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) – Sun, Oct 19, 1890
Copyright © 2013 Newspapers.com. All Rights Reserved.

Church of Our Father - Meeting Minutes of Oct 31, 1890 (Reverse Call Rev. Galvin as Pastor)

1 January 2014 at 00:00

Atlanta, Ga. Oct 31, 1890
A meeting of the Board of Trustees was held at the Church this evening.

There were present Messrs. Burns, Harding, Kennedy, Dixon and Fisher.

Upon motion of Mr. Dixon that the resolution passed last meeting to call Mr. Galvin to the pastorate be reconsidered.

Mr. Kennedy seconded, the motion was unanimously carried.

<signed>

E.P Burns , Clerk,

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 26   Folder: 02 Book: 02 Page: 64
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA

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