The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1883-05-05
CHARTER
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

|
| ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
PARISH OF ASCENSION.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
State of Louisiana,
| Parish of Ascension.
I'D of the month of February, in the year o
our Lord one thousand eight hundred ant
eighty-three, before me. Robert N. Sims, ];
Notary Public, duly commissioned and quail
fed, i'll and for the parish of Ascension, and il
the presence of the hereinafter named and sub
scribed witnesses personally came and ap
peared the persons whose names are hereuntt
subscribed, all residents OF the parish Of As
faith, who declare that: Whereas, the Congrega
ton of the Roman Catholic Church of Ascension
was Incorporated as a body polite by an act OF
the Legislature of this State, approved Marcel
l. 1886, entitled AN Act to incorporate the
Roman Catholic Congregation in the parish Of
Ascension" and by subsequent act of the
Legislature of this State, approved the 18th OF
February, 1855, entitled 8 An Act to amend the
first section of an act entitled An Act tc
incorporate the Roman Catholic Congregation
in the parish Of Ascension" approved March
1886, being No. II; the original act of incorpo-
ration was amended SO as to prolong the charter
of said corporation for period OF twenty
years; and, whereas, the said corporation has
no longer any legal existence, the same having
expired by limitation, they, the said appearers,
desire to form and constitute themselves and
all the members OF SAID Roman Catholic Church
of Ascension into q corporation or body polite,
IN accordance with the laws of the State of
Louisiana, III such cases made and provided,
for the purpose of administering. and managing
the temporal affairs of the Congregation of said
Catholic Church of Ascension; wherefore they
declare that they have agreed and do hereby
agree to the following articles:
ARTICLE I.
The object Of said corporation shall be to
administer and manage, pursuant to the consti-
tuition of this State and existing laws and such
laws as may hereafter be enacted the temporal
affairs of the Congregation Of the Rom an
tathoilc Church IN this parish, and to hold,
manage and administer all of the property
belonging to said congregation to the best
advantage and for the best interest thereof
ARTICLE II.
The name and title of said corporation shall
be, The Congregation of the Roman Catholic
Church of Ascension, and its domicile shall be
IN the parish of Ascension. Under said title, the
sion and shall be entitled to have, to hold and
enjoy for themselves and their successors all
KINDS OF property, real and personal all lands,
movables and effects whatever, by means of any
act, contract transfer, purchase or of what
nature or form whatever it may be; to receive
any donation and cession inter uiuoS; to pur-
chase: acquire, build, repair increase and
insure any KIND OF property or the value there
OF; to lease, farm out, hire for Il space of time
not to exceed the term of ten years any property
belonging. to said corporation and according
to the advantages which may ensue to said
corporation; to sue and be sued, defend and be
defended in all suits and actions generally: to
put INTO execution each and every act and regu-
latlon that may concern their congregation; they
shall also have a. common seal which they may
alter. change or destroy at pleasure, and they
may ordaln and make any bylaws and regulations
for the better administration of the affairs of
SAID congregation. provided, that the same
contain nothing contrary to the constitution
and laws OF this State and to the constitution
and laws of the United States.
ARTICLE III.
The said corporation shall be conducted by a
board OF seven Church Wardens
ARTICLE ".
The Citrate of the parish, duly appointed by
the Catholic Bishop Of the Diocese, or by his
Vicar General. shall be, er-offcio, a member Of
the Board of Church Wardons.
ARTICLE Y.
The six members of the Board of Church
Wartens shall be elected within as brief a delay
rs practicable and in accordance with the pro-
ARTICLE VI.
The election of the first six Church Wardens,
under this act, shall take place and be held in
the town OF DonaldsonvilIe, on the first day of
April, 1885, and the same shall be by ballot.
The following named persons arc hereby desig-
mated and authorized to hold and conduct said
election and to mako duo return thereof. viz:
dominique Gentil, Ozeme Melancon, Jean
Fevrier and John L. Dry, Said persons shall
nave the right of selecting the polling place and
It shall be their duty to give public notice of
sand election by posting on the front door of
he Catholic Church. and by publication in a
newspaper in this parish at least ten days prior
% the date fixed for said election.
ARTICLE VII
The duties of the Church Wardens. elected at the
lrst election as provided in Article Sixth, shall
continue until the first Sunday after Easter,
SsS4, and thereafter each first Sunday after
easter the members of said congregation shall
assemble for the purpose of e!ecting six Church
Nardens for the annual term next ensuing. who
hall be elected by ballot of the males of the
lSe OF twenty lone years and over, members of
and congregation, and the election shall be held
~ any three of the Church Wardens to be
elected among themselves, who shall certify
he result of the election. The Church Wardens
% elected shall administer the affairs of said
until the tirst Sunday after Easter
GLOWING their election, or until their success
'ors shall have been duly elected.
ARTICLE VIII.
No person shall be eligible to the position of
,hurch Warden unless he be a member of the
ioman Catholic Church. thirty years of age and |
| resident of the parish for three years next
preceding tie election
ARTICLE *.
The Church Wardens shall elect president |
Jerk to keep a record Of their proceedings, and |
treasurer to collect all sums of money which |
nay be due to said congregation and this corpo- |
alton and to make payment under such rules |
nd regulations as the Church Wardens may
dept. The said treasurer shall keep an ac-
cunt OF his receipts and expenditures and |
hall render his final account within thirty days
fter the expiration of his term of office: he |
no u hrrrl !,
he satisfaction of the board, in such amount
g they may fix, and no member of said board |
hall become surety on the treasurers bond. !
he SAID officers shall be elected at the first
Meeting Of the Board Of Church Wartlens and |
hey may be removed for cause.
ARTICLE X.
The Board of Church Wardens shall nominate
rom among themselves a standing committee
+ three members, who shall elect for them
elves a chairman and a secretary. The salt,
omm1ttee shall conduct all the details of adj
but they shall not have the power
! any case to MI any appropriation of funds
incur any expense or make any purchase or
epairs winch shall require more than one
ne right to call an extra meeting of the board
pr the purpose Of laying before it such propo-
tlons or reports as they may deem for the
est interest of the corporation.
ARTICLE xI.
The Board of Church Wardens shall hold two
7SuaF lieetl!lsS IN each year, one on the first
unday after Easter and the other on the first
unday in September.
ARTICLE XII.
Four members of the board at least two of
HON shall be members of the standing com
nttee, shall form quorum, but 1t shall be
squlslte that all the members of the board
lall have been properly notified whenever an
ltra meeting may be held.
ARTICLE XIII.
The meetings of the board of Church Wardens.
J well as those of the standing committee
lall be held at any convenient place which may: