Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-21
LITTLE HAYTI'S WAR.
A Sensation Among the Colored Meth
odists of the Two Cities.
ANOTHER SPLIT ON AVERY'S WILL
Because the Merrill Chapel Claims it is Not
Sharing Fairly.
PASTORS AND A TRUSTEE EXPLAIN

There is the prospect ofa lively legal scrim.
mage between some of the colored church
people of the two cities. 1t is in regard to
the Charles Avery bequests, made many
years ago, to colored people, including the
Avery College in Allegheny. and the COM
planning party is the colored congregation
of Merrill Chapel, Allegheny, OF which Rev.
G. W. Jenkins is pastor. The principal
benevolent bequest consists of the rents de-
rived from II houses situated on the north
side of Virgin alley, above smithteld
street, and is now divided among six colored
A. NJ. E. churches of both cities. The
Merrill Chapel congregation thinks it ought
to get share of these revenues.
The history of the bequest is as follows;
On February 10, 1856, Charles Avery, oi
Ross township, decided to W. M. Shinn Il
houses, situated as above described, to be
held in trust for the A. NJ. E. churches Of
this city and vicinity, with the understand
ing that, upon his death, the property
should 90 into the hands of Wylie Street
A. M. E. Church, whose officers were to dis
pose of the rents among the colored churches
at their discretion.
Rev. G. W. Jenkins, pastor of Merrill
Chapel, in Allegheny, when seen by DIS
PATCH reporter in regard to the matter,
seemed very much wrought up about it,
and said:
''Ip the will of the late Charles Avery a
bequest was made to the colored churches
of Allegheny and Pittsburg, consisting Of
10 houses in Virgin alley, Pittsburg. The
rents accruing from these were to be distrib-
uted among these churches"
A BIG FIGHT PROMISED.
sDo you know the value of this proper
typ" asked the reporter of the preacher.
mo, 1 could not give its exact value, u"
was the reply, "but 1 know that the rents
amount to considerable, and we are going
to get our share, if possible. We have en-
gagged good counsel, in the person of j. f.
Emory, and propose to make a strong light,
unless things are amicably adjusted"
'Do you know if any funds have been
put to improper uses?"
Gall I will say in reply to that question
is that some highly sensational revelations
will soon be made, as 1 have my eye on
several parties" !"
Rev. D. S. Bentley, pastor of the Wylie
Street A. M. E. Church, was at his home
last evening, and, when the subject was
called to his attention, expressed consider
able surprise, saying;
"In the late Charles Avery's will this
property in Virgin alley was given in trust
to the Wylie Street A. M. E. Church, Of
which I am pastor, and the accruing rents
were to be distributed among the A. M. E.
churches of both cities.p
''Does the Merrill Chapel not come in
under that will?" he was asked.
"No; will tell you why. 1t belongs to
the NJ. E. Church, not to the A. M. E., and
as such can have no claims on the property
left to the A. NJ. E. Church, an entirely
separate and distinct organization"
"Have you any idea as to the amount OF
rent which accrues yearly?"
"Well, suppose it might amount to a
few thousands, of which $500 or S400 must
be deducted for general expenses, such as
repairs, etc."
SPREADING IT OUT THIN.
"What churches have been receiving
money from this fund.-"
"Well, besides our own, there are the
Brown Chapel, the Manchester Mission, the
Southside and East End Missions and the
Allen Chapel. These comprise all the A.
NJ. E. churches of the two cities, and you
can thus see that we have been doing our
duty"
Mr.. Joseph Johnston. who is the agent
for this property, and also trustee of the
Wylie Street Church, said to DISPATCH
reporter:
81 am surprised at this move. Some time
ago the Avery Mission, of Allegheny, at
tempted to do the same thing. The matter
finally came before the Supreme Court of
and Judge Strong decided in
our favor. The property was decided to US
in 1856, and was of little value then, but is
worth at present about S22, 900.
"We derive rents to the amount of 81, 900
per annum, and, after all expenses have
been deducted, there remains about s., 900
for distribution. Therefore it would be
folly for us to increase the number of
receiving this money, as the shares
are small enough at present"