The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-20
DOGS GUARD THE DOORS.
The MEMBERS WARNED NOT TO
ATTEMPT TO ENTER THE
BUILDING.
SEXTON MADE TO RETREAT.
THE HOUSE OF WORSHIP IN THE
POSSESSION OF ITS PRINCI-
PAL OWNER.

FRESNO, CAL, Oct. 19.-The Seventh
dav Adventists Of this city are in a sorry
plight. To-day they were deprived of their
regular place OF worship and had to hold
services IN the Salvation Army barracks.
When the sexton went to open the church
this morning he was met at the door by NJ
J. Church, who was armed with a club
and had two savage dogs at his side.
Church in very forcible language told
the sexton that no services would be held
in the building, and If any one dared enter
he would make free use of the club and
turn the dogs loose. The sexton did what
he thought best, and left the place He
notified the members of the congregation
of the state of affairs, and a number OF
them visited the church to investigate, but
they met the same reception accorded the
sexton. The members of the congrega
ton were determined to hold services, and
accordingly secured the Salvation Army
barracks
Moses J. Church has been a leading Ad-
ventlst OF this county for many years. He
had much to do with the erection of the
place of worship in this city, and practi-
cally owns the structure, which cost in the
neighborhood of $4,000. He subscribed
$4,000 toward its construction and the
congregation raised the other $4,000.
Mr.. Church, therefore, owned the control
ling interest.
About three weeks ago Mr.. Church re-
ceived good offer from the Methodists
for the building. He decided to accept the
offer, as he thought he had right to do,
as he practically owns the edifice. In
former years Church ranked among the
wealthiest men in the county, but he lost
heavily in recent years. He was therefore
very deslrous of realizing on the building
in which he has SO much money invested
with no income.
When the congregation heard of Mr..
Church's intention to sell their place OF
worship they held an indignation meeting
and decided that it should not be done.
He then offered TO furnish them with a
less pretentious church in this city for
their interest in the property. But the
congregation refused to entertain this
proposition. The congregation wanted
TO keep the regular place of worship
and determined not to let Mr.. Church
sell it. Church considered that he was
being imposed upon, and so decided to
assert his rights as the owner of the
building.
a week ago he, in company with his
wife, came TO the house of worship Just as
the sexton was going to ring the bell.
Church went for the sexton with his cane
and threatened TO belabor him with it il
he touched the rope; but Mrs. Church in
terfered and pleaded with her husband not
to strike the sexton and let him ring the
bell. Church yielded to his wife's wishes
and caused no more trouble that day.
During the week he moved his family
and household effects into the rear rooms
of the building, and he is living there now.
Mr.. Church did this as a strategic move
in order to have full possession of the
building. He also bought two dogs during
the week to assist in carrying out the plan
of action to-day.
Mr.. Church VOWS that the Adventists
will not hold services again in his building
unless they pay him his $4,000. He says
he will sell the edifce. Church is well
known throughout the San Joaquin Val
ley, and was the chief promoter of the
irrigation system of this county twenty
years ago. He is IS years Old, and has
always Deen a devoted Adventist.