The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1897-08-07
CHARTER.
State of Louisiana, Parish of st. Martin.


that on this fifteenth day of July eighteen hun
dred and ninety seven
Before me Omer Martin. duly qualified No
tary public. in and for the Parish of st. Martin
and in presence of undersigned witnesses;
Personally appeared the persons whose names
are herein set forth. to wit, Richard Kane. Nu-
ma Payne. Albert Smith. Frank Wheelright, Ro-
by Wheelright, Pinky Wheelright. Allen Single
ton. Henry Thomas Elisa Smith, Belle Smith.
Calvin Smith, Anna Smith. Alite Thomas, Nelly
Thomas. Victorine Thomas, Victoria Thomas.
Fanny Savoy. Thomas Sicily, Alice Martinez,
Joseph wilkins, Steven Taylor. Percy Jackson,
Hosalie Thomas, Jane Smith. Clintonia Payne,
Iandonia Jenkins. Joseph Thomas. Alice
wheelright. Esteile Thomas. Alfred Thomas,
Miles Wheelright. Louisa Williams, Noe Jack
son, Sara Sam, Ella Taylor. Ashmsn Taylor.
Ago Netty, Emma Gillams, Mary Kane, Leila
Kane, Willie Ward. Ella Ward. Washington
Oghman. Josephine Whitened, Sally Thorn.
Mary Smith, Webster Alex. May Enar, Lizzie 4.
Enar Edgar Enar. Leon Enar and such others
as may hereafter become associated with them,
all Of this parish and state. who say and declare
that, by virtue of the authority and privilege
granted by the statutes of this State. it is their
wish. intent and disire. that they and others
who are now, who may hereafter become
members of this congregation be and are here
by constituted body Corporate and Religious,
under the name and title of the "BETHLE-
HEME BAPTIST CHURCH No L. of the Fifth
Ward Of the Parish of St Martin.
| Ist That under said title. said hsdy corpo-
rate shall have, by their corporate name and
style, succession of officers, associates and
members. for ever. shall be capable in law to
possess convey and enjoy all species OF proper
ty, movable and immovable. besides the lot of
of land donated to them by Messrs Walker and
Mcyey whereon they now constructing their
church, to make any contracts, to received any
donations, to sue and be sued, and generally
shall have all powers incident to OF necessary
for it's good administration. although not herein
expressly mentioned.
End. That the objects and purposes of this
corporation is and shall ever be true worship OF
the ALMIGHTY GOD. and its principles arr
and shall be the teachings Of religion, Moralit,
and Charity.
srd. The domicile of this corporation shall
be in the parish of 81. Martin. Louisiana
ltb. That said corporation shall lie admins
tered by board of Nine Trustees, who shall b
members of this congregation. and who shall b.
elected for the term of one year. until elected
the following members of this corporation shal
composed said board, viz; Richard Kane. JohI
Wheelright. Albert Smith. Frank Smith, Wash
ington Oghman, Allen Singleton, Calvin Smith
Steven Taylor. That an election for trustee
shall be held soon as practible, notice of salt
election to be given fifteen days previous there
| L Al v.
sth. That all the members OF this corpora
ton, male OF woman, who shall profess to wor
ship under the rules and by laws of this corpo
ration shall be qualified voters at any election
provided they are over ten years Of age. Tn
trustees shall be elected by the plurality of tn
votes cast and said trustees shall elect amongs
themselves president, a secretary and treasr
rer. who shall hold office at the pleasure of tn
board. Said treasurer to furnish bond as ma
be fixed from time to time by said board Thu
said board of trustees shall adopt bylaws an
rules and regulations for the good administr,
ton Of said corporation. That said treasure
shall not disburse any money of the corpor,
! ton except upon the written authorization
the President
9Th. That the funds of this corporation sha
never be applied to any other but Religion
Charitable or Educational purposes. The pr
perry of the association shall never be ALLEVIATE
except by two thirds vote Of the regular men
bers of this corporation and no person shall
a member Of this corporation unless his nan
shall he subscribed either to this charter or
the record book to DO kept of the minutes of Il
association and board of trustees.
It'll. That by two thirds vote of all II
members of this corporation this charter ma
be amended; provided that notice thereof
posted in church for at least thirty days befo
the taking of said vote. That said board shs
elect their own ministers and remove or su
pend them at will.
Thus done and passed at st. Martin paris
Louisiana ON the date aforesaid. in presence
Messrs. w. T.. Walker and d. W. Upton, comp
tent witnesses of lawful age. who have sign,
these presents with appearers and me notar
after due reading thereof.
Some of the persons who have made their @
binary mark having declared that they dor
- know how to sign their names.
Ella Ward Washington Oghma
Victorine Thomas Nelly Thomas
Alice Thomas Fanny Savoie
Percy x Jackson Rosalie Thomas
Contonia Payne Sara Sam
Lizzie Enar Edgard Enar
Ashman Taylor Thomas Sicily
Richard Kane Frank Smith
Numa Payne Albert Smith
Mary Kane Emma ChindersOn
E.A. Chanissou John Wheelright
.. Mary Wheelright Robbie Willry
Willie H. Ward Pinky Willry
w. Singleton Henry Thomas
Elisa Smith Calvin Smith
u.-luu:. VocLsua Hnpua Smith