The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1897-07-31
CHARTER.
State of Louisiana, Parish of 81. Martin.

ufeu anu nlnety seven
Before me Omer Martin. a 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. Alice Thomas, Nelly
Thomas. Victorine Thomas, Victoria Thomas.
Fanny Savoy, Thomas Sicily, Alice Martinez,
Joseph wilkins, Steven Taylor, Percy Jackson,
Rosalie Thomas, Jane Smith, Clntonia Payne,
Landonia Jenkins, Joseph Thomas. Alice
wheelright. Estelle Thomas, Alfred Thomas.
Miles Wheelright, Louisa Williams, Noe Jack
son, Sara Sam, Ella Taylor. Ashman Taylor.
Ago Netty. Emma Gillams, Mary Kane, Leila
Kane, Willie Ward, Ella Ward, Washington
Oehman. Josephine Whitened, Sally Thorn.
Mary Smith. Webster Alex, May Enar, Lizzie Z.
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 IF the authority and privilege
granted by the statutes of this State. it is their
wish, intent and disire. that they and others
who now, or 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-
IiEME BAPTIST CHURCH No 1" of the Fifth
Ward of the Parish of st Martin.
list That under said title, said body corpo-
rate shall have, by their corporate 2ame and
style, succession Of officers. associates and
members, for ever, shall be capable in law to
n -
ty, movable and immovable, besides the lot of
Of land donated to them by Messrs. Walker and
McVey 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 or necessary
for its 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 are
and shall he the teachings of religion, Morality
and Charity
3rd. The domicile of this corporation shall
he in the parish of St. Martin. Louisiana.
| 4th. That said corporation shall be admins
tered by board of Nine Trustees. who shall be
members Of this congregation, and who shall be
| titttsu icf 'ht YIN VI ouV scohs until cioescu
| the following members of this corporation shall
composed said board viz; Richard Kane. John
Wheelright. Albert Smith. Frank Smith. Wash
ington Oghman. Allen Singleton, Calvin Smith,
Steven Taylor. That an election for trustees
shall be held as soon as prsctible, notice of said
election to be given fifteen days previous there
of by posting notice at the church's door.
5th. That all the members of this corpora.
ton, male or 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. The
trustees shall be elected by the plurality Of the
votes cast and said trustees shall elect amongst
themselves president, secretary and treasu
rer. who shall hold Office at the pleasure of the
board. Said treasurer 70 furnish bond as ma,
be fixed from time to time by said board. Tha
said board Of trustees shall adopt bylaws ant
rules and regulations for the good sdministra
ton Of said corporation. That said Treasures
shall not disburse any money of the corpora
] ton except upon the written authorization o
the President.
9Th. That the funds 81 this corporation shall
never be applied to any other but Religious
| Charitable or Educational purposes. The pro
perry of the association shall never be alienatet
except by a two thirds vote of the regular mem
| bcrs of this corporation aud no person shall b.
a member Of this corporation unless his nam
shall be subscribed either to this charter or T.
the record book to be kept of the minutes of tn
association and board of trustees.
9TH. That by two thirds vote of all tn
members of this corporation this charter ma
be amended; provided that notice thereof b
posted in church for at least thirty days befor
the taking of said vote. That said board shall
eject their own ministers and remove or sus
pend them at will.
Thus done aud passed at st Martin parish
Louisiana on the date aforesaid, in presence q
Messrs. W. ". Walker and ID. W. Upton. compe
tent Witnesses of lawful age, who have signe
these presents with appearers and me notary
after due reading thereof.
Some of the persons who have made their OF
binary mark having declared that they don
know how to sign their names.
Ella Ward Washington K Oghman
yictorine x Thomas Nelly Thomas
Alice Thomas Fanny * Savoie
Percy Jackson Rosalie K Thomas
| Contonia Payne Sara Sam
Lizzie Enar Edgard Enar
Ashman Taylor Thomas K Sicily
Richard Kane Frank Smith
| Numa Payne Albert Smith
Mary Kane Emma Chinderson
EA. Chanisson John Wheelright
Mary Wheelright Robbie Willry
Willie III. Ward Pinky Willry
w. Singleton Henry Thomas
Elisa Smith Calvin Smith
Japdania x Jenkins Honna Smith
Alice Martinez yno. w. wilkins
Steven Taylor Jane Smith
| Miles Wheelright Louisa Williams
, Illmas Jackson Josephine White