The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1897-08-21
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, No
ma Payne, Albert Smith, Frank Wheelright, 10
by Wheelright, Pinky Wheelright, Allen Single
ton, Henry Thomas, Elisa Smith. Belle Smith,
Calvin Smith, Anna Smith. Alice Thomas, Nelly
Thomas, victoriDe Thomas, Victoria Thomas.
Fanny Savoy, Thomas Sicily. Alice Martinez,
Joseph wilkins. Steven Taylor. Percy Jackson
Rosalie Thomas, Jane Smith, Clintonia 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 +.
Enar, Edgar Enar. Leon Enar and such others
a 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 1t is their
who are 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-
HEME 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 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
~. movable and immovable. besides the lot OF
of land donated to them by Messrs. Walker and
| McVey whereon they are 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 be the teachings Of religion. Morality
and Charity.
srd. The domicile of this corporation shall
be in the parish Of st. Martin. Louisiana
lth. That said corporation shall be admins
tered by board Of Nine Trustees, who shall bt
members Of this congregation, and who shall bt
elected for the term of one year. until elected
the following members of this corporation shall
composed said board, viz; Richard Kane. Johr
Wheelright. Albert Smith. Frank Smith. Wash
ipgton Oghman, Allen Singleton, Calvin Smith
Steven Taylor. That an election for trustees
shall be held as soon as practible, notice OF sait
election 70 be given fifteen days previous there
Of by posting notice at the church's door.
sth. 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. Tn
trustees shall be- elected by the plurality Of tn
votes cast and said trustees shall elect, amongs
themselves a president. a secretary and treasu
rer. who shall hold Office at the pleasure Of tn
board. Said treasurer to furnish bond as ma
b. fixed from time to time by said board. Tha
= said board of trustees shall adopt bylaws an
rules and regulations for the good administers
ton of said corporation. That said treasure
shall not disburse any money of the corpors
ton except upon the written authorization Q
the President.
9Th. That the funds Of this corporation sha
never be applied to any other but Religion
Charitable or Educational purposes. The pre-
perty of the association shall never be ALLEVIATE
except by a two thirds vote Of the regular men
hers of this corporation and no person shall
= a member of this corporation unless his nam
shall be subscribed either to this charter or
the record book to he kept of the minutes OF u
association and board of trustees.
7th. That by two thirds vote OF all th
| members of this corporation this charter ms
be amended: provided that notice thereof
posted in church for at least thirty days befol
the taking Of said vote. That said board sha
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 I
Messrs. w. e. Walker and d. w. Upton. comp
tent witnesses of lawful age, who have signe
these presents with appearers and me notar
after due reading thereof.
Sone of the persons who have made their o
binary mark having declared that they dor
know how to sign their names.
Ella Ward Washington Oghmal
victorine Thomas Nelly K Thomas
Alice Thomas Fanny Savoie
Percy jackson ROsalie Thomas
Contonis Payne Sara Sam
Lizzie Enar Edgard Enar
Ashmsn Taylor Thomas Sicily
Richard Kane Frank Smith
Numa Payne Albert Smith
Mary Kane Emma Chinderson
E.A Chanisson John Wheelright
:. Mary WAeelright Robbie Willry
Willie H. Ward Pinky Willry