The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1897-07-17
SATURDAY. July II, 1897.
CHARTER.
State of Louisiana. Parish Of st. Martin.

BY this act Of Incorporation, Be il Known,
that on this fifteenth day of July eighteen hun
dred and ninety seven.
Before me Omer Martin, a duly qualified No
tnSy public. in and for the Parish Of st. Martin
and in presence of undersigned witnesses;
Personally appeared the persons whose names
ere herein set forth. TO wit, Richard Kane, Nu-
ma Payne. Albert Smith. Frank Wheelright, Ro-
by Wheeiright. 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. Clintonis Payne.
Landonia Jenkins. Joseph Thomas. Alice
Wheelrght. 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
Oghman. Josephine Whitened, Sally Thorn.
Mary Smith, Webster Alex. May Enar. Lizzie E.
Enar, Edgar Enar. Leon Ennr 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. or who may hereafter become
members of this congregation, be and are here
by constituted a 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 81. Martin, Louisiana
9Th. That said corporation shall be admins
tered by a board OF Nine Trustees. who shall be
members Of this congregation, and who shall be
elected for the term of one year. until elected
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 soon as practible 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 amongs,
themselves president. secretary and treasu.
rer. who shall hold Office at the pleasure of the
board. Said treasurer to furnish bond rs maj
be fixed from time to time by said board. That
said board Of trustees shall adopt bylaws and
rules and regulations for. the good administra
ton of said corporation. That said treasurer
shall not disburse any money of the corpora.
ton except upon the written authoriz stiop oi
the President.
9Th. That the funds of this corporation shall
never be applied TO any other bot Reliaious
Charitable or Educational purposes. The pro-
perry of the association shall never be alienated
except by two thirds vote of the regular mem
bers Of this corporation and no person shall bs
member Of this corporation unless his name
shall be subscribed either to this charter or tc
the record book to be kept of the minutes of the
association and board Of trustees.
rI.sl 81.
members of this corporation this charter may
be amended; provided that notice thereof be
posted in church for at least thirty days before
the taking of said vote. That said board shall
elect their own ministers and remove or sus-
pend them at will.
Thus done and passed at st. Martin parish
Louisiana on the date aforesaid. in presence OF
Messrs. W. l.. Walker and d. w. Upton. compe-
tent witnesses of lawful age, who have signed
these presents with appearers and me notary
after due reading thereof.
Some of the persons who have made their or
binary mark having declared that they don't
know how TO sign their names.
Ella Ward Washington Oshmsn
Victorine Thomas Nelly K Thomas
Alice Thomas Fanny Savoie
Percy Jackson Rosalie Thomas
Contonia Payne Sara Sam
Lizzie Enar Edgard Enar
Ashman Taylor Thomas Sicily
Richard K Kane Frank,emith
Numa Payne AlberfHmith
Mary Kane Emma Chinderson
4. A. Chanisson Johnx Wheelrisht
Mary Wheelright' Robbie Willry
Willie II. Ward Pinky Willry
W. Singleton Henry 4 Thomas