The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1897-08-28
CHARTER.
State of Louisiana, Parish Of 81. 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
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.
Roealie Thomas, Jane Smith. Cintonia 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
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
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 arc hero
by constituted body Corporate and Religious.
under the name and title Of the "BETHLE-
HEME BAPTIST CHURCH No I" Of the Fifth
Ward Of the Parish Of g. Martin.
Ist That under said title, said body corpo-
rate shall have, BY their corporate name and
style. succession Of oficers. 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
Money whereon they are now constructing their
church. to make any contracts, to received any
donations. to sue and be sued. and generally
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 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 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
whselright. Albert Smith. Frank Smith. Wash
ington Oghman. Allen Singleton. Calvin Smith,
steven Tsylor. That an election for trustees
H. ~nl - .>:l
election to be given fifteen days previous there
of by posting notice at the church, door.
Nh. 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 a president, secretary and tfeasu-
rer. who shall hold Office at the pleasure of The
board. Said treasurer to furnish bond ~ may
ba fixed from time to time by said board. That
said board Of trustees shall adopt bylaws and
rules and regulations for the good administers
ton of said corporation. That said treasurer
shall not disburse amy money of the corpora
ton except upon the written authorization Of
the President.
9Th. That the funds Of this corporation shall
never be applied to any other but Religious.
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 be
a member Of this corporation unless his name
shall be subscribed either TO this charter or to
the record book to be kept of the minutes of the
association and board Of trustees.
7th. That by a two thirds vote of all the
members of this corporation this charter may
be amended; provided that notice thereof be
posted in church for ut 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 aud passed at st. Martin parish,
Louisiana on the date aforesaid. in presence of
Messrs. w. e. Walker and d. W. Upton. compe-
tent witnesses of lawful age. who have sisned
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 Oghman
victorine Thomas Nelly Thomas
Alice Thomas Fanny 6avoie
Percy Jackson Resale Z Thomas
Contonia Payne Sara Sam
Liszie Enar Edgard Enar
Ashman Taylor Thomas Sicily
Richard Kane Frank Smith
Numa Payne Albert Smith
Mary Kane Emma Chinderson
Z. A. Chanisson John Z Wheelright
Mary Whselrisht Robbie Willry
Willie II. Ward Pinky Willy
w. Singleton Henry Z Thomas
Elisa Smith Calvin Smith