The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-22
NEGRO CHURCH SPLIT.
The Conference at WnycrOss Pro-
muIgntes a Plan of settlement.

mulgntes a Plan of settlement.
Waycross, Ga, Dec. 21-The thirty-sec-
ond session of the Georgia annual con-
ference of the African Methodist Episco-
pal church adjourned this morning at .
o'clock, Right Rev. H. M. Turner, D. D.,
Ii. D., D. c. L. bishop, presiding. Right
Rev. NJ. B. Salter, associate bishop.
The committee appointed to investigate
the status of and to adjust certain diff
ficulties existing in ST. Philips African
Methodist Episcopal church of Savannah,
Ca, a church under the jurisdiction of
said conference, after careful consider
alton of all the facts submitted reported
the following:
81, We find that the real estate of the
present site of old st. Phillips church, To-
Gated on New street. Savannah, under and
by virtue of a certain trust deed dated
July IS, 1856 executed between Mcpherson
B. Millen, party of the first part, and Par
ish Dunmore, Jacob Godfrey, Augustus
Said and others, parties of the second
part, as trustees of the African Methodist
Episcopal church of Savannah, Ga, and
their successors in trust, was conveyed 10
said trustees of the African Methodist
Episcopal church, together with all and
singular the tenements. houses, privileges
and appurtenances theTeunto belonging, in
trust, that said trustees should erect or
cause to be erected thereon house or
place of worship for the use of the mem
bers of the African Methodist Episcopal
church, in the United States of America,
according to the rules and discipline of
said church, which, from time to time,
may be agreed upon by the lawful repre-
sentatves of said church at their general
conference. And in further trust and con-
fidence that they should at all times for
ever thereafter permit such ministers and
preachers belonging to said denomination
as shall from time to time be duly author
lied by proper authority to preach and eX-
pound the Lords holy word and conduct
religious services therein.
"2. We find that on or about Sept
49, 1896, the church edifice was greatly
damaged by a storm. The question of the
ACCESSIBILITY of rebuilding on the old site
or moving to a new locality produced a
division of sentiment, part of the society,
with the pastor, Rev. l.. H. Smith, with
drawing from the old site and purchasing
a new church site on West Broad and
Charles street, another branch of the So
ciety preferring to remain in possession
of the property on New street.
49, We find that a bitter and un.
christian feeling was engendered between
these two factions. We are convinced,
however, that much of the evil which has
resulted from this feeling could have been
avoided and both strengthened and placed
upon a firmer foundation had the wise
counsel and wholesome advice of the pre-
siding bishop, Rt. Rev. II. NJ. Turner, been
adhered to.
-. We find that in accordance with
a resolution passed at IA meeting of the
congregation of ST. Philips church, the
trustees, together with the pastor, did. on
or about the first day of February. 1897
purchase from the trustees of Trinity
Methodist Episcopal church of Savannah
Ga, their church property for the sum of
5000, of which amount they paid 5000
cash and gave mortgage for the balance
of the purchase price. payable at the rate
of $1,000 per annum, with interest.
20. Since the purchase of the new
site the pastor, Rev. L.. II. Smith, the
trustees and part Of the congregation
have continued to worship in said newly
purchased property, and have not endeav-
ored to improve or rebuild upon the old
site OF the church damaged by the storm.