New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-21
BAPTIST CHURCH IN TROUBLE.
INJUNCTION PAPERS SERVED AND A RE-
CEIvER APPLIED FOR

CHURCH FTNDS-THE OTHER
SIDE REPLIES IN KIND.
There is trouble In the congregation Of the First
Free-Will Baptist Church, and one part OF the con-
gregation served papers on the representatives Of
the other part yesterday, enjoining them from dis
posing Of or In any way interfering with the prop
erty of the church.
The complainant is Frederick Il. Close one Of the
church trustees who is represented by Daniel T.
Kmball. lawyer. of No. $50 Broadway The lat
ter Yesterday obtained behalf Of his client
temporary injunction from Justice Lawrence Of the
Supreme Court, and the papers were served on
Thomas j. Barnaby. the treasurer Of the church.
and on Silas c. judd the secretary. These are
made passive defendants. as although they repre-
sent the church officers, they said TO be on
the side of the plaintiff The real defendants on
whom endeavors were also made last night 10 serve
papers with partial success. were the Rev. John
W. Kjelgaard. the pastor of the church; John H.
Russell president Of the Board of Trustees, ana
Peter Hessey. the Boards secretary.
The First Free-Wlll Baptist Church IS an inde-
pendent organization although It is a member OF
the Central Association of Free-Will Baptst
Churches. 1t founded in 1850, and owned a
church in Twenty -hfth-st.. near Seventh-ave. Inc
congregation decided TO sell the church ana III
March 1895, did so, TO the coored Bethany Church
for $4,000 There was a mortgage of $4,000 on the
church. and this the purchasers paid of, giving d
mortgage for the remaining $4,000 10 the FORMER
owner. the First Fiee-Will Baptist Church ~ -
this money over which part of the congregation ID
quarrelng. Since the sale OF the cnuiCn INV
congregation has been worshipping every Suhua! III
the Grand Opera House.
Mr. kimba. counsel for the piaintit, oeciaieu i's'
night that the action was not only one LOT per
manent Injunction, but included also an apphca-
ton for the appointment of a receiver The com
planant, Mr. Close, in his complaint charged 'ha'
the pastor the. president OF the Board OF Trustees
and the secretary OF the Board had Appropriated
church moneys for their own use and had also enc
tered into conspiracy 10 obtain for themselves the
balance OF the church properly. worth about $'oVo'
The specific charge in the complaint Is that on or
abou, October Is last they wrongfully and fraud
ulently collected without the authority OF the
church. $50 interest money due TO the churcn on
the mortgage previously referred to, and that they
insisted on keeping this sum, refusing 10 tu''
1t over to the treasurer OF the church. Thomas j.
fendants also erased the names OF 100 members
from the rolls Of ne ehT bs b whUu1 of other
persons placed upon the rolls who were not emu,
is alleged. SO that the plaintiffs would be placed in
the minority. and thereby be unable 10 bring ABOUT
It's properly Being sqaandered 1t Is further charged
that the pastor was engaged AT the exra9raina5iy
ton that he would devote his entire time 10 the
duties Of the church but that since his apponmen,
he has accepted another place outside the church
at salary, OF 1920 year and further ina, ne
a SALARY Of z" TN MONTH It is nay charged that
because OF the alleged illegal methods Of me ID, de
cuties have arisen among the congregation a
number Of afidavits accompany the Application Ihe
case is scheduled 10 come up In court on NoVein-
Der "a.
John H. Russell. president OF the Board OF Trus-
tees who is made one Of the defendants. seen
last night. and said: We sold the church because
were running behind. Mr.. Barnaby. the treas,
urer, had peculiar IDEAS about drawing checks II
the Board OF Trustees wanted money Tor churci
purposes the treasurer would draw blank check;
He would not All IT In until We had signed II and
he had taken 1t TO the bank His excuse was thai
If he filled II In before that he might lose ~ ana
the finder might profit thereby. The Board finally
passed resolution ordering J. r Gurnsey VINO re-
half OF the church. not TO pay 1t to the treasure.
but TO the BoardA Mr.. Barnaby got angry AT TINS
about a month ago and hence the present action;
But Will beat these people In the courts ana
I'm relation to the $3.50. Mr.. Gurnsey collected ms
amount and paid II over to the BOARD. VI ttis
sum we gave 1900 TO the pastor on account OF me
salary due to him, and we also advanced MN .1g
on account as he was III and about to go away for
his health We also gave the assistant pastor the
Rev Mr. Benhaur. $50 on account. -
after the old church was sold ana the cohgrega-
ton received as It's share OF the p9r tI e IN his
mortgage. OF this sum $500 is now w the saESf ,
hank The balance Of the money used was IeRa!y
expended. and will be fully accounted ior al '"e
THE Rev Mr. Kjelgaard came originally from
rennevlva mia Before he became pastor OF the
church he was superintendent OF the LABOR Bureau
~ the Society for Improving the CONDITION OF lle
Poor He retained this place after ne DE- a., 20
and II enabled him TO obtain employment loi NIP
members when they were In need OF III hnHe ~ q,
nnbed for the pastor and he will be home IN
day or two | have also communiCa'e,m WIN WIN tle
OF course. Will hold services as us"'' " "
nd House.