The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-08
THE PASTORS REPLY.
Rev. Mr. Murray Speaks for the Allen
Chapel A. Nj. e. Church.

of the Allen Chapel A. M E. Church. makes
statement in regard to complaint filed
with the Bears of Safety by several. near
Dy residents. He first calls attention to the
fact that the church has been on that site
thlrty-one years, the colored people locat-
ing 1t there when the locality was a duck
pond and no residences were near it, He
cites this to show, even to those prejudiced
against the race, that the colored people
have claim to priority of location. Con-
tinuing, he says:
i wish to reply to an article found in
yesterday mornings paper under the cap
ton or Church Disturbs Them, through
which 1t is claimed that bitter trouble be-
tween the congregation of Allen Chapel, a
colored church on Broadway near Eleventh
street, and the residents of the district ex-
lists, and that they were arraying against
each other; that the latter, providing them
selves with police powers, would undoubted-
ly defeat the former, and that the gallant
church forces must go down in defeat. If
God Is dead then we are defeated. A
synopsis of the petition that was filed with
the Board of Safety by the outraged resi-
dents is appended: We, the undersigned
respectfully petition your honorable body to
give US special police protection at Allen
Chapel, colored church situated near the
corner Of Broadway and Eleventh street.
We wish to say in answer to their APP
peal that we have a special policeman who
takes care of our church. Therefore, we do
not wish their assistance as to the church.
Iney may protect their homes, but we Will
care for Allen Chapel. They also say that
they have been greatly annoyed by colored
people assembling about the church-that is
they hold concerts and festivals and SUD-
pers and assemble on the sidewalk dance,
and sing, and swear, and keep the people
in the neighborhood awake until after mid
nearly ese.y week, ard we feel that it has
become a neghborhOod nuisance, and we
certainly would appreciate the favor if your
honorable body would give us special po-
lice protection to break this disturbance
and nuisance which has rendered our neigh
borhood place for coored people to as
semble and riot. We most respectfully pc
tition your honorable body to give us this
relief at once.
"If the church has become such
nuisance why was it that one of it's resi-
dents sought its support few months ago
when he was striving for prominent posi-
ton in the municipality of the city? If it
has become such a nuisance why did the w.
G. T. u. of the city seek a meeting in it in
common with the other city churches? If
it has become such nuisance why does its
Sunday school and services rank with the
other Sunday schools and churches through
out the State, white people themseles pro-
nouncing 1t thus? NO, it's not the dancing.
and the singing, and swearing, as stated
in the petition, that's a bane to them, but
1t is colored church located on a popular
thoroughfare that hurts. They would rather
see us congregate in some alley or out in
some by-way than on street for divine
worship. The real estate men are saying.
You can't rent this or that house on
prominent street Why? Not because you
haven't the money, but because you are col
ored, and the sentiment is becoming so
prominent that one of the petitioners would
close Allen Chapels doors If he could be-
cause the people who congregate in it are
colored. We are thankful for one thing
that this government allows people to serve
the Lord as they please The Salvation
Army can march in the street. sing and
beat their drums undsturbed, and we will
worship in our church, by the help of the
Lord, in defiance of their petition. We are
on Broadway TO stay, and they had just as
Ioft oil Tbe n MT 70
the church has been growing ever since it
was remodeled, when they ascertained that
we couldn't be duped out of our property
All negroes are not fools. if we are shrouded
with ebony hue. The persons receiving
special police powers will do we'll if they
Chanel policemen will look after the above
named church.
I'm the same article 1 notice that Mr.
down his barbed wire fence several times
and that to prevent them from tearing 1t
down he. had added to its strength fresh
paint each time. The thing is untrue on the
face of its assertion because there never
existed a 'barbed wire fence between the
church and Mr.. Rheinschild's property. And
wife-left that home for the unknown cline
Of the redeemed was there ever complaint
from that home about colored church. 1t
was her delight and joy to lie in the window
and listen to the songs of Christian people
and I am delighted to note that the same
courses through the veins of his daughter
when she objected to her father being vest
ed with the power of a special policeman &c
protect the church-so-called 1t is a ray
of consolation to note that amid many who
hate our prosperity. as a race. there are
some who still continue to be true to their
trust We have endeavored as pastor and
officers, to maintain the best of order in the
church and out of it. realizing the great mis-
sion of the church to lift up humanity and
not to degrade ii. But from the words of
the residents we are degrading. No more
could be said of a saloon than they have
said of the church Hereafter, If they will
attend to their business. we will be found
attending to ours.
1T is also alleged that we begin service
so late-that is much later than the white
people do. Why? First, we answer we are
poor. Why are we poor? Let 240 years
from the sleeping centuries answer, that
have enriched another class. who now frown
In disdain upon us. Again. our people must
work. AS coachmen and servants. they are
compelled to remain until their work is fin
ished. In the meantime, those for whom
they work are engaged in their service, and
when they are returning these, who were
left at home to finish, are going. 1t is com
pulsion, over which at this time we have no
control. rather than our will that we begin
late. We will watch with eagerness the
names OF any of the petitioners who seek
for any prominence in our city affairs and,
mark sure. the colored voters of Indianapo-
lis will remember them because such an
outrage upon one church of the community