The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-05
DOORS OF CHURCH
BARRED TO FLOCK
Practitioners Are Locked Out
When They Interfere With
Pastor.
CASE IS TAKEN TO COURT
Rev. Hugh r. Williams, Colorcd,
Charged With Misappro-
priating Funds.

church padlocked against its fold
is the story written III the shcnycs of
Il petition for receiver for the iooun
tain Baptist Church (colorcd), located
III thirty first and q Streets, ana for
I'm Injunction against the pastor. the
iSeN. iiuSh u. Williams, filed yestcr-
daS III tho Chancery Court ny Daniel
Allen and a large delegation from the
original flock. 1t is rccitcd in mo
paper that tho pastor has run the
'hurch to suit his fancy, and ii is
openly stated that the petitioners be-
ieVe nina 10 have converted to his per
s"nai profit the finances contributed
weekly by the faithful. The complain
ants, IT is alleged, constitute a ma
tority of the fold, and they tell n lonu
story OF how they have attempted 10
follow the teucts Of their faith. ana to
conduct the church according 10 IIap-
list principles. but have ever been
prevented by the pulpiteer.
Henrini, Is Postponed.
Inc plaintiffs arc represented by
smith x Gordon, and the pastor and
ms aoherents arc represented by At
lolney l.. q. Wcndenburg. On account
OF his legislative duties, NIr Weudcn-
burg asked for a postponement of tho
nearing on tho petition, and stay WAS
granted To March 20 In tho mean
while. the petitioners viii continue, as
thcy have been doing since the doors
OF their own church were padlocl<ed
against them, to worship in some other
sanctuary.
rue petition nnrrates that tho Rev.
Hugh Il. Williams has been pastor Of
the Fountain Baptist Church for some
years, and that up TO April Il, loi-l, lac
handled all the funds Of The church
10 SUIT himself On that date the
paper continues. the congregations
adopted resolution that all tile
money he turned over TO the treasurer.
and that all moneys lie paid out over
the signature OF the clerk. the order
to bc signed then by the pastor. This
order was obcycd until August, Ial3.
when the pastor refused to sign an or
der, because the orEanSt had not been
paid In full
The congregation then adopted am
other resolution. to the effect that the
clerk should hold all papers ana uocu-
mcnts and use the seal of the church
instead Of the pastors signature In
! making out orders for payments The
pastor, ii is alleged, refused TO attend
these congregational meetings, aud OH
January called a special meeting oil
his adhcrents aud expelled several OF
the plaintiffs, among them being the
sexton. eleven dcacons and seven ush
ers. Then lie and lis cohorts elected
other officers, and reelected the old
orEanist, one Matilda j. Holmes.
l Doors Arc Hurried.
/ On January z. 1914, prayer me citing
night. the plaintiffs were dismay"d To
/ mud that some OF the doors had been
padlocked and others nailed up. so tina,
they could not gain entrance Ia the
church. Rather than create further
disturbance or violate the peace. they
went outside 10 worship.
/ The petition further relates TINT tho
church building cost $4,000 and that
the ola Dominion Trust Company holds
n deed OF trust TO the property. and
That Il note for $3.50 becomes due ON
| April IS. Under the terms Of the deed
OF trust the property may be sold In
default Of payment Of amy note, and
tho petitioners claim that the defend
ants Will bc unable To meet the note
The plaintiffs state that they VIII lie
able 10 make the payment when the
note falls due. Practically the entire
congregation is involved ia the case