The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-04-18
PASTOR EXPLAINS
MOVING Of CHURCH

There has been quite a deal Of mis-
apprehension and criticism of the pro-
posed changing Of the location of ths
Cavalry Baptist church and in reply
to the criticisna Rev. Carter Ashtsn
Jenkens, pastor Of the Calvary Bap-
tIst church. has the following to say.
The article in today's Ttmes-Dts-
patch relate to the meeting Of Wed
nesday night contains misleading
statements that do Calvary Baptist
church serious injustice The ac-
count stated four deacons applied Tor
tnsir letters Of dismission. They 70
signed as officers, but did not ask for
letters This created no surprise. for
they had led in the efforts to keep
the church from moving. The ar
.isie also says. There is reported ~
be some bitterness over the action
taken. reversing a former cnnxrega-
.t5nal meeting, when IL was deter
M ned not to move from the present
location Last July the church voted
70 move by the majority OF seventy-
seven to nine. That question has
never been voted upon since. The
meeting referred to Was one called
to accept tire committees report upon
the lot in question.
The opposition to the move drag
ged people into the meeting who ara
members, but who had neither COM
trihuted nor attended the church In
months, except, perhaps. once or
twice upon special occasions Be-
cause Of this fact, the question Of pur-
chasing the lot was voted down BY II
small majority about one hundred
being present in ALT The report aiso
states: There WAS an active canvass
OF the West End members to bring
out the vote. There was Huf 1T
il be said there was a more active
canvass hy the opposition to bring
out the vote. And members OF the
downtown district. who never think
Of attending Worship of tina church.
were out In numbers.
The article also states that the lot
was purchased simply as preparations
for the future. The fact is that Cali
vary property In now for sale. and an
soon as reasonable offer liz made
the church viii meet to accept TX and
erect the new building Immediately.
The article also bears this mis-
representation; Several have already
applied for such letters to Grace
Street. Second or Grove Avenue
churches. Nine letters were asked
for TO Second church. These were
the only ones requested as the result
of the vote to purchase the lot
couple OF weeks ago letter was Ask
ed for by a member To join Grace
Street Az the same time two letters
were applied for at Grace Street u
unite with Calvary. And already let
tiers have been sought. and In same
instances secured. from four BapttAk
churches of Richmond 10 unite with
the church I'm the rev locality.
About sixty have signifsed their in-
tsnfion to become members OF Cali
vary. now that she will soon move.
And this question is not one ct =
years standing. bat many years The
church has a smaller aet3ve member
ship today than 1t had fisfeen years
age. The former pastor desired the
nioying OF the church and II wAA
voted down. To tive, the church
must move. Eighty per cent OF the
white Baptist churches are located
where only twenty per cent OF tins
Baptlsts list. And no member Is be~
ing left without aomr Baptist church
nearby"
CARTER ASHTON JEsNKESs.
Pastor.