Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1916-01-17
CHURCH LOCKED AGAINST PASTOR
Put On Door Saturday Night Without Knowledge of
Pastor Dennis-He Issues Statement the Situation

Those of the board Of trustees and
deacons of Mt. Calvary Baptist church
who said after the stormy meeting of
Friday night that Rev. J.. II. Dennis
should not preach at the church on
Sunday evidently spoke by the book.
Neither he nor anyone else occupied
the pulpit, nor were there any services
at the church on Sunday.
At IL O'Clock, the time announced
for the regular morning service, the
only signs Of life about the church
was a group OF half dozen children
OF the nefghborhood wagihg a merry
SNOWFALL battle on the front steps. At
their backs was the front door, held
fast shut with a brand new hasp,
staple and paddock put on during Sat-
urday night and LETT locked there to
give its silent warning that all who
came might read
A minute or two before IL one menu
Der of the congregation of co1ored
people appeared, took a look at the
locked door and went away to te1e-
phone to police headquarters to ask
Chief George Linton what rights he
had about taking the paddock Off He
was advised to leave it alone, and he
did so.
the church appeared during the day,
as 1t seemed to be generally known
that there would be no service.
The first that the pastor, Rev. Mr..
Dennis, knew that the church was
locked against him and that he
couldn't get in, as he had no key, was
late Saturday evening, when someone
came to his house, having seen the
paddock on the door. They couldn't tell
who put it there, nor had he learned
UP to Sunday night.
After finding that he was locked out
of the church he came to police head
quarters Saturday night with Ambrose
H. Wilson to report the matter and
ask what his rights were about get
ting the paddock off and gaining en-
trance to the church, Captain D. c..
Twomey advised him that he had bet
ter consult a lawyer.
The deacons of the church hold that
the meeting held Friday night was
legal one and that the vote on the
question of declaring the pulpit vacant
was 40 yea and 16 nay, so that 1t was
legally carried.
Rev MIR. Dennis went to Whitman
tic on Sunday evening with Mr.. Will
son, where he preached at the mission
conducted by Mt. Calvary church, and
he also officiated at communion SER
vice. The mission in Willimantic is in
a prosperous condition, with its mem
the pastor, it is understood.
Statement by Rev. J. n. Dennis.
With reference to the meeting in
the church on Friday night, Rev. ]. H.
Dennis, the pastor, made the following
statement on Sunday evening:
All of the meetings called by the
board of deacons and trustees were
Illegal. They have not resorted to one
principle, that characterizes the Bap-
fist church. All business and special
meetings at any time must be by the
consent of the pastor and deacons, or
by such methods as the church di-
reefs. The pastor is moderator of all
bushes meetings. The board can
not call meeting and act as q sep
arate body, without the consent of the
pastor and the church. This they
have done some seven times, and even
appointed committees at these meet
ings to wait on the pastor, They
are simply the pastors cabinet and
helpers. Their sphere of work is to
care for the poor, the sick and serve
the communion, and look after temp
Qualities of the church. These they
have never done during my five years
stay and for four months they have
even left their posts as deacons, not
even serving the communion, which
makes them covenant breakers and
subject to the discipline of the church.
According to the church (EIiscox' 81
manual: each member without excep-
ton is expected to fill his place in the
church by attendance on his appoint
ments as Providence may allow. Also
to contribute Of his means for the pc