The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-07-29
IRWIN SUSPENDED
BY CHURCH COURT
May God Have Mercy
Upon You," Reads Ver-
dict of Presbyterian Jury
REFUSES TO COMMENT
Gives Notice Of Appeal, How
ever; Brother Minister Is
to Be His Counsel

py tho Associated Press
LAWTOE, July 2s. Convicted e.
a secret trial on the widely heralded
bathing suit" charge and allega'
,lous OF perjury and high handed
d.-rIplining of members of his flock
fbe REV. Thomas j. Irwin. former
uastor of the Lawton Presbyterian
rburch was suspended as minister
NJ the Presbyterian church In the
limited States early today by the
judicial commission OF the FL Reno
Etcsbytery.
N"You are indefinitely suspended
a, minister of the Presbyterian
church, United States OF America
and may the Lord have mercy or
YOU" read the verdict OF the trial
body.
The expulsion of irwin from
the ministry came as the climax ia
episodes growing out of a bitter
controversy in the Lawton church.
Appeals to Synod.
The convicted minister gave no.
tice to the trial commission OF an
appeal to the synod of Oklahoma,
the next higher body in the church.
The synod is expected to meet in
October.
Irwin was found guilty OF
conduct unbecoming minister In
performing a marriage ceremony
last summer at Medicine park, re-
4 sort near here In which the princi-
epes, including minister, wore bath
ing suits II was alleged the wedding
was conducted in spirit Of revelry.
bringing disrepute upon the church.
He was convicted of having sworn
70. zA al, a
trict court Injunction restraining in
reference with his conduct OF the
affairs Of the Lawton church.
The third count on which his
Jurors voted guilty was that he dis
cplined members OF his congregation
without due process as provided by
church regulations. Rigid secrecy
was maintained as TO the trial pro-
ceedings, although 1t Is known that
a number OF members and former
members of the Lawton church
were called TO testify.
Refuses 10 Comment
Irwin on advice of his counsel
refused 10 comment on the verdict.
He had previously announced. how
ever. that he would carry the issue
even to the general assembly OF the
Presbyterian church IL the outcome
OF his trial was adverse.
Irwin conducted his own de-
tense at the trial. having been de-
MED the right of counsel.
II was announced that he had
filed a motion during the proceed
ings asking disqualification OF two
members OF the commission, ]. r..
McQuown and j. II. Webb, alleging
bias and unfairness. The motion was
Overruled
The suspended minister faces trial
In the district court here on an arson
charge flied by the county attorney
after an investigation of an alleged
incendiary fire In the Lawton church
last April, while Irwin was still
pastor. II is alleged that the mo-
tive was-to gain sympathy in the
fight he was waging against one
section OF his congregation. on the
other hand, Irwin attributed the
fire to enemies seeking to destroy
his church.
Was "Kidnaped" Twice.
Interrupting the pyrotechnics OF
the bitter church row this spring.
Irwin was found in the country
on two occasions suffering from at
tacks made by alleged abduCtors.
After an investigation OF one the
hlltbtu Aflt county at
torney announced that he would
drop the case as information he
gathered tended toward the theory
that the minister framed the kid
naping."
Irwin declared that men who
had threatened his life IL he did not
leave Lawton were at the bottom
OF the reported attacks. Much OF the
III feeling In the Lawton congrega-
ton Is said to have been engendered
because Irwin's strong friend
ship for the late Jake l. Hamon of
Ardmore. national republican COM
mitteeman from Oklahoma for
whose murder Clara Smith Hamon
was acquitted. Hamon contributed
generously to Idwin's church
and built an annex in which he in
stalled motion picture apparatus
which was used by Irwin, Ger