Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1929-09-21
EXPLAINS BARRING NEGROES
IN CHURCH
The Rev. w. S. Blackshear of St. Ma.
thew's, Brooklyn, Says 1t Is a
Matter of Policy"

Rector Denies Racial Bias-Asserts
| Negro Congregations Near
By Need Them
Denying that racial prejudice was
the reason for his announcement on
Sunday that his church, "did not want
negroes money or negro members"
the Rev. VIM. S. Blackshear, rector
of St. Matthew's Protestant Episcopal
Church, McDonough Street and
Tompkins Avenue, Brooklyn, said, in
an interview yesterday, that his
action was dictated by Church
policy" :,
"There are two other Episcopal
churches for negroes in the neigh
borhood," he said, which negroes
should attend. These churches need
negro members. St. Matthew's is a
white church and it is desirable that
only white persons should attend its
services. We have few negro men,
bers, however, who may remain, if
they wish"
/ 1.-THE service on Sunday the Rev.
Mr.. Blackshear read the following
paragraph from the church bulletin:
"The Episcopal Church provides
churches for negroes. Several of
these churches are within easy reach
of this locality. They are in need of
the loyal support of all true negro
churchmen, therefore the rector of
this parish discourages the atten-
dance or membership in this church
of the members of that race"
There were four negroes at the
service. A young negro woman rose
and, with tears in her eyes, left the
| church. The other negroes sat silent
| ly with bowed heads. Several white
members of the congregation audibly
displayed their establishment at the
announcement.
The Rev. L. C. Dade, rector of
St.. Barnabas' Protestant Episcopal
! Church, Belmont Avenue and Fulton
Street, one of the two Episcopal
churches for negroes in the neighbor-
hood, evidenced no surprise last
night when informed of the Rev. Mr..
Blackshear's announcement. "Mr.
Blackshear," he said, "has indicated
his attitude toward the colored
, churchman on previous occasions. !
, do not care to make direct criticism
of his action without giving further
thought to the matter. will say,
however, that I believe churches
should be open to and free for all
people and races, just as Jesus Christ
loved all races and showed prejudice
to none"
Although the Rev. Mr.. Blackshear
said that his policy in barring ne
groes has been endorsed by the ves-
try of the church, Howard D. Joost,
senior warden, when asked his opin-
ion of the matter, said: 81 would
rather not express an opinion" No
statement on the subject could be
obtained from Bishop Ernest NJ.
: Stires, who is out of town.
The Rev. Mr.. Blackshear was in
stalled as rector of St. Matthew's
Church on June %, 1929. A dissen-
; sion in the congregation, which
, caused a number of the members to
withdraw, was provoked by the ques-
ton of his succeeding the Rev. DR..
Fredic w. Norris, the retired pas
tor. 1t was then alleged that COM
mittee of three out of twelve vestry-
men and two wardens drew up the
contract and obtained the Rev. Mr..
Blackshear.
He was born in Anderson County,
Texas, in 1893, the son of a Southern
cotton planter. He studied theology
at the Virginia Theological Seminary.
AS captain of Compay H, 360th In
fantry, he participated in the st.
Mihiel drive and was cited for con-
| spicuous bravery.