Church of Our Father – Meeting Minutes Nov 10, 1899 (A.U.A. Responds to Sale Resolution)

Atlanta, Ga. Nov 10, 1899
The regular annual meeting of the church was held in the church rooms on Nov 10th at 8:30 p. m.

Present: Mrs. Swift, Daniels, Lederle, Spencer, St. Amand, Owen, Miss Martin and Miss Abel and Messrs. Daniels, Chillingworth, Moore, St. Amand, Spencer, Lederle and Dr. Fisher.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

The following action of the American Unitarian Association regarding the sales of the Atlanta church property was reported in a letter from Mr. Eliot to Mr. Vail and submitted to the meeting.

The resolution of the church of Our Father in Atlanta were submitted to the board yesterday. Authority was promptly given to the treasurer of the Association to carry forward the sale on the terms proposed and it was further,

“Voted, that the treasurer be authorized to pay $500 to the Church of Our Father in Atlanta, out of the proceeds of the sale of the property now held in Atlanta by the Association, and that it is the purpose of the board to give to the Church of Our Father under such conditions as are embodied in certain resolutions passed by them, whatever sum is realized from the sale above the claim of the Association.”

The Treasurer then read an acknowledgement of the receipt of the resolution passed Sept 26, 1899, regarding (the) sale of church property form Mr. Lincoln, Treasurer of the A.U.A. also a statement of settlement, hereto attached.

The following communication from the Pastor, Rev. W.S. Vail was then read.

Atlanta, GA Nov 10, 1899

To the members of the Church of Our Father, Greeting.

Having received a call to become the pastor of Unity Church Sioux City, Iowa, and having carefully studied the situation, and being convinced that it is my duty to accept the same, I take this opportunity to offer my resignation as pastor of the Church of Our Father, Atlanta, Georgia.  My service to close with the church year, October 31, 1899.  Mindful of past favors, with happy memories of helpful days both with the Church and Sunday School; conscious of friendships, true and tired; of real help in times of real need, I feel a deep regret at parting, and leave my best wish most heartfelt prayer for the welfare of the Church.

Walter S. Vail

 It was moved that the resignation be accepted.  Carried. It  was further moved that a committee of three be appointed to draft resolutions of revet. Mr. Moore,  Mr. Owen and Mr. St. Amand appointed.  The treasurer read his report sharing the financial condition of the church.

It was moved that a new site be selected and that a new church building be erected as once.  Adopted.

It was moved by Mr. Owen that the committee on Real Estate appointed at the Special Meeting on Sept 26th be empowered to select a site and plan for the new church. An amendment to this resolution instructing the committee to report back to a church meeting before taking final action was lost.  The original motion was then carried.

Moved by Mr. St. Amand that the present church year be continued to Dec 31, 1899 on and after January 1st, 1900, the church year shall convene January 1st and end December 31st – Carried.

It was moved that a special committee be appointed to examine the present church building to ascertain whether any part of it was suitable for the new building.  Messrs. Peck, Farrell and Lederle appointed.  It was moved that the sum of $50.00 be appropriated from the church funds for the Sunday School – Carried.

It was moved that a committee of five be appointed whose duty it shall be to find and report on suitable candidates for the pastorship of this church.  It was the sense of the meeting that a young and unmarried man and one of Unitarian birth be preferred – Carried.  Committee: Messrs. Chillingworth, Crafts, Lederle, Mrs. Swift, Miss Martin.

Meeting adjourned 10:00pm.

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 25   Folder: 03   Book: 01   Pages: 206 – 207
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA