Liberal Christian Church – Meeting Minutes, Jan 28, 1926 (Special Report)
Exhibit “C” 1/28/26
REPORT OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE
Appointed at the Annual Meeting of the Liberal Christian Church November 13, 1925.
The motion authorizing the Steering Committee specified that its purpose was “To look into the Church records, reorganize the finances, and in general take charge of the affairs of the church, reporting at a call meeting at as early a date as possible.”
Considering the emergencies confronting the church at the time of the Annual Meeting the Committee could not do otherwise than take their appointment seriously and they have labored constantly to accomplish the things for which they were appointed and in a way that will prove, they hope, of the greatest advantage to the church and meet, as nearly as possible, the approval of all.
The first meeting of the committee was held Sunday afternoon November 15th, in the office of the Chairman. The pastor, Dr. Bowden, had resigned previous to the annual meeting and his resignation had been accepted by the Board. Since he was still in the city he was asked to preach on the 15th. Inasmuch as he had no definite plans for the future the chairman of the committee off erred him work in the state in the interest of the tuberculosis movement for several weeks. He was glad to accept the offer since it gave him time to formulate his plans.
At the first meeting of the committee, therefore, two emergencies were faced. It was necessary at once to provide for the regular Sunday Services and measures had to be taken to meet the rather serious financial situation disclosed at the annual meeting. A suggestion from outside of the committee proved a solution to the question of the Sunday services. It was that the Adult Class instead of meeting at ten o’clock as usual, take the eleven o’clock period and the entire church be invited to attend, thus letting the class address take the place of the Sunday morning sermon. The Chairman of the Committee, being also the class leader, hesitated quite awhile before accepting the suggestion, and did not accept it as a regular procedure until it was voted upon following a tryout of the plan on the following Sunday. The approval of the Church, however, was so emphatic that the order was agreed upon until the first of the year and so the committee was relieved to take up the consideration of the financial situation.
This plan seemed the only solution since Dr. Rowlett, who might have been called upon, was at that time sick. Beginning with the first Sunday in January, however, he was sufficiently well to be drafted into service and has filled the pulpit very acceptably for the past four Sundays.
Since the Treasurer, Mr. Scott, was also sick and could not be with the committee at the first meeting it was impossible to determine just what the indebtedness of the church was. It was apparent, however, that there were a number of pledges that had not been entirely paid, and so the committee sent out a letter to the membership announcing the plan for the Sunday morning services, urging everyone to contribute as liberally as possible, and those who knew they were in arrears to endeavor to make full payment. A letter was also dispatched to the Universalist General Convention making inquiry as to the amount that might be expected as income on the fund held by them in the interest of the Atlanta Church. The membership list of the church was also canvassed at this first meeting and it was discovered that the list published about a year previously was slightly depleted by removals and other causes, the total roll being, as nearly as could be determined, 130, of whom thirteen are non-residents.
The committee held another meeting Sunday the 22nd of November, and, the Treasurer and president of the Board being present, and additional records being discovered, it was determined that the immediate indebtedness was a little more than $600.00. of which about $240.00 was due the retiring pastor. Although the response of the membership to the appeal for funds was proving encouraging and the prospects for the attendance at the services good, the committee felt that the best way to handle the situation was to borrow $400.00 and clear up all the outstanding indebtedness. The Board concurred in this suggestion and by the next meeting the committee was in position to take up the other problems before it.
It is hardly necessary to go into the details of all of the meetings of the committee. Six regular Sunday afternoon meetings were held, three call meetings after church and one joint meeting with the Board to discuss the church’s problems with Dr. Lowe of the Universalist General Convention, who came from Boston for the purpose, and Dr. Wilson, coming up from Jacksonville, to represent the American Unitarian Association. This meeting was held in the Director’s Room of the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday afternoon December 16th, and it proved to be a very inspiring occasion, both Dr. Lowe and Dr. Wilson pledging the support of the two parent bodies to the Atlanta Church in its efforts to fulfill its mission. The matter of securing a pastor was discussed at length and, since it was thought best to look to the Universalist for the next minister, Dr. Lowe was authorized to endeavor to find a suitable man for the place. It was understood, however, that a minister would not be called until the committee had made its report and the affairs of the church were placed upon a better footing.
Mention has already been made of the membership roll. The slight decrease in membership did not seem to be a serious matter and it was concluded that, under favorable conditions, there is no reason why the Cause of Liberal Christianity should not draw to itself valuable recruits constantly. Every member of the committee was encouraged by the fact that the membership was rallying and giving its support to the new order, the Sunday School was doing well, the Woman’s Union as prosperous, devoted and helpful as ever, the Men’s Club, faithful and determined to do more to boost the services, increase the finances, and in general to advertise the church program than ever before, and the Young people’s Christian Union, loyal, enthusiastic and interested in advancing the Liberal Faith among the young. On the material side the fact that the church building is unencumbered, in splendid condition, beautiful in design and appointment, adequate for the present needs, and that the property has increased tremendously in value since its purchase, being valued at certainly not less than $75,000.00 justifies a very wholesome optimism. The parsonage property is not in good condition, though it was assessed in 1925 at $15,217.00. All in all the church plant, if it should be decided within the next few years to dispose of it, would probably bring something like $100,000.
The committee found that there is a mortgage on the parsonage property of $3,750.00. This mortgage was originally $4,500.00 but it was reduced in 1923 by subscriptions of the membership totaling $750.00. The interest on this mortgage is 7% or $262.50 per year. It is payable in semi-annual installments of $131.25 each. The next payment is due February 1st, next Monday. The committee is glad to announce that the Treasurer has funds on hand sufficient to pay off this interest and also the note due the Fourth National Bank.
The committee also made a thorough study of the insurance on the church property and found that there is a three year policy of $20,000 which expires April 1st, 1928 on the church building and a policy of equal date on the organ for $1,250.00; another of equal date on church furniture of $1,250.00 or a total of $22,500.00 on the church proper. There is also a policy on the parsonage, bearing the same date, for $8,500.00. The grand total on the church and parsonage is $31,000.00. The premiums on all these policies are paid up until April 1st, 1928.
A careful study was also made of the matter of taxation of the church property. As is generally known church buildings are not taxed but any buildings or apartments rented or otherwise used to produce income are, according to Georgia laws, taxable. It was found that $69.23 was paid in taxes on the parsonage for the year 1924. Upon inquiry at the City hall we learned that the assessment had been reduced from $18,061.00 in 1924 to $15,217.00 in 1925, and that the total tax with interest, etc. for the year would be $240.14. We were advised to have a representative go before the proper authorities and ask that this amount be reduced as in previous years. The committee asked Mr. Blake to perform this service and we learned, through him, that one fourth of the entire amount, or $60.04 will be expected, as this is the basis of settlement for all church property similarly used in the city. The committee has been advised, however, that, in the future if the entire parsonage is rented, the full amount of the listed tax will have to be paid.
Upon inquiry at the County Tax collector’s Office, the chairman learned that the parsonage property had never been listed and he was told that probably no payment will be expected for 1925. It was made clear, however, that if the property should be sold, in order to get clear title, back taxes would have to be paid. It should be mentioned here that at its first meeting the committee recommended to the Board of Trustees that the entire parsonage be placed in the hands of the Adair Realty Company for rental at $75.00 per month less their commission. The Trustees approved the suggestion and the property was rented early in December.
Mention has been made of the letter of inquiry addressed to the Universalist General Convention immediately following the first meeting of the committee concerning the fund held in trust for the church. The response came in due time and made it possible for the committee to take up the matter of the Church Budget for 1926.
The Treasurer of the Convention, Mr. A. I. Bicknell, wrote under date of November 23rd, that the fund at present amounts to $20,470.67 The investments on this fund ware tabulated showing that the income for the year will total about $1,130.00 and that payments will be made in January, February, April, July and August.
The impression had grown in church circles and among the committee that this fund might be expected to decrease, but Mr. Bicknell’s letter indicates that it is permanent and that the payments will be made yearly as long as the present arrangement continues, unless, of course, some of the investments should prove worthless, which is not likely.
Following a very thorough study of the Constitution of the church, the committee came to the conclusion that its revision is necessary if it is to be brought into accord with the progressive spirit of the organization. Going into the matter in detail the following are the changes that by a unanimous vote they submit for your consideration:
Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution reads as follows:
“This Organization shall be known as the LIBERAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF ATLANTA.”
It is suggested that the name be changed to -THE CHURCH OF THE LIBERALS, ATLANTA, GA. If you approve, the Article will read as follows:
“Article ‘, Section 1 – This organization shall be known as THE CHURCH OF THE LIBERALS, ATLANTA, GA.
Article II, Section 2 reads:
“A regular missionary offering shall be taken each year for the Universalist General Convention and the American Unitarian Association and the amount received at this offering shall be divided equally between these two bodies. An annual offering shall also be taken for the Georgia State Conventions of these two bodies and shall be equally divided between them.”
The following is offered as a substitute:
A regular contribution of $50.00 shall be made each year, one half of which shall be for the Universalist General Convention and one half for the American Unitarian Association.
Article VI Section 1 in its present form, is as follows:
“The Officers of this church shall be a Pastor, a Chairman, Secretary-Treasurer, two Deacons and Board of nine Trustees, of which the Sunday School Superintendent shall be ex-officio member.”
The Committee recommends instead the following:
The officers of this church shall consist of seven trustees, a pastor, two Deacons, and a Historian-Librarian.
It is further suggested that Section 2, referring to Deacons shall be numbered Section 3 and left unchanged and that Section 3 shall be numbered Section 2. This section reads:
“At the first annual meeting two Trustees shall be elected to serve one year, two for two years, two for three years, and two for four years, after that two shall be elected each year to serve for a period of four years.”
The committee offers as a substitute, which will be Section 2 of Article VI, the following:
Article VI, Section 2 – In electing the trustees one shall be designated, President, one, Clerk, and one, Treasurer, and these officers shall be president, clerk and treasurer of the church as well as of the Board. At the church meeting, at which this amendment to the Constitution is ratified, all the trustees shall be elected for a term ending with the next annual meeting at which time the president, clerk and treasurer shall be elected for 3 years, two trustees for two years and two for one year. At the expiration of their respective terms their successors shall be elected for the full term of three years.
In order to make this Article consistent, if the above amendments are agreed to the Committee voted to recommend the dropping of Section 4 which is as follows:
“Article VI, Section 4 – At its first meeting after the Annual Meeting, the Board of Trustees shall elect from its number a Chairman, Vice-chairman, Clerk and Treasurer, who shall also be respectively, Chairman, Vice-chairman, Clerk and Treasurer of the Church.”
If Section 4 is dropped then Section 5 should be numbered 4, leaving the section to read as at present:
“Article VI, Section 4 – The pastor shall be elected by the Church at a regular meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose, of which due notice has been given.”
Article VII, Section 3 reads:
“In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-chairman shall act in his place.”
To bring this section into accord with the amendments in Article VI, the word, “Chairman” should be changed to “President” and the title “Vice-president dropped, so that the Section, if amended will be:
Article VII, Section 3 – In the absence of the president those present shall choose one of their number to preside.
Article VII, Section 6, the next to the last sentence in the section, speaking of the Trustees, reads as follows:
“They shall meet on the second Tuesday in each month.” ‘The committee offers this substitute:
They shall meet monthly at a time and place arranged by themselves.
Article VIII, Section 1 is as follows:
“The annual meeting for the hearing of reports, election of Trustees and other officers, and for the transaction of any business which may properly come before it, shall be held on the second Friday in November each year, due notice of which shall be given from the pulpit.”
It is recommended that the Church Year hereafter correspond with the calendar year, and that the Annual Meeting be held on the second Friday in January, of each year, instead of in November. The committee also recommends that two other meetings be held during the year, as nearly as possible, four months apart, and they suggest that the Article be amended to read:
Article VIII, Section 1 – The annual meeting for the hearing of reports, the election of Trustees and other officers, and for the transaction of any business which may properly come before it, shall be held on the second Friday in January of each year. Due notice of this meeting shall be given from the pulpit. Two other meetings of the membership shall be held during the year, one before the summer vacation in May and one following the vacation in September. The exact date shall be fixed by the Trustees, the purpose being to select the most suitable date and at the same time let four months intervene between the meetings.
Article VIII, Section 2:
“Special Meetings may be called by the pastor, Board of Trustees, or on written request of ten members, but in order that any business may be legally transacted two weeks notice of said special meeting shall be given.”
It is suggested that the word, “pastor” be dropped from this Section making it read:
Article VIII, Section 2, Special meetings may be called by the Board of Trustees, or on written request of ten members, but, in order that any business may be legally transacted, two weeks notice of said special meeting shall be given.
Article VIII, Section 3:
“Ten members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any church meeting.”
The committee recommends that twenty-five be substituted for ten making the section read:
Article VIII, Section 3, Twenty-five members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any Church meeting.
Article IX, Section 2 reads:
“The second Sunday in June shall be designated Children’s Sunday unless some more convenient day shall be chosen”.
The Committee proposes the substitution of, “The last Sunday in May”, making the section read:
“Article IX, Section 2 – The last Sunday in May shall be observed as Children’s Sunday unless some more convenient day shall be chosen.”
The committee has been impressed with the need not only of carefully and correctly kept church records, but the importance of such a presentation of church life as will convey a picture of the church’s activities at any particular time and they suggest that a Historian should be appointed whose business it will be to collect the data covering the entire period of the history of the church in both of its branches and that installments of this history be read at the Church Meetings in May and September. To give this matter the importance they deem advisable it is suggested that the historian be considered an officer of the church and to provide for his or her election they offer the following-
Article VI, Section 5 – The Historian of the Church, who may also act as Librarian, shall be elected by the church at either of the regular meetings provided by the Constitution.
To explain the duties of this officer the committee suggests the addition of a section to be known as Section 8 of Article VII, as follows:
Article VII, Section 8, The Historian shall collect all possible data concerning the past history of the church compile the same in a readable, historical form. Attention shall also be given to the collection of photographs and pictures, relating to the church, its pastors, officers and members, and its activities. It shall also be the duty of the Historian to take note f the current history of the church, collecting and preserving such matters as may be of future interest. All historical data should be kept in a suitable case or cases, under lock and key, at a place provided in the church, and the Historian, as Librarian, should have the care of all books and pamphlets belonging to the church and Sunday School that may be on hand or later acquired. It shall also be the duty of the Historian-Librarian to foster and preserve a definite church library.
Under article VII, Section 2, provision is made for the President to appoint all committees unless otherwise ordered, though no mention is made of any standing committees. The Steering Committee recommends that Article XI – Amendments- be numbered Article XII and that the following be inserted as Article XI.
Article XI – Standing Committees – The following Standing Committees are hereby provided for: FINANCE, consisting of three or five members; CHURCH COOPERATION, consisting of the pastor and a member of the Men’s Club, the Woman’s Union, the Sunday School and the young people’s Christian Union, and a member of each such organization as may be hereafter formed; and the HOUSE COMMITTEE, consisting of three women or two women and one man. The duty of this latter committee is to see that the church from balcony thru the basement and out to the street is kept clean and orderly. The president shall be ex-officio member of all Standing Committees.
The Constitution has no provision for the election of the Superintendent of the Sunday School. The committee, therefore recommends that Article IX, Section 2 and 3 be numbered Section 4 and 5 respectively and that the following be inserted as Section 2 –
Article IX, Section 2 – The Superintendent of the Sunday School shall be elected by the Church at the Annual Meeting or at either of the regular church or call meetings. In case of a vacancy between these meetings the office may be filled by appointment of the Trustees, and the appointee confirmed at the next church meeting.
Article IX, Section 3 – For the better promotion and advancement of the School a Sunday School Council shall be formed to consist of the Pastor, the Superintendent and other officers and teachers of the school. A regular and set time may be fixed by the Council for its meetings, or the members may be called together by the pastor or the Superintendent.
It is very gratifying to the committee at the conclusion of its work to be able to report the Church finances in excellent condition. The committee and the Treasurer have been cooperating from the first and while Mr. Scott will be called upon to make a detailed report a little later, I believe you will permit us to summarize his report here. We asked that the Treasurer’s statement be given us in two sections, complete for 1925 and an additional report covering the month of January 1926 to date, so that a definite and accurate balance could be shown at this time. The summary is as follows:
| Comments | Sub Total | Total |
| Balance on Hand, Jan. 1st, 1925 | $72.13 | |
| Receipts during the year | $4,027.35 | |
| Total receipts for the calendar year, 1925 | $4,099.48 | |
| Total expenditures – 1925 | $3,984.37 | |
| Balance on hand, January 1, 1926 | $115.11 | |
| The Summary for January, 1926 to date is as follows: | ||
| Balance on hand, January 1, 1926 | $115.11 | |
| Receipts to date | $633.54 | |
| Total receipts 1926 to date | $748.65 | |
| Total expenditures, 1926 to date | $104.30 | |
| Balance on Hand, January 28th, 1926 | $644.35 | |
| Due to be paid on Feb. 1st, 1926 | $603.75 | |
| Credit balance after allowing for payment of outstanding bills on Feb. 1st | $40.60 |
Taking up the matter of the budget, the committee realized that it would have to be tentative and dependent upon the pledges of the church membership as well as upon rather definite promises, though indefinite as to amount of financial assistance from the two parent bodies. With this understanding a study was begun of the church expenditures for certain specific purposes during several preceding years. Fortunately through the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Green the committee came into possession of the budget of the Central Congregational Church which served as a rather valuable guide. It was realized at first that some difficulty might be experienced in providing adequate salary for the pastor. The committee was unanimous in the opinion that the church could never expect to secure a pastor of the type and attainments desired until a much better salary is offered and it was decided to suggest as a minimum $3,600.00. That point being settled other matters were taken up and the following complete, though tentative, budget agreed upon:
TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR 1926
| Description | Amount |
| Dues to the two Parent Bodies | $50.00 |
| Interest | $262.50 |
| Printing & advertising | $300.00 |
| Fuel, Gas, Light, Water and phone | $250.00 |
| Janitor | $200.00 |
| Repairs on building including incidentals and labor | $477.50 |
| Taxes | $60.00 |
| Pulpit Supply | $100.00 |
| Music, choir and organ | $700.00 |
| Minister’s salary | $3,600.00 |
| Total | $6,000.00 |
For meeting this budget in the light of past receipts, the following is submitted:
| Description | Amount |
| Plate Collections | $315.00 |
| Membership Pledges | $2,000.00 |
| Rents | $855.00 |
| Universalist General Convention | $1,130.00 |
| Prospective support from parent Bodies | $1,700.00 |
| Total | $6,000.00 |
The item for plate collections above provides for only a slight increase over the actual receipts from that source in 1925, while the amount for membership pledges is nearly $300.00 more than the actual receipts for the past year. The amount for rents is the actual income, provided the rent continues during the year, which it is expected to do and the income from the fund in the hands of the Universalist General Convention is the same as the amount received last year. From this tabulation it ;rill be seen that it will be necessary to increase the membership pledges approximately $300.00 and the committee hopes they can be still further increased so as to reduce the amount that will have to be asked from the two parent bodies. It should be realized that the more the church itself can raise the more inclined will those in authority in Boston be to help. It may be that if the sum raised here is sufficiently large Boston will contribute a sum sufficient to pay the pastor even more and thereby secure a higher type man.
The committee made a careful study of the various church records and regret to report that none were found that are really adequate or satisfactory. It will be recalled that there would have been no occasion for postponing the election of officers and the appointment of this committee if the Secretary’s minutes had shown what officers were to be elected. These minutes are further at fault in that the records of two or three recent annual meetings are not recorded, and notes found that seem to be reports of annual meetings are neither dated nor signed and are therefore useless. It is hoped to avoid such carelessness by the suggestion already made relative to the appointment and duties of a clerk. Here we recommend that a loose-leaf record book be provided for the minutes of all meetings – loose-leaf because all minutes, records and reports should be typewritten.
If this suggestion is approved the committee offers its services to start the matter off by copying first in this book the Minutes of the Annual Meeting on November 13th which authorized the study, these to be followed by the Minutes of the present meeting, this report, and the Amended Constitution. After this it would be the duty of the clerk to correctly copy all proceedings and reports therein.
The Pastors’ records are also inadequate, if not poorly kept, and the Treasurer’s books are cumbersome and such as to make it difficult on short notice to furnish information often wanted. We recommend a Kardex visible membership file for the pastor. These cards have ample space for all necessary data concerning the member and in fact, when properly filled out, give a picture of the individual’s church life. At first all these cards are current but when members move away or die, the cards are placed in alphabetical order in a closed or historical file. The membership is the significant thing about a church and as much care ought to be given to keeping and preserving the records as is given to the building.
A Kardex visible file is suggested for the Treasurer also. These cards are double with carbon between and arranged so that when the quarter record of payments is complete this quarter section may be torn off and sent to the subscriber while the permanent record beneath remains in the file. This system will reduce the Treasurer’s work to a minimum, but possibly its greatest virtue is that it will make errors almost impossible.
The Committee wishes to thank you for your confidence and assure you that we shall be glad to be called upon at any time we can be of any assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
J. P. Faulkner, Chairman
T. C. Perkins
W. J. Draper
Mrs. U. L. McCall
Mrs. Hanson Jones.
1/28/26
Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 26 Folder: 03
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA