Church of Our Father – Meeting Minutes Nov 11, 1895 (First Women Elected to Trustees)

Atlanta, Ga. Nov 11, 1895
Annual meeting of the Church of Our Father was called to order by Mr. Crafts who was elected as Chairman. W.D. Menken was request to act as temporary secretary.

Minutes of the previous meetings were read and approved.

The Clerk’s report for the year was read and suggestions therein referred to a committee consisting of Messrs. Harding and Menken.

The chair appointed a nomination committee consisting of Mrs. Behre, Mrs. Harding and Dr. Chaney who were to nominate trustees for five and three years respectively, an advisory committee, a Treasurer and Clerk.

Mr. Crafts presented his annual report as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Ways and Means which was received; ordered filed.

Mr. Lederle, Treasurer, made a report of the financial condition of the church. On motion, Mr. Crafts was appointed an auditing committee to verify the same.

Mrs. Harding made a verbal report for the Music Committee.

Walter Menken made report for Junior Debating Club which was ordered filed.

The nominating committee presented the following nominations:

  • Clerk – Walter Menken
  • Treasurer – Frank Lederle
  • Trustee three years – Mrs. Owen, five years Mrs. Swift
  • Advisory Committee – Mrs. Chas. Behre and Mr. Julius Watts

One ballot was cast which resulted in the election of all the nominees.

Mrs. Behre, as Librarian, presented her annual report and resignation. The report was referred to the Library Committee. There being no alternative the resignation of Mrs. Behre – Librarian- was accepted with a unanimous expression of regret that such action was necessary.

The following was resolution was ordered in the minutes and the Clerk instructed to send Mr. Currier a copy:

Resolved: That we receive with sincere regret the withdrawal from our church of an esteemed and beloved friend H.H. Currier (See Archivist Note).

We desire to express our appreciation of the great help he had been to our church in so many ways and we shall greatly miss his presence, his counsel and his aid. We rejoice with the church that gets such a true and dedicated member as he has been to us and shall be glad to work with such kindred spirits. May God bless his wherever he may be.

Adjourned.

<signed>

Walter Menken, Clerk

 Archivist Note: Henry M. Currier joined the First Universalist Church of Atlanta which was founded by the Rev. McGlauflin.  Rev.McGlauflin along with Rev. Q.H. Shinn re-established the Universalist presence in Atlanta.  From 1879 – 1881, Rev. W.C. Bowman too initialed steps to establish a Universalist in Atlanta.  His efforts failed.  Rev. D.B. Clayton, North Carolina, attempted to continue Rev. Bowman’s work, but a permanent Universalist presence was not established in the city, until 1895.  See list of members of the Universalist church as of Jan 1986.

Physical Archive: UUCA   Box: 25   Folder: 03   Book: 01   Pages: 189 – 190
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA