Unitarian Church of Atlanta – Meeting Minutes, May 3, 1907 (Resignation of Rev. Shippen)

Atlanta, Ga. May 3, 1907

A special called meeting of the church held this evening at 8:00 P.M.

The meeting called to order by Vice Chairman John L. Moore.  Present: Mr.  & Mrs. Frank Lederle, Mr. & Mrs. John L. Moore, Mr. & Mrs. Henry A. Smith, Mr. & Mrs. W.M. Francis, Mr. & Mrs. G.E. Fowle, Mrs. Behre, Mrs. Daniel, Mrs. Beardsley, Miss Lederle, Messrs. Watts, Jackson, Douglas, Harding and Rev. R.R. Shippen.

Minutes of the previous meeting were not read.

Mr. John L. Moore stated that the meeting was called to consider the departure of Dr. & Mrs. Shippen stating that Dr. Shippen would not return after the summer vacation, he further stated that on account of the advanced age of Dr. Shippen, and more especially on account of his wife’s physical condition, they did not feel justified in being away from their children and grandchildren another winter.

Mr. Moore remarked that Dr. Shippen suggested that the Atlanta parish needed a younger man, one who could keep up the outside and social work of the church.

Mr. Hamilton Douglas talked feelingly regarding Dr. Shippen, expressing his own thoughts of how much he personally had been benefited through the ministration of Dr. Shippen, and how much he regretted losing him thus voicing the sentiment of the entire church.

The matter of supplying the pulpit permanently was discussed.  The Clerk, Mr. Harding, stated that it was the wish of the Trustees, at their last meeting, to get if possible a permanent pastor at once, instead of supplying the pulpit temporarily.

Upon motion Mr. Harding moved that the former committee on pulpit supply be reappointed, which upon motion was carried, and is as follows: J. G. St. Amand, John Moore, Hamilton Douglas, Chas. H. Behr and Mrs. Frank Lederle.

After a full and free discussion of the question, the entire matter of filling the vacancy in the pastorate was left in the hands of the committee, with full power to act.

The program of the Chattanooga Conference was read by Shippen who urged that he would like to see as large a delegation attend as possible, the following signified their intention of attending the Conference: Mr. & Mrs. John L. Moore, Mr. & Mrs. Chas. H. Behre, Mr. & Mrs. Frank Lederle, Miss Alice Daniels, Mrs. J.R. Beardsley, Miss Alice Ormond and Rev. R.R. Shippen.

There being no further business, meeting adjourned.

<signed>

J.E. Harding, Clerk
Physical Archive: UUCA Box: 25 Folder: 06 Book: 01  Pages: 310 – 311
Citation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Records, RG 026, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University, Atlanta GA