CHARTER OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH; E. Baton Rouge Par., Louisiana
Submitted by: Pam Rice & Joyce Rogers Sept.7, 2007


**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************


CHARTER OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
SOUTH BATON ROUGE, LA---1849

	The following act of incorporation is on file in the East Baton Rouge Parish Courthouse.  Baton Rouge, La., 
inConveyance Book 14, Page 233, Original Bundle 43, Folio 40.

“No. 138—Act of Incorporation of Methodist Episcopal Church South in Baton Rouge, La.

For the promotion of virtue, morality and Religion as connected with the Public Worship of Almighty God; we, James M. 
Elam, Amos Adams, David H Penny, R. B. Ricketts, J. P. Harris, John Gayle, Amasa Read, Elijah Jones, and C. C. 
Tuttle, all residing in the Parish of East Baton Rouge, have associated ourselves together as a corporation under 
the provisions of an Act of the Legislature of the State of Louisiana entitled “An act providing for the organization 
of certain corporations in this State” approved April 30th, 1847, to be known by the name and style of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church (South) and to that end have agreed to the following articles.  Article 1st.  This corporation shall 
be governed by the rules and regulations contained in the discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and the 
obligations and duties imposed by said discipline shall be binding on the undersigned trustees and their Successors 
in office.  Article 2nd.  Nine discreet male members of the church who at the time of election have attained the age 
of Twenty-one years shall be chosen at the first Quarterly meeting after each annual conference to serve as trustees 
for the ensuing year or until their successors are chosen, but the number may be increased when deemed advisable by 
said quarterly meeting.  Any vacancy in the Board of Trustees shall be tilled at the first quarterly conference after 
such vacancy shall have occurred.  Article 3rd.  This corporation may own real and personal property to any amount 
not exceeding in value the sum of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars.

Sgd.	R. B. Ricketts			Sgd.	J. M. Elam		Sgd.	D. H. Penny
“	J. P. Harris			“	Amos Adams
“	John Gayle			“	Amasa Read
“	Elijah Jones			“ 	C. C. Tuttle


After a perusal and examination of the foregoing instrument, I here certify that in my opinion there is nothing 
unlawful in the objects, articles and conditions therein set forth and contained.
Sgd.  Augustin Talbot
District Attorney
6th Judicial District

Executive Office.  New Orleans 21st May 1849.

Having examined the Act of incorporation of the Methodist Episcopal Church (South) in Baton Rouge and concurring in 
the opinion of the District Attorney as above expressed, said act of incorporation is in accordance with law 
transmitted to the office of the Secretary of State for record at the expense of the applicants.
(Signed) Isaac Johnson

I certify the foregoing to be true copy of the act of incorporation of the ‘Methodist Episcopal Church (South)” in 
Baton Rouge which being approved of this state has been this day duly enrolled inconformity with law in the Archives 
of my office.  Given under my hand at New Orleans on the 21st May 1849.

Original No. 43			(Sgd.) Charles Gayarre
Un Bundle No. 40			Secretary of State
					F. A. Woods
					Dy. Clerk Recorder