The Color Bar decision of the Columbia Church elders
(Number 6 of 6)

Posted: 9 September 2013
( Home   <   Issues   <   Mississippi letters )

Printable PDF of the series

THE VERY BEGINNING           1   2   3   4   5   6

(use arrows or numbers to move among this initial series of letters)

As part of his original arrangement with the Columbia Presbyterian Church, Rev. Bill McAtee left for the summer to finish work on his master's thesis, leaving seminary student Dwain Epps to fill in for him during the summer. During Rev. McAtee's absence, the spectre of race raised in the first note in this series again reared its head. The church's "Session" of elders met, and -- unbeknownst to Epps, who, not being an ordained minister, had no access to the meeting -- decided not to admit any black congregants who showed up for worship. Fortunately -- or not -- this policy never came to the point of a test, at least during Rev. McAtee's pastorship.

It is the opinion of the Session and we so instruct the Diaconate that should colored people and/or their associates attempt to enter our church during regular services that they be turned away in a very kind manner, unless otherwise instructed by the Session.

THE VERY BEGINNING           1   2   3   4   5   6