A Schism in the Spiritualist Church
The congregation of the Tacoma Spiritualist church voted to oust their long-standing leader and his daughter following a brewing internal dispute.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
A row which has been brewing for some time between Dr. F. S. Goodale, president of the Tacoma Spiritualist church, and the board of trustees culminated last night when the congregation voted to bounce Dr. Goodale and his daughter, Miss Pearl Goodale, who has been secretary and treasurer of the church. Although notice had been served on Dr. Goodale of the intended action, neither he nor his daughter appeared at the meeting last night. The church has been holding its meetings in Odd Fellows' hall.
“The congregation voted to bounce Dr. Goodale and his daughter.”
This split offers a rare, albeit brief, glimpse into the governance of Tacoma's minority religious movements in the early 20th century. Church leadership disputes remain a staple of local history, revealing the human tensions often hidden beneath the surface of organized religious life.
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