A Pastor, a Faction, and a 'Jim Crow Preacher': The Fight at Jones Street Church

Rev. Allen W. Whaley, the removed pastor of the Jones street A. M. E. church, denies the charges made against him by the official boards of the church in their statement published in the Post-Intelligencer last Sunday, and seems to be supported by two officers of the church. He yesterday handed the following communication to the Post-Intelligencer:

"Seattle, June 29, 1895.

"To the Public: The article in the Post-Intelligencer of last Sunday accusing me of appropriating money to my own use without the authority of the official board of my church is false. I only took out my expenses that the trustees board agreed to allow me and turned the balance of the money over to the church. The trustees agreed to pay me a certain amount out of the moneys collected for the church before I began the canvass. Some of the new men elected objected to the previous agreement, but it went anyway. They wanted me to work for nothing. They did not ask for my report in good faith, and I would not submit to their methods of wickedness.

"The truth is, a certain faction in the Jones street church for some time past has been dissatisfied because they could not have their own way with the pastor and church, and have been looking for a chance to embarrass me. Not being able to find anything against me in a manner reflecting on me, they tried to get up something else. I had the rumor against me investigated to the fullest extent by a council of elders, and they found it to be without truth or foundation.

"All the trouble in the church was caused by a little worthless faction who want to rule or ruin church and preacher, and they have ruined Jones street church. Last Sunday's article in the Post-Intelligencer misrepresented me in almost every particular. But I should not expect any more under the circumstances. They want a 'Jim crow preacher.' I hope they will get one. I never forged any one's name to minutes. That, with some other accusations, is too contemptible to notice. I broke down! Never! Never! May God bless the church. I wanted to do her only noble service. God hasten that day when the Afro-American will know enough to work for his elevation, and not his degradation. With malice toward none, but with Christian charity for all, I dismiss this matter forever.

"ALLEN W. WHALEY, "Of the African M. E. Church of America."

This was accompanied by the following letter from two other officers of the church:

"Seattle, Wash., June 29, 1895.—We, the undersigned, trustees and stewards of Jones street African M. E. church, of this city, who know all about the relation of the Rev. Allen W. Whaley with the above named church, and who with many of the members of the church and congregation do not agree with the actions of the other official brethren, take certain exceptions to the article against our pastor that appeared in last Sunday's Post-Intelligencer. We do so out of justice to Mr. Whaley, the church and the public.

"First—The article indicates that Mr. Whaley collected money from January till June without reporting to the trustees of the church. That is not so. While Rev. Mr. Whaley's book was dated January, it was clearly shown that he did not, without exception, collect any money before the middle of May, 1895. We all mutually agreed that the winter months would be a bad time to begin the canvass. The second Sunday in June was designated as rally day by Rev. Mr. Whaley, and the trustees all were to be asked to pay our church debt then, and Mr. Whaley announced that he would then tell all the amount raised by him. This was agreed to by all, and when asked a day or two afterward to report he did not like it, and who would? And when he reported the sum he told us there was something about the report he would fully explain. That night we were all anxious to leave. When we next met, he showed us what his expenses were, and that according to the order from the board previously given he had taken the same out. All that Mr. Whaley spent the trustee board authorized him to spend before he began to collect money. Mr. Whaley did not say the money was in a bank on Cherry street drawing interest at $2 per month. He did not locate the bank, but said money was drawing interest at $1 per month. He did not attempt to forge the name of Moton Acty. We know that Mr. Acty was secretary of that meeting, and Mr. Whaley without hesitation said that he shared the record afterward that it might be better understood, but did not change a single thought Mr. Acty wrote. When we found the rumor against the pastor to be without foundation we with him were ready to drop it, but this faction against him was overbearing and did the church much harm. His administration was honest and progressive, but he had untrue officers to deal with.

(Signed) "FREDERICK LAWRENCE, "Treasurer. "R. R. BROWN, "Trustee and Steward."