# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1896_S54
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

54 Proceedings of the sixteenth convention

9. Charlotte. This station was founded by the Negro preacher W. P. Phifer and is still served by him, under the supervision of Missionary Bakke. The congregation numbers 54 souls with 32 communicant members. The church, 28 by 47 feet, has room for 250 persons. The services are attended on average by 50 hearers. The Sunday school numbers 90 and the weekday school was attended by 60 pupils. The school building, 15 by 40 feet, in which the missionary's wife helps to keep school, the congregation built itself for $150. 90 children received Christian instruction here in the course of the year. The property of the congregation is estimated at $1700. Here there are no further needs concerning the property, except a repair, or rather renewal, of the church ceiling.

10. Meyer's Plantation. About three miles from Charlotte there is a settlement of Negroes who until the beginning of this year had been without church ministration. There are about 100 Negroes who here work a part of a large plantation whose owner is named Meyer. Here Missionary Phifer has organized a Sunday school of 60 children. Every Sunday morning worship and school are held under the shade of the trees. About 25 adults attend the services. In winter one would probably have to take refuge with the services in a Negro hut. The people seem in part to mean it seriously, but a chapel would be absolutely necessary here too. The owner of the plantation is willing to give a conveniently situated building lot, 100 feet square, for $50. About $250 more would build the chapel. The above ten stations have all been under the supervision of Missionary Bakke since Meyer's apostasy. We now remember also the stations of Missionary J. C. Schmidt.

11. Greensboro. This is a city of 10,000 inhabitants, among them about 3000 Negroes. All sects are represented among them. After Mr. Missionary Schmidt had been ordained on 29 July 1894, he began his work in Greensboro with 2 women and 3 children. By God's gracious assistance the membership has risen to 63, with 8 communicant members. The missionary has confirmed 7 and baptized 56. Still under instruction are 6 adults and one child. He has married one couple and buried one child. Attendance at the services is very regular, 41 on average, though the number has also already risen to 150 and above. The weekday school numbers 84 children, with a daily attendance averaging 47. In money $204.37 has been received.

Mission property does not yet exist in Greensboro. The services are held on the second floor of a miserable lodge hall, to which a high, steep stairway leads up. For the use of this hall five thalers' rent must be paid monthly. Naturally we can be evicted any day, which probably would long since have