# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1920_S28
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

28 Proceedings of the twenty-seventh convention

Our dear friends of the mission have shown a special interest in the blessed work in Alabama. With their help the following buildings could be erected: chapels and schools (under one roof) at Joffre, Midway, Nyland, Possum Bend, Tilden; chapels in which school is also held: Buena Vista, Tinela; parsonages at Oak Hill, Vredenburgh and Rosebud; and a teacher's residence at Tilden.

Since the supervision of this quite new, rapidly growing field exceeded the time and strength of one man, the Commission in 1917 placed beside the superintendent, Pastor N. J. Bakke, a superintendent for schools and property. Missionary G. A. Schmidt filled this office with gratifying success until in April of this year he had to leave Alabama on account of illness. All the while he also served two and three mission congregations.

Independent Congregations.

Atlanta, Ga. Mission work was begun here in the autumn of the year 1913. Souls: 23; communicants: 19. The station received a small chapel in the spring of 1916. Missionary John Alston thinks it stands in the wrong place; and he proposes that a building be put up at a new site. The present chapel could then be used as a school. The place in which school is held is a dilapidated shack. 81 Negro children were taught in it last winter by the missionary and his wife. But owing to lack of money and other needs that are more pressing, his proposal could not be carried out.

Spartanburg, S. C. Among the large Negro population in the state of South Carolina we have only one mission station, namely in the city of Spartanburg. In the summer of 1917 the congregation there received a chapel and two schoolrooms (under one roof). Since then the number of souls has risen from 17 to 42. The school enjoys a good reputation. Last winter 177 Negro children were taught by Missionary Karl Stoll, his wife and a woman teacher. The latter was paid by the congregation. An addition for a third classroom and a further teacher was wished for; but since the need at other places is greater, the wish could not be fulfilled.

Meherrin, Va. This old country congregation numbers 75 communicants and 127 baptized members. Missionary J. Fuller has worked well here since 1917 and has brought almost all the mission material into the church. The members' contributions have also risen considerably. Missionary Fuller also serves Washington, D. C., and Richmond.

Washington, D. C. Souls 22; communicants 17. For some months Missionary Jesse Hunt has been helping out in Washington, as his state of health is gradually improving. The services are still held in a lodge hall. Progress is not to