Freedmen's Bureau Records: Roswell Waldo to Edward
Baldwin and John Crawford (Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church), November
2, 1868
Summary:
Waldo writes regarding the use of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the conflict
between the Methodist and Baptist congregations in Waynesboro over the church's
use as a non-denominational school.
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands 4th
Division 9th Sub District
Edward Baldwin
John Crawford &c - Trustees Methodist Episcopal Church (colored)
Waynesboro Virginia
November 2 /68
Staunton, Virginia
By direction of the Assistant Commissioner Richmond Virginia I most respectfully [illeg.] in the matter of the difficulties existing [unclear: between] the Methodists and Baptists in regard to the use of the Church building at Waynesboro [unclear: &c] [unclear: that the] grant of $150 was made by the Bureau toward its Erection with the express understanding that the building was to be used as a house of worship by the Methodist denomination and as a schoolhouse for all children without distinction of sect. It is expected [unclear: therefore] that the Methodists will do themselves no discredit and their people no harm by trying to make the school in any way denominational. It is further hoped and expected that both denominations will unite in harmony in the use of said building for school purposes and that no further difficulty may arise regarding it.
Very respectfully
Your obedient servant
Roswell Waldo
Assistant Sub Assistant Commissioner
