Methodist Ministers Withdraw from Western N.C. Conference, Oct. 18, 1924

Klan Supporter Is Given Location by Methodist Meeting. . . Rev. J.A. Sharpe, Formerly of Charlotte, Withdraws from Western North Carolina Conference. . . Active Klansman at One Time. . . Withdrawal of Rev. Tom Jimison Is Not Expected to Lead to Hearing by the Cabinet

By the Associated Press

Greensboro, Oct. 18—Rev. J.A. Sharpe, former pastor of a Charlotte Church, but for the past year engaged in evangelistic work at Albemarle, today, on his own request was allowed to withdraw from the Western North Carolina Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In church conference parlance, Mr. Sharpe was granted a location. At one time he was active in Klan circles and made several speeches for that organization at different points in the state. He is the same man who made charges against former Chief of Police Orr, of Charlotte, that resulted in a hearing. The charges were not substantiated.

The fourth day of the 35th annual meeting of the conference was started by the usual devotionals, conducted by Rev. A.L. Aycock of Canton. Business was quickly reached, and Mr. Sharpe’s request for a location was quickly granted. Rev. H.C. Sprinkle, presiding elder of the Asheville district, announced that W.M. Edwards, a local preacher in that district, had surrendered his credentials. He is now thought to be in Atlanta.

There was nothing in the meeting this morning in connection with the withdrawal from the conference of Rev. Tom P. Jimison.

Broad Street Church, Statesville, will be the scene of the 1925 annual gathering of the Western North Carolina conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. This church was chosen over Central of Asheville just before the adjournment of the morning session of the conference this afternoon.

From the front page of the Concord Daily Tribune, Saturday, Oct. 18, 1924

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