Breakaway Newport Beach church loses asset case

The California Supreme Court decided unanimously today that churches that break away from a national denomination may not take the church assets with them.

In a ruling written by Justice Ming W. Chin, the state high court said the property of St. James Episcopal Church in Newport Beach is owned by the national church, not the congregation.

The congregation left the U.S. church after it ordained a gay man as a bishop in 2003. “When it disaffiliated from the general church, the local church did not have the right to take the church property with it,” Chin wrote for the court.

St. James was one of about 100 Episcopal parishes that broke off relations with the national church after the gay bishop’s ordination. Disputes over the real estate landed in courts across the country.

The California ruling is in line with most other state courts that have decided similar church property fights. The ruling is expected to reach beyond the Episcopal Church and affect other denominations facing rebellious congregations.

--Maura Dolan

Comments

[Paul B Johnson]

This is unfortunate as some groups virtually build their churches from scratch and join a denomination because of similar beliefs or for fellowship and direction.
It is good because biblically churches are local and autonomous. It is also most wise to remember that a church is not a building, assests, or organization. A church is simply a local fellowship of believers.
Church plants beware!!!

[Dennis]

What a biased conclusion, when you say this could affect "other denominations facing rebellious congregations."

"Rebellious" congregations? In this instance and many others it's the denominations that abandon their own confessions, not the congregations. Why not conclude your "article" this way? ... this could affect "other orthodox congregations facing rebellious denominations."

[William K]

I agree that the term "rebellious" is loaded. Perhaps "dissenting" or even the "breakaway" used in the headline could be used.

That being said, diseenting/breakaway congregations are free to leave the Episcopal Church (or any other denomination) over matters of doctrine or any other point. They are not free to take the Episcopal Church property with them is what the CA Supreme Court confirmed.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord and leave the church keys on the credence table, my friends. It's over. Be happy elsewhere.