Christ Church leaders say biblical authority rests at the center of their decision to leave the Episcopal Church.
But now that they’ve left, the only question remaining is: Who gets the property?
According to attorneys with experience in church property laws, the odds are stacked against Christ Church.
However, church leaders say historical and current documents clearly list the wardens and vestry as its owners.
The Episcopal Church claims ownership to all church properties. The denomination considers individual parishes to be held in trust by the congregation.
Macon attorney W. Warren Plowden Jr. said he has argued cases for the United Methodist Church, which also operates under a hierarchical governance system.
“In Methodist cases, the courts will look at deeds, the discipline of the United Methodist Church and, if it’s incorporated, the corporate documents,” he said.
This is one where TEC will most likely not negotiate because of the historical significance of the property.
[b]The Verdict is in, Christ Church has left the Episcopal Church![/b]
The question of ownership of the historic building at 28 Bull Street may not be decided for some months or even years, but the fact is that Christ Church has chosen to remain within the ultra-historic church of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The building is a visible and tangible representation of Christ Church but Christ Church is really the people of its congregation and not the building.
For me and many others throughout the country and world the pivotal event in the 2003 General Convention of the Episcopal Church occurred when the Bishops of the Episcopal Church voted down a resolution to reaffirm the authority of the Bible as the ultimate standard of the faith.
Christ Church patiently watched and waited while leaders of the majority of Anglicans around the world urged the leaders of the Episcopal Church to clearly reassert their belief in the basic tenants of the Christian faith. There have been many international meetings, studies, recommendations and deadlines that have come and gone. Presiding Bishop Schori, the top leader of the Episcopal Church, has said that to believe that Jesus is the sole way to eternal salvation is to put God in a small box. Yet Jesus himself asserted that He was “The Way†to the Father on numerous occasions. How can the Episcopal Church claim ownership of Christ Church or even to be a Christian Church when they will not strongly acknowledge the belief that Jesus Christ is one being with God and the Holy Spirit?
Christ Church, Savannah, has not made a radical or provocative move in its actions. In fact in true Savannah fashion it has been rather slow and conservative in embracing change. Many of the other leading congregations formerly in the Episcopal Church have disassociated themselves from the Episcopal Church. Churches in Connecticut, Texas, Florida, Kansas, California, Virginia, etc. have taken this action. In fact several entire Dioceses around the country have appealed to the Archbishop of Canterbury to be removed from the authority of the Episcopal Church.
This entire debate reminds me of the Lord’s cry in Exodus, “Let my people go!â€
Hopefully the faithful members of Christ Church will remain as rightful owners of the building on Johnson Square. Regardless of the outcome of that dispute, however, Christ Church has left the Episcopal Church.