Christ Church leaders say biblical authority rests at the center of their decision to leave the Episcopal Church.<\/p>\n
But now that they’ve left, the only question remaining is: Who gets the property?<\/p>\n
According to attorneys with experience in church property laws, the odds are stacked against Christ Church.<\/p>\n
However, church leaders say historical and current documents clearly list the wardens and vestry as its owners.<\/p>\n
The Episcopal Church claims ownership to all church properties. The denomination considers individual parishes to be held in trust by the congregation.<\/p>\n
Macon attorney W. Warren Plowden Jr. said he has argued cases for the United Methodist Church, which also operates under a hierarchical governance system.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n