"Mother church" moves to leave Episcopal denomination
Dana Clark Felty
Wednesday, October 3, 2007

After years of dissent, leaders of Christ Church say the congregation has left the Episcopal Church over a long-standing belief that the denomination has strayed from scripture.

The move sets up the 274-year-old "Mother Church of Georgia" for a possible legal battle against the Episcopal Church over downtown property valued at just under $3 million.

Bishop Henry I. Louttit issued a response Tuesday, asserting the authority of the diocese over the congregation and its property.

"Christ Church is and will remain a parish of the Episcopal Church in this diocese and will continue to occupy its present facilities," he said.

A spokesman added that the bishop is now planning the next move by the diocese if the Christ Church vestry asserts ownership over the church. the rest