Property of Break-Away Presbyterian Congregation Belongs To PCUSA

State court says national organization owns church and property, not Hope Presbyterian
April 28, 2011
By Sanne Specht
Mail Tribune

A Rogue River church that broke with its national denomination over religious differences has received bad news about who holds legal title to the church and its contents.

Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Phil Arnold ruled in 2010 that Hope Presbyterian Church of Rogue River owned the church structure and its contents under Oregon law.

The trial court sided with Hope Presbyterian, explaining the case should be resolved on "neutral secular principles" of the law, court documents state. But the Oregon Court of Appeals on Wednesday overturned Arnold's decision, ruling the Presbyterian Church (USA) held title to the property, citing both secular and church doctrine in their decision.

Brian Boisen, pastor of Hope Presbyterian, said Wednesday afternoon that he had not yet had a chance to meet with the church's lawyer and elders in his 100-plus member congregation.

"We need to look at this and figure out what our next step will be," Boisen said. the rest
(h/t Religion Clause blog)