Missouri court rules in favor of Colonial Church in property dispute

Judge: PCUSA trust clause violates state law
 By Jason P. Reagan
The Layman
Wednesday, June 15, 2011

One of Kansas City’s largest Presbyterian churches joined the growing ranks of departing churches that are winning property cases against the Presbyterian Church (USA).

On July 10, Judge Justine E. Del Muro ruled in favor of Colonial Presbyterian Church of Kansas City, Mo. in a decision that will allow the 1,700-member congregation to keep its property following its 2010 departure from Heartland Presbytery.

Filed in the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Mo., the summary judgment recognized Colonial as the legal owner of all church property, which is valued at just over $15 million and includes two campuses, despite Heartland’s claim that a trust existed between the church and the PCUSA.

Located near Kansas City, Colonial left the PCUSA following an overwhelming 927-27 vote in August 2010. Citing theological differences with the denomination, the congregation also approved a move to join the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC). the rest