Washington Presbytery
appeals property case loss
By Edward Terry, The Layman, October 28, 2009
Having just celebrated a victory more than two years in the making, the Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church in Venetia, Pa., has received word that the battle for its property isn’t over.
The Presbytery of Washington (Pa.) has appealed the Washington County Court of Common Pleas’ decision awarding Peters Creek full ownership of its property and assets. The judge had ruled in favor of Peters Creek based on the neutral principles of law, declaring that neither Washington Presbytery nor the Presbyterian Church (USA) hold an interest in Peters Creek’s property by trust or otherwise.
Washington Presbytery officials did not return calls seeking comment. Peters Creek spokesman Raymond Peterson is not surprised by Washington Presbytery’s appeal.
“Judge Pozonsky’s order came only after a very expensive and painful legal battle that consumed two-and-a-half years,” Peterson said. “We had hoped and prayed that the presbytery would have thought better of expending tens of thousands more dollars and perhaps another one-and-a-half to two years in order to continue their fight against our congregation.”
The congregation can’t help but feel singled out by the presbytery and PCUSA in what Peterson said he believes is a campaign to prevent even more congregations from leaving the denomination. Two years ago, Peters Creek voted 207-27 to leave PCUSA and join the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. A fight over the rights to the congregation’s property ensued, involving the majority of the congregation wanting to move on, the minority group of members wanting to stay with PCUSA and Washington Presbytery claiming ownership of the property.
“We would much rather spend our time and money in the furtherance of God’s Kingdom here on Earth than fight this appeal, but we are left with little choice,” Peterson said. “The struggle ahead is not about our faith but only about our property. We will continue to do what we fervently believe is right in the eyes of God as long as we can.”
There are no cost estimates available for either side’s legal bills, but Peters Creek is openly campaigning for financial support on its Web site. The session established a goal of raising $100,000 for legal expenses in 2009. The legal section of the Web site also states that Peters Creek hopes its fight will help other congregations wanting to leave the denomination with their property intact.