By Francesca Sacco, The Observer-Reporter.com (Pennsylvania)
Last week, a Washington County judge put a lengthy legal battle over the ownership of a Peters Township church to rest.
Common Pleas Judge Gary Gilman ruled Dec. 2 the ownership of Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church lies with a minority group that voted against leaving Presbyterian Church U.S.A. more than six years ago.
Though the legal battle is over, parties are now tasked with deciding who will use the property at 250 Brookwood Road in Venetia. Jeff Tindall, who was co-counsel for the “True Church,” or minority group, said the parties are in the process of negotiating the fate of the property.
“The property is held by the True Church in trust for the Washington Presbytery,” Tindall said. “The question is now if the True Church is going to return to the property or sell the property to the folks in possession of it (those who left PCUSA) or let the Washington Presbytery make the decision.”
Tindall said Washington Presbytery took the lead in negotiations.
“They will decide who will be in control,” he said. “The court case is over. Washington Presbytery and the True Church have won.”
4 Comments. Leave new
At least with the mortgage, they will have some leverage, if the presbytery gets nasty, let them have the building and stick them with the mortgage if they want it so bad.
The last sentence is the most disturbing. The fact that someone would think they church, a Presbytery or Christianity has won anything in this mess is beyond me. Jesus’ followers have all lost. Religion, mans best platform for diluting the WORD, has won.
Good counsel. Let the presbytery and the “true church” now shoulder the responsibility that comes with the Trust Clause.
Let the minority group now pay the bills while the majority members leave and establish a new Presbyterian church, missions minded, church planting minded establishing other new churches for the Glory of God.