Property of Break-Away Presbyterian Congregation Belongs To PCUSA

Hope Presbyterian Church of Rogue River v. Presbyterian Church (USA), (OR App., April 27, 2011), involves a dispute over ownership of the property of a break-away congregation that left the Presbyterian Church USA in 2007 because of theological disagreements. The Oregon Court of Appeals, reversing the trial court, held that the property belongs to the national church body, concluding that: "under either the hierarchical-deference or the neutral-principles approach to the resolution of church property disputes, the record in this case is clear that Hope Presbyterian held its property in trust for the PCUSA." The Southern Oregon Mail Tribune reports on the decision.