Break-Away Presbyterian Church In Missouri Can Keep Its Property

According to The Layman Online, a Missouri state trial court has ruled in favor of the break-away Colonial Presbyterian Church, one of Kansas City's largest Presbyterian congregations, in its land ownership dispute with the Presbyterian Church USA. The congregation is one of many Presbyterian congregations that have moved their affiliation to the more conservative New Wineskins Association of Churches.  In Colonial Presbyterian Church v. Heartland Presbytery, (MO Cir. Ct., June 9, 2011), the court, applying the "neutral principles of law" approach, held that the provision in the PCUSA Book of Order that all property of a particular church is held "is held in trust ... for the use and benefit of the Presbyterian Church (USA)" is insufficient under Missouri law to create a trust over the church's property. [Thanks to Anglican Curmudgeon for the lead.]