A New York court recently ruled that the property of Central Presbyterian Church is held in trust for the Presbytery of Long Island. This decision affects the ongoing dispute over church property rights following Central's separation from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The ruling clarifies the legal standing of church properties in similar disputes.
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York made this ruling on July 8, 2026, in the case Presbytery of Long Is. v. Central Presbyt. Church (Docket No. 2021-04361). The decision is significant as it highlights how church properties are governed under New York law, particularly in cases where congregations change their denominational affiliations.
Background
The dispute centers around the Central Presbyterian Church, located at 240 Main Street in Huntington, New York. The church acquired this property in two parts, in 1864 and 1888. In 1980, the Presbytery of Long Island, which is part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), voted to amend its constitution to state that properties owned by congregations are held in trust for the benefit of the broader church.
In 2013, Central Presbyterian Church announced its intention to separate from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This decision led to disagreements over the ownership of the church property. Central believed that its property rights would not be affected by its departure from the denomination. However, the Presbytery of Long Island argued that the property was held in trust for its benefit, leading to the legal action initiated by the Presbytery in September 2019.
The Ruling
The court ruled in favor of the Presbytery of Long Island, affirming the lower court's decision that the property is indeed held in trust for the Presbytery. The judges involved in this decision were Betsy Barros, Linda Christopher, Carl J. Landicino, and Laurence L. Love. The court stated, "the Supreme Court properly denied Central's cross-motion" and awarded summary judgment to the Presbytery, declaring that the property is held in trust.
The court emphasized that Central's trustees were required to manage the property in accordance with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Constitution, which explicitly states that all property held by congregations is in trust for the church. The court noted, "the constitution of a hierarchical church can be crafted to recite an express trust in its favor concerning the ownership and control of local church property." This ruling reinforces the legal framework that governs church property disputes in New York.
Impact
This ruling has significant implications for church property disputes in New York and potentially beyond. It clarifies that when a church is part of a hierarchical denomination, its property is often held in trust for that denomination, even if the church decides to leave. This decision could influence similar cases where congregations attempt to claim ownership of properties after separating from their denominations.
Moreover, the ruling highlights the importance of the constitutional provisions of the governing church body. Churches must be aware that their property rights may be limited by the agreements they enter into when they affiliate with a larger religious organization. This case sets a precedent for how courts may handle similar disputes in the future, ensuring that the rights of religious organizations are respected while also adhering to state laws regarding property ownership.
What's Next
Central Presbyterian Church may consider appealing this ruling to a higher court, though details about any potential appeal were not available in the court filing. The outcome of this case could influence other congregations contemplating separation from their denominations.