Breakaway Episcopalians lose bid to keep building

From the Associated Press- Other links follow-

A judge has ruled that a Colorado Springs church building belongs to the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado and not a breakaway parish.

The ruling was handed down Tuesday in El Paso County District Court.
Ownership has been in dispute since March 2007, when some members and leaders of Grace Church and St. Stephen's left the national body over theological differences.

The breakaway group aligned itself with the conservative Convocation of Anglicans in Virginia but continued to worship in the building.

Rev. Alan R. Crippen, spokesman for the breakaway parish, said the group probably won't appeal.

The group has about 1,200 members, and 500 of them regularly show up for services, he said.
Another group of about 500 chose to remain with the Diocese of Colorado and has been worshipping at a building across the street.

The breakaway parish will lose the building, trade name and Web domain. The congregation plans to meet elsewhere.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ioxkUi9pnoeLcy3jq4EcaLabfLRgD974KN4O0


Denver Post-

http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_11988650

Washington Times-

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/25/diocese-wins-ruling-in-property-dispute/

Colorado Springs Gazette-

http://www.gazette.com/articles/church_50546___article.html/grace_building.html