Judge rules against breakaway Christ Church

From Savannah-

A two-year legal battle over ownership of the 276-year-old Christ Church came to a close in Chatham County court Tuesday with a judge ruling in favor of the national Episcopal Church's claims to the historic property.

Superior Court Judge Michael Karpf rejected the argument of former members and clergy who broke away from the Episcopal Church in 2007 that the church belonged to them.

The ruling grants "immediate possession" of Christ Church Savannah and its property in the city's historic district to the Right Rev. Henry I. Louttit, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia.

Louttit was out of town and unavailable for comment Tuesday. The bishop's spokesman, the Rev. James Parker, said the diocese will work with attorneys and leaders of the breakaway group to arrange "an orderly transfer of the property."

"The Episcopal Diocese of Georgia is pleased with today's court ruling returning the historic property of Christ Church to the Diocese and to the Episcopal Church," Parker said.

Carol Rogers Smith, senior warden of Christ Church and a defendant in the law suit, said attorneys and leaders are reviewing the order.

"We have received Judge Karpf's ruling. We are in consultation with our counsel, and we are in prayer," she said.

More here-

http://savannahnow.com/news/2009-10-28/judge-rules-against-breakaway-christ-church