Church Defends Attempts To Seize Property

From San Joaquin-

St. Paul's Church of Visalia has chosen to fight attempts by the Episcopal Church to seize its property including the stately 60-year-old brick church complex at Hall and Main Streets.

The Rev. Richard James, pastor of St. Paul's Anglican Church, said the Fresno law firm of Penner, Bradley and Simonian has been hired to represent the St. Paul's congregation in court.

“This move was necessitated by legal action taken against St. Paul's by the Episcopal Church and the Rev. Jerry Lamb Bishop of the newly formed Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. .Lamb is seeking claim to St. Paul's property for a small group which broke away from the congregation after it voted by a large majority to remain a part of the original Diocese of the San Joaquin, said James.

The breakaway group, which kept the St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Visalia name, has about 70 members and meets at the B'ai David synagogue at 1039 S. Chinowth. It is led by Pastor Suzy Ward, the first woman ordained in the San Joaquin Diocese. She said the legal action involves the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church and, “It is not our congregation and their congregation.”

There has been an internal battle brewing inside the Episcopal Church for about 20 years which led to the split in 2007. Among several theological issues was the question of female ordination.

More here-

http://www.valleyvoicenewspaper.com/vv/stories/2010/vv_stpaulschurch_0449.htm