Dispute over church continues
Share with others:
In ongoing property litigation over Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church, Washington Presbytery has filed a countersuit against the Rev. L. Rus Howard and a church treasurer, demanding return of all church property and rent for use of the buildings.
The dispute involves two congregations that each claim to be Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church.
The larger group has occupied the property since a 207-26 vote in November to leave the Presbyterian Church (USA) for the more theologically conservative Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
But Washington Presbytery, the local governing body of the Presbyterian Church (USA), declared the minority who wanted to stay with the denomination the "true church."
It argues that the minority owns the property because the majority broke church law by taking the property without presbytery approval.
The majority filed a lawsuit last year to keep the property. The countersuit against the Rev. Howard, pastor of the majority, and Robert Elmes, the treasurer, asks for return of property ranging from the sanctuary to the handbells, and funds, financial instruments and pledges estimated to total about $3 million.
The property dispute "is no reason to sue individuals.
They can sue Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church. We have already filed suit against them. But to file a suit against two individuals, one of whom is a 74-year-old widower on a fixed income, is ... just an attempt to harass and intimidate and scare," said Ray Peterson, spokesman for the majority.
The Rev. Charles Perrine, interim presbyter of Washington Presbytery, said countersuits are routine in property litigation.
"We named them in response to the suit they filed against us. We are preparing for the trial, as is the judge, as are the folks in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church," he said.
First Published July 30, 2008 12:00 am
