The original congregation formed after leaving the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2007 due to concern over the theological direction of the denomination.

Worship services for Oakfield (N.Y.) Community Bible Church (OCBC) soon will return to the historic building members of its congregation lost in a legal battle with Genesee Valley Presbytery.

And the presbytery, which took ownership of the property in May 2009 when the remaining members of Oakfield Independent Presbyterian Church (OIPC) lost an appeal in civil court, will only receive a fraction of what the property is actually worth. The property, which includes the 120-year-old sanctuary and manse, was valued at nearly $400,000, according to the real estate company that hosted the auction.

The possible losses also do not include the thousands of dollars in legal fees, spent by both the presbytery and OIPC congregation, during the more than 2-year battle for ownership of the property.

At an auction on March 18, OCBC’s $50,000 bid was enough to secure a home for the growing congregation. The group, which had split from OIPC in early 2009, had worshiped at a local fire department and, most recently, at a gun club. OIPC, with only a handful of members left, surrendered the property after losing an appeal.