“Our attempts to negotiate the return of our property from the (Evangelical Presbyterian Church) congregation have not been fruitful, therefore we are left with no other option,” Dunn said.
The Presbytery of Boise, the local administrative arm of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), filed legal action Thursday afternoon in Canyon County to recover Boone Memorial Presbyterian Church in Caldwell.
The Rev. Edward Dunn, executive of Presbytery of Boise, said the action came as a result of the split within the church that occurred this spring, primarily over whether gay members could serve as church leaders.
Boone Memorial disaffiliated with PC(U.S.A.) and became a member of the national Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Other members, who still affiliate with PC(U.S.A.), split off and have been meeting at The College of Idaho.
“Our attempts to negotiate the return of our property from the (Evangelical Presbyterian Church) congregation have not been fruitful, therefore we are left with no other option,” Dunn said.
In a press release, Presbytery officials argue “the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) dictates that church property ‘is held in trust for the use and benefit of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).’”
When asked for a response, a secretary at Boone Memorial Presbyterian Church said they were unaware of the lawsuit at this time and could not comment.
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