“If they rule that the 164 members are the true church, then they can dismiss pastors, take over property and have it all their way.” One thing both sides agree on is that one of the core issues is church property.”

Most Fremont Presbyterian church members thought the turmoil in their congregation would end after they voted 427-164 to leave the national denomination in October. Now that vote – and the future of the church – is being challenged.’

Local Presbyterian leaders have called for an investigation of Fremont to determine if there is a schism, or significant opposition to the vote, within the church. Members voted to leave the Presbyterian Church USA to join the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

If Sacramento-area Presbyterian leaders find there is a schism at Fremont, they would also decide which faction is entitled to the valuable church property.

This is the first time Presbytery leaders have asked local pastors to investigate a Sacramento-area church for a schism. A vote on establishing the investigating committee will be held Jan. 9.

“There are a significant number of people at Fremont who did not want to leave the denomination,” said Jay Wilkins, transitional presbyter of the Sacramento presbytery. “Before we move forward, we have to find out who the true church is.

“The announcement by the presbytery has shocked Fremont church leaders, who said they followed Presbyterian guidelines on leaving the denomination. They contend that presbytery leaders are changing the rules to keep the church and its 5 acres across the street from California State University, Sacramento.

Five other Sacramento-area congregations that left the denomination were not investigated.”Our presbytery has decided to abandon its own guidelines, and came up with new ones for Fremont,” said the Rev. Donald Baird, senior pastor. “It’s obvious who the true church is – the vast majority who voted to leave.”

Wilkins said the rules have not changed. “What has changed is that there is a faithful remnant in the Fremont Church that really does want to stay,” he said. He said that wasn’t an issue at the other congregations who left the denomination because more than “90 percent” of their members wanted to leave.

Fremont Presbyterian, the 129-year-old landmark church, became the largest and most high-profile congregation in the region to leave the PCUSA and join the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, which church members said reflects more traditional beliefs.

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