October 28, 2009 – Late yesterday afternoon, Chatham County Superior Court Judge Michael L. Karpf ruled in favor of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia, The Episcopal Church, and Christ Church Episcopal in a legal proceeding to resolve the rightful ownership of the Christ Church building on Johnson Square. The judge’s ruling resolves a legal dispute between The Episcopal Church and former Christ Church parishioners who left the Episcopal Church to realign with the Church of Uganda but refused to vacate the historic church building. A copy of the Court’s ruling can be found here.

According to Judge Karpf, the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia is the rightful owner of the Christ Church building, as well as the Church’s ancillary buildings and assets for uses and purposes of the Episcopal Church.

The judge’s ruling now permits a large number of Christ Church Episcopal parishioners to return to their original church home. These individuals have been worshiping for the past two years in space made available by another local Episcopal church.

After hearing of the court’s decision, the Episcopal Bishop of Georgia, The Right Reverend Henry I. Louttit stated, “For centuries, Christ Church has lived up to its tradition as ‘The Mother Church of Georgia.’ We have been gratified and strengthened by Episcopalians throughout our state and nation who have strongly supported our efforts. I am excited that the worship and ministry of the Episcopal Church will resume at Christ Church with strong leadership, sustained growth, and an amazing sense of joy.”

In issuing the ruling, the court cited numerous precedent decisions in favor of the Episcopal Church from both the Georgia Supreme Court and other courts across the United States. The courts have determined that, as a hierarchical Church, Episcopal Churches (like Roman Catholic, Methodist, and other such churches) have a shared ministry and do not exist as autonomous congregations separate from the whole.

“At its core, the Church is the people and not the building in which we meet,” The Rev. Michael S. White, rector of Christ Church Episcopal, said. “What this means for so many Christ Church Episcopal congregants is that they can finally return to their home of worship – the one they all have known for most of their lives.”

Christ Church was established in 1733 when General James Oglethorpe, founder of the Georgia colony, set aside a Trust lot on Johnson Square as part of his plan for the Savannah settlement. The church has also been the home for many of Savannah’s most prominent citizens including Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low, Academy award winner Johnny Mercer, and former mayor Malcolm R. Maclean.

Mills Fleming, Senior Warden of the Christ Church Episcopal Vestry, added, “It is a great joy to be returning to our historic home, and it comes with a deep sense of responsibility and purpose to move forward as faithful Episcopalians.”

Fleming added, “We are also very grateful to the congregation of St. Michael and All Angels’ for their graciousness and generosity in allowing us to worship in their building as we awaited this landmark decision.”

Read a statement by The Rev. Michael S. White, rector of Christ Church Episcopal.