Historic church property goes to Anglican Mission
Last Updated on 3/19/2010
Published on 9/20/2009
By Kelly Marshall Fuller
Kfuller@gtowntimes.com
The S.C. Supreme Court has given ownership of historic church property in Pawleys Island to the Anglican Mission of America, a group that split from the Episcopal church over the appointment of a gay bishop and same-sex marriage.
The S.C. Supreme Court ruled that the 50-acre campus of All Saints Church, just off Kings River Road, does not belong to the Episcopal Church.
The judge's decision is thrilling, but the dispute might not be over, said All Saints church member Sue Campbell.
The congregation remains "cautiously optimistic" about the Supreme Court decision, she said.
"We know that chances are, this may not be the last step, but we continue to be hopeful and prayerful,'' Campbell said.
The legal battle began in 2000, when the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina filed a public notice in Georgetown County that the historic land and the pre-revolutionary church belonged to the Episcopal Church.
All Saints sued the diocese, saying that the original deed gave the property to the people of the Waccamaw Neck.
In 2003, more than 400 All Saints Church members voted to cut ties with the Episopal Church.
The larger group voted to join the Anglican Church in the Americas.
The Anglicans, who followed the Rev. Chuck Murphy, said they supported more traditional values.
The Anglicans continued to worship at All Saints Church, while ownership of the land and buildings was debated.
About 40 people still loyal to the Episcopal Church of South Carolina moved to former furniture store on U.S. 17.
The smaller congregation appealed a judge's decision not to give the All Saints property to the Episcopal church.
A judge ruled that the smaller congregation owned the historic name, All Saints Parish, Waccamaw Episcopal Church- but not the church property.
The S.C. Supreme Court said in its most recent ruling that it was clear the Episcopal Church had given up ownership of the property in 1903, and that later claims on the land by the Episcopal church didn't stand.
The Rev. Ed Kelaher, who leads the smaller congregation at All Saints, Waccamaw, said Sunday he was not in charge of the recent decision.
Kelaher said he continues to lead the congregation at the smaller church on U.S. 17.
He referred questions about the decisions to the church's attorneys in Charleston.
