Small California Lutheran Church Battles Synod Over Property Ownership

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Southwest California Synod has initiated a legal action to claim legal title to the property of Faith Lutheran Church in San Dimas, California. The church, valued at approximately $5 million, is at the center of a dispute over ownership following the Synod’s decision to place it under “Synodical preservation” on May 13, 2023. This move was based on the Synod’s assertion that the congregation’s membership had become “so scattered or so diminished in numbers that it could not provide required governance.”

The Synod notified Faith Lutheran of the decision by letter on May 15, 2023, claiming it is the equitable owner of the property and seeking legal title. The church, however, has been working to reorganize its finances, reduce expenses, and revitalize its campus. Catherine MacWillie, a church council member, described the congregation as “thriving” after these efforts, noting that it currently has about 27 members, 23 of whom are active.

MacWillie stated that members of the Southwest California Synod visited the church during its revitalization and praised its progress. She also mentioned that the church had begun the process to disaffiliate from the ELCA and notified Bishop Brenda Bos on April 30, 2023. The church was transparent with Bos about its intent to disaffiliate and followed the procedures she outlined.

On May 8, 2023, Faith Lutheran formally notified the ELCA of its intent to disaffiliate, including the date for the first of two required congregational meetings. The ELCA responded that the church could not disaffiliate while under “synodical administration,” a voluntary arrangement with the Synod. The church council then voted to discontinue the synodical administration and notified the denomination on May 15 by email.

Within about 25 minutes of the church’s email, the Synod’s attorney replied, placing the church under “Synodical Preservation.” Faith Lutheran continued its disaffiliation process, holding two congregational meetings in the summer of 2023 where the congregation voted unanimously to leave the ELCA. The Synod filed a lawsuit in California seeking legal title to the church’s property, and the court granted the Synod’s motion for summary judgment based on the “ecclesiastical doctrine.”

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