Title 458, ECCLESIASTICAL CORPORATIONS

Sec. 5. Said church, when so organized, shall be subject in all matters of church government and ecclesiastical polity to the discipline, usages and ministerial appointments of the Wesleyan Methodist connection (or church) of America, as from time to time authorized and declared …

Sec. 6. The secular affairs of such church shall be managed by a board of trustees, consisting of not less than 3 nor more than 9 members, to be elected by ballot by said corporation from the membership of the church. The said trustees shall hold office for such term as the said …

Sec. 7. If it shall happen that any church organized under the provisions of this act shall, from any cause, be found at any time without trustees, such church shall not for that cause lose its corporate existence, but such church may at any time proceed to elect trustees, as pro…

Sec. 8. The persons forming such corporation may adopt bylaws, and execute and acknowledge them in the same manner as the articles of association above provided for, and such bylaws shall be retained by such corporation. Such bylaws shall prescribe the qualifications of members; …

Sec. 9. Said corporation may have a seal and alter the same at pleasure; it may, in its corporate name, sue and be sued in all courts and places; it shall have power to acquire, hold, sell and convey property, both real and personal, in accordance with this act, and it may recove…

Sec. 10. It shall be lawful for any church organized under the provisions of this act, by a 2/3 vote of the members of the same, who are present and voting, to alter and amend its articles of association, or its bylaws, in any manner not inconsistent with the provisions of this a…

Sec. 11. When it shall become necessary for the payment of debts, or with a view to re-investment, to make a sale or mortgage of any real estate belonging to said church, the members of the church, by a 2/3 majority of the same, who are present and voting, may authorize a sale or…

Sec. 12. Any Wesleyan Methodist church heretofore incorporated, or the trustees of which have heretofore exercised the powers of a body corporate, may by a 2/3 vote of the members of the society, present and voting, place itself under the provisions of this act, the same as if or…

Sec. 13. In all proceedings or suits that may arise, or be brought in any of the courts of this state, touching, or in any way concerning churches that may be incorporated under this act, or which by vote of the members of the society thereof may have placed themselves under its …

Sec. 14. It is further provided that the execution by the acting trustees of said corporation, in proper form, of any deed, mortgage, note, bond, or other obligation or contract of said corporation, shall be prima facie evidence of the proper appointment of said trustees, and tha…

Sec. 15. Any corporation organized under the provisions of this act, whose corporate existence is about to expire by limitation, may extend its corporate existence from time to time for a term not exceeding 30 years, by causing to be filed with the office of the corporation and s…