Who owns the property of a local church?

The church corporation owns the property of a local church. This legal structure is important because it allows the church to own, manage, and use its assets independently of any individual leader or congregation member. When a church operates as a corporation, it provides a layer of legal protection and governance that can help incorporate the organization’s mission and ensure continuity even as congregational leadership changes.

In many jurisdictions, the church corporation is formed according to state laws, which provide specific rules about ownership and management responsibilities. This structure is designed to separate the property from individual ownership, ensuring that the church’s assets are used for its mission and that they remain intact even if individual members or leaders come and go.

In contrast, ownership by individuals like the pastor or congregation leaders could lead to issues of personal liability, conflicts of interest, or potential disputes concerning the property. Similarly, external governing bodies would not typically assume ownership of local church properties, as these should remain under the control of the local church congregation and its governing body.