First Presbyterian Church of Schenectady v. United Presbyterian Church in United States

OPINION OF THE COURT

Kane, J.

This matter concerns the dispute between a local church and its regional presbytery over the power of an administrative commission appointed by the presbytery to control *165the affairs and property of the local church. At issue is the extent of this court’s jurisdiction to determine intrachurch disputes under Federal and State law and, if exercised, the degree of deference required in effectuating such determinations. Of necessity, a brief recitation of the facts and a history of plaintiff church is required.

The First Presbyterian Church of Schenectady was founded as…