Clark v. First Baptist Church

BERRY, Justice.

Claim for compensation was denied for lack of jurisdiction, upon determination claimant was not an employee within purview of Workmen’s Compensation Act, 85 O.S.1971, § 1 et seq., at time of injury. This order was affirmed on en banc appeal, and claimant brings this proceeding to review and vacate the order of denial.

Claimant was a tithing member of respondent church when accidentally injured [April 10, 1976] while trimming a tree on church property. Other maintenance work had been performed in the past at the pastor’s request. The pastor had inquired whether claimant could…