Read v. St. Ambrose Church

Citations

• 137 Pa. 320
• 20 A. 1002
• 1891 Pa. LEXIS 888

Syllabus

<p>(а) The vestry oí St. Ambrose church granted to a subsidiary church organization, called “ The Guild of St. Ambrose Church,” permission to build “an addition to the church, for their own and parish uses,” with the proviso “ that they incur no debts for which the vestry shall be held responsible.”</p> <p>(б) The purposes of the guild, as stated in its constitution, were “ the advancement of the interests of St. Ambrose parish, and the promotion of good feeling and social intercourse among its members.” The membership of the guild was not confined to members of St. Ambrose congregation, but its work was under the auspices of the church.</p> <p>(c) Under the permission granted, the guild erected a hall attached to and communicating with the church building, with funds raised by fairs and excursions managed by the guild, contributions of its members and their friends, and contributions from members of the church, the Sunday school, and other church organizations:</p> <p>1. By participating in the work of raising the fund to build the hall, the guild did not acquire any estate in or control of it; the hall was the property of the church corporation and subject to its control, and the resolution of the vestry consenting to the erection of the building, did not confer upon the guild an irrevocable license to use it.</p> <p>2. Wherefore, the guild having, after the completion of the hall, assumed the powers of proprietorship, and having undertaken to rent it to outside parties without the vestry’s consent, and to dictate the terms upon which it should be used for parish purposes, in defiance of the church authorities, the vestry were justified in excluding the guild from it.</p>