reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 27 of 1905 - Wesleyan Methodist Churches (458.41 - 458.55) › Section 458.46 - Board of Trustees; Election, Term, Vacancies; Secular Affairs.

458.46 Board of trustees; election, term, vacancies; secular affairs.
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 church shall decide upon, and until their successors are elected, unless they cease to be members of said church, in which case they shall also cease to be trustees. Vacancies in said board may be filled at any time for the balance of the term, by an election as in other cases.
History:
1905, Act 27, Imd. Eff. Mar. 22, 1905 ;-- CL 1915, 11049 ;-- CL 1929, 10864 ;-- CL 1948, 458.46
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 27 of 1905 - Wesleyan Methodist Churches (458.41 - 458.55) › Section 458.47 - Board of Trustees; Election in Certain Case; Dissolution, Conference Legal Successor; Sale of Property.

458.47 Board of trustees; election in certain case; dissolution, conference legal successor; sale of property.
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 provided in this act: Provided, That whenever any corporation organized under the provisions of this act shall be dissolved by the death of all its members, or by the loss of so many of them that it is thereby rendered unable to do any corporate act or to restore itself by proceeding to elect trustees, as provided in this act, the annual conference, within whose bounds such corporation may be situated, shall be held and deemed to be the legal successor of such corporation and shall succeed to, and be vested with, all property rights which were in such corporation at the time it was dissolved; and said annual conference may, by such officer or committee as said annual conference may designate for that purpose, apply to the circuit court in chancery, for the county in which such property may be, for license to sell the same; and such license may be granted by said court after such notice of said application as the court may direct; and thereupon said property may be sold, and the proceeds of such sale applied or used as said annual conference may direct.
History:
1905, Act 27, Imd. Eff. Mar. 22, 1905 ;-- CL 1915, 11050 ;-- CL 1929, 10865 ;-- CL 1948, 458.47
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 27 of 1905 - Wesleyan Methodist Churches (458.41 - 458.55) › Section 458.48 - Bylaws.

458.48 Bylaws.
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; the manner in which persons are to become members, or cease to be such; the officers of such corporation; their official titles; their term of office; the manner of their election and removal from office; their official duties; the time and manner of calling and holding meetings; the manner and condition under which personal property and real estate may be acquired, held, and disposed of, and such other bylaws as may be deemed necessary for the management of the affairs of such corporation. Such bylaws shall also prescribe the manner in which they may be altered, amended, or repealed.
History:
1905, Act 27, Imd. Eff. Mar. 22, 1905 ;-- CL 1915, 11051 ;-- CL 1929, 10866 ;-- CL 1948, 458.48 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 75, Imd. Eff. Apr. 19, 1982
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 27 of 1905 - Wesleyan Methodist Churches (458.41 - 458.55) › Section 458.49 - Powers of Corporation; Rights of Ministers.

458.49 Powers of corporation; rights of ministers.
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 recover and hold the debts, demands, rights, privileges, and all property, whether real or personal, of whatever sort it may be, belonging or appertaining to said church, in whatever manner the same may have been acquired, and in whose hands soever the same may be held, the same as if the right and title had originally been invested in said corporation. It may sell (but not mortgage) or otherwise dispose of its personal property. And it may, under restrictions hereinafter provided, sell, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of or encumber its real estate, but not for current expenses. It may hold so much land as may be needful for the proper purposes of said church and its parsonage. It may also hold for a period not to exceed 10 years, real estate, which may be conveyed or devised to it or to said trustees to be sold and the proceeds to be used in any way for the benefit of said church, as directed in the conveyance or will. Said corporation shall at all times permit such ministers belonging to the Wesleyan Methodist church, as shall from time to time be duly authorized by the general conference of said connection (or church) or by the annual conference, within whose bounds the said corporation may be, to preach and expound God's holy word therein; and shall permit pastors duly appointed to execute the discipline of the Wesleyan Methodist connection, and to administer the sacraments therein.
History:
1905, Act 27, Imd. Eff. Mar. 22, 1905 ;-- CL 1915, 11052 ;-- CL 1929, 10867 ;-- CL 1948, 458.49
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 27 of 1905 - Wesleyan Methodist Churches (458.41 - 458.55) › Section 458.50 - Alteration or Amendment of Articles or Bylaws.

458.50 Alteration or amendment of articles or bylaws.
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 act, or the discipline of the Wesleyan Methodist connection; and such alteration or amendment shall become operative when 2/3 of the voting members present shall authorize the board of trustees to execute and acknowledge the amended article or articles in the same manner as stated for the original articles, and the same has or have been filed with the corporation and securities bureau of the department of commerce as provided in section 4 of this act.
History:
1905, Act 27, Imd. Eff. Mar. 22, 1905 ;-- CL 1915, 11053 ;-- CL 1929, 10868 ;-- CL 1948, 458.50 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 75, Imd. Eff. Apr. 19, 1982
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 27 of 1905 - Wesleyan Methodist Churches (458.41 - 458.55) › Section 458.51 - Sale or Mortgage of Real Estate for Re-Investment or to Pay Debts; Title, Passing to Annual Conference.

458.51 Sale or mortgage of real estate for re-investment or to pay debts; title, passing to annual conference.
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 mortgage of said real estate by the trustees of said church, who, when so authorized, may sell and convey or mortgage said property, and with the proceeds of such sale or mortgage pay the debts of such corporation, or re-invest the said proceeds by the purchase or improvement of other property for the same uses and deeded to the corporation in the same manner as provided in section 9 of this act, as said trustees may be directed by the church. In all cases where property belonging to any church incorporated under the provisions of this act has been abandoned and is no longer used for the purpose for which said property was acquired, or said corporation has dissolved, or has ceased to exist, the title to said property belonging to said corporation, together with all property rights which were in such corporation at the time it was dissolved, shall pass to the annual conference within the bounds of which said property is located, and said annual conference may proceed as in section 7 of this act.
History:
1905, Act 27, Imd. Eff. Mar. 22, 1905 ;-- CL 1915, 11054 ;-- CL 1929, 10869 ;-- CL 1948, 458.51
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 27 of 1905 - Wesleyan Methodist Churches (458.41 - 458.55) › Section 458.52 - Reincorporation Under Act; Procedure.

458.52 Reincorporation under act; procedure.
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 originally incorporated under it, by 2/3 of the members present and voting executing articles of association as provided in section 3 of this act, and recording the same, as provided in section 4 of this act.
History:
1905, Act 27, Imd. Eff. Mar. 22, 1905 ;-- CL 1915, 11055 ;-- CL 1929, 10870 ;-- CL 1948, 458.52
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 27 of 1905 - Wesleyan Methodist Churches (458.41 - 458.55) › Section 458.53 - Construction of Inconsistent Acts.

458.53 Construction of inconsistent acts.
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 provisions, all other acts or parts of acts inconsistent herewith shall be interpreted and construed in such manner as to give full force and effect to all the provisions of this act, and to all the rights and privileges granted by this act to churches incorporated or placed thereunder.
History:
1905, Act 27, Imd. Eff. Mar. 22, 1905 ;-- CL 1915, 11056 ;-- CL 1929, 10871 ;-- CL 1948, 458.53
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 27 of 1905 - Wesleyan Methodist Churches (458.41 - 458.55) › Section 458.54 - Trustees; Evidence of Authority.

458.54 Trustees; evidence of authority.
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 that the necessary steps have been taken to give them full authority to make such transaction.
History:
1905, Act 27, Imd. Eff. Mar. 22, 1905 ;-- CL 1915, 11057 ;-- CL 1929, 10872 ;-- CL 1948, 458.54
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 27 of 1905 - Wesleyan Methodist Churches (458.41 - 458.55) › Section 458.55 - Extension of Corporate Existence; Filing Resolution With Department of Commerce; Effect.

458.55 Extension of corporate existence; filing resolution with department of commerce; effect.
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 securities bureau of the department of commerce, a copy of a resolution expressing a desire to so extend its corporate existence, which resolution shall be adopted by such corporation at a meeting called for the purpose by the pastor of the church. When such resolution is left for record with the corporation and securities bureau of the department of commerce, the corporate existence of such body shall be extended in accordance with the terms of such resolution for a term not exceeding 30 years from the date of the expiration of its former term, and all rights of property and of contract shall remain unimpaired and the corporate identity of such body shall remain unchanged.
History:
1905, Act 27, Imd. Eff. Mar. 22, 1905 ;-- CL 1915, 11058 ;-- CL 1929, 10873 ;-- CL 1948, 458.55 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 75, Imd. Eff. Apr. 19, 1982
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 26 of 1907 - Methodist Protestant Churches (458.61 - 458.74) › Section 458.61 - Methodist Protestant Church; Incorporators.

458.61 Methodist Protestant church; incorporators.
Sec. 1.
It shall be lawful for any number of persons of full age, not less than 5, residing within the bounds of the charge in which the proposed church is to be located, to organize and procure the incorporation of a Methodist Protestant church.
History:
1907, Act 26, Imd. Eff. Mar. 20, 1907 ;-- CL 1915, 11059 ;-- CL 1929, 10874 ;-- CL 1948, 458.61
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 26 of 1907 - Methodist Protestant Churches (458.61 - 458.74) › Section 458.62 - Articles of Association; Execution.

458.62 Articles of association; execution.
Sec. 2.
The persons desiring to organize such church, shall execute and acknowledge before any person authorized to take acknowledgments of deeds, articles of association, in writing, whereby they shall agree to organize a church which shall be governed by the discipline, rules and usages of the Methodist Protestant church.
History:
1907, Act 26, Imd. Eff. Mar. 20, 1907 ;-- CL 1915, 11060 ;-- CL 1929, 10875 ;-- CL 1948, 458.62
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 26 of 1907 - Methodist Protestant Churches (458.61 - 458.74) › Section 458.63 - Articles; Contents, Form.

458.63 Articles; contents, form.
Sec. 3.
Said articles of association shall contain the following items:
First, The name of said church;
Second, The township, village or city and the county in which it shall be located;
Third, An agreement to worship and labor together according to the discipline, rules and usages of the Methodist Protestant church. Said articles may be in the following form: We, the undersigned, desiring to become incorporated under the provisions of act number ........ of the public acts of ........., entitled "An act to provide for the incorporation of Methodist Protestant churches," do hereby make, execute and adopt the following articles of association, to-wit:
First, The name assumed by this corporation, and by which it shall be known in law, is "The ............... Methodist Protestant church;"
Second, The location of said church shall be in the ........... of ............., county of ................ and state of Michigan;
Third, The members of said church shall worship and labor together, according to the discipline, rules and usages of the Methodist Protestant church, as from time to time authorized and declared by the general conference of said church, and the annual conference within whose bounds said corporation is situated;
Fourth, The trustees of this corporation shall be ............ in number. At the first election of trustees of said church under these articles ............. trustees shall be elected for a term of 1 year, ............. trustees shall be elected for a term of 2 years, and ............. trustees shall be elected for a term of 3 years, and ......... trustees shall be elected at each annual election thereafter;
Fifth, The annual meeting of this society shall be held on ......... of ............ in each year, for the purpose of electing trustees, and transacting such other business as may properly come before it.
In witness whereof, we, the parties associating for the purpose of giving legal effect to these articles, hereunto sign our names and places of residence.
Done at the ...... of ......., county of ......... and state of Michigan this ........ day of ........, A.D. 19....
......................
................
................
(Signatures.)
}
SS.
(Residences.)
State of Michigan,
County of ............................,
On this ............... day of .............., A.D. 19.........., before me, a ..............., in and for said county, personally appeared .............................., known to me to be the persons named in, and who executed the foregoing instrument, and severally acknowledged that they executed the same freely and for the intents and purposes therein mentioned.
......................................
......................................
History:
1907, Act 26, Imd. Eff. Mar. 20, 1907 ;-- CL 1915, 11061 ;-- CL 1929, 10876 ;-- CL 1948, 458.63
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 26 of 1907 - Methodist Protestant Churches (458.61 - 458.74) › Section 458.64 - Filing Articles of Association With Department of Commerce; Signers of Articles, Associates, and Fellow Members as Body Politic or Corporation; Powers, Rights, and Privileges.

458.64 Filing articles of association with department of commerce; signers of articles, associates, and fellow members as body politic or corporation; powers, rights, and privileges.
Sec. 4.
Said articles of association shall be filed with the corporation and securities bureau of the department of commerce. When said articles of association shall have been filed, the said persons so signing said articles of association, and their associates and fellow members of said church, and all who may thereafter become members of said church, according to the rules, usages, and discipline of the Methodist Protestant church, shall thereby become and thenceforth be a body politic, or corporation, by the name expressed in the said articles of association, with all the powers, rights, and privileges appertaining to religious corporations by the laws of this state.
History:
1907, Act 26, Imd. Eff. Mar. 20, 1907 ;-- CL 1915, 11062 ;-- CL 1929, 10877 ;-- CL 1948, 458.64 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 123, Imd. Eff. Apr. 19, 1982
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 26 of 1907 - Methodist Protestant Churches (458.61 - 458.74) › Section 458.65 - Church Government; Ecclesiastical Polity.

458.65 Church government; ecclesiastical polity.
Sec. 5.
Said church, when so organized, shall be in all matters of church government and ecclesiastical polity subject to the discipline, rules and usages, and ministerial appointments of the Methodist Protestant church, as from time to time authorized by the general conference of said church, and the annual conference within whose bounds said corporation may be situated.
History:
1907, Act 26, Imd. Eff. Mar. 20, 1907 ;-- CL 1915, 11063 ;-- CL 1929, 10878 ;-- CL 1948, 458.65
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 26 of 1907 - Methodist Protestant Churches (458.61 - 458.74) › Section 458.66 - Secular Affairs; Management; Board of Trustees, Election, Term.

458.66 Secular affairs; management; board of trustees, election, term.
Sec. 6.
The secular affairs of said church shall be managed by a board of trustees, consisting of not less than 3, nor more than 9 members of the association, elected and organized according to the provisions of the discipline of the Methodist Protestant church, who shall hold office until their successors have been elected and entered upon the duties of the office.
History:
1907, Act 26, Imd. Eff. Mar. 20, 1907 ;-- CL 1915, 11064 ;-- CL 1929, 10879 ;-- CL 1948, 458.66
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 26 of 1907 - Methodist Protestant Churches (458.61 - 458.74) › Section 458.67 - Powers of Corporation; Execution of Legal Documents; Rights of Ministers.

458.67 Powers of corporation; execution of legal documents; rights of ministers.
Sec. 7.
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 of this state. It shall have power to acquire, hold, sell or convey property, both real and personal, in accordance with this act, and it may hold and recover all debts, demands, rights, privileges and all property, whether real or personal, of whatsoever sort it may be, belonging or appertaining to said church in whatsoever manner the same may have been acquired, and in whosesoever hands the same may be held, the same as if the right and title had originally been vested in said corporation. The board of trustees may authorize certain officers of said board to affix the name and seal of said corporation, and to execute and attest conveyances, notes, obligations, acquittances and all necessary legal documents. It may sell, mortgage or otherwise dispose of its personal property, and it may, under restrictions hereinafter provided, sell, mortgage or otherwise dispose of or encumber its real estate, but not for current expenses. It may hold so much land as may be needed for the proper purposes of the church and its parsonage. It may also hold for a period not to exceed 10 years, real estate, which may be conveyed or devised to it, or to said trustees, to be sold and the proceeds to be used in any way for the benefit of said church, as directed in the conveyance or will. Said corporation shall at all times permit all ministers belonging to the Methodist Protestant church, as shall from time to time be duly authorized by the annual conference, within whose bounds the said corporation may be, to preach and expound God's holy word therein, and shall permit presidents and pastors, duly appointed, to execute the discipline of the Methodist Protestant church and to administer the sacraments therein.
History:
1907, Act 26, Imd. Eff. Mar. 20, 1907 ;-- CL 1915, 11065 ;-- CL 1929, 10880 ;-- CL 1948, 458.67
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 26 of 1907 - Methodist Protestant Churches (458.61 - 458.74) › Section 458.68 - Powers of Trustees; Disposition of Realty.

458.68 Powers of trustees; disposition of realty.
Sec. 8.
The trustees shall have power, according to the terms and limitations of the discipline of the Methodist Protestant church, as from time to time authorized and declared by the general conference of said church, to purchase, build, repair, lease, sell, rent, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of property: Provided, That in case of selling, mortgaging or otherwise encumbering or disposing of real estate, the consent of the president of the annual conference, within whose bounds the said corporation may be, shall be obtained: And Provided further, That in case the said president shall refuse, or withhold his consent to the selling, mortgaging, encumbering or disposing of real estate, appeal may be had to the said conference at its next session, and said appeal shall be final.
History:
1907, Act 26, Imd. Eff. Mar. 20, 1907 ;-- CL 1915, 11066 ;-- CL 1929, 10881 ;-- CL 1948, 458.68
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 26 of 1907 - Methodist Protestant Churches (458.61 - 458.74) › Section 458.69 - Title; Passing to Annual Conference; License to Sell; Dissolution of Corporation.

458.69 Title; passing to annual conference; license to sell; dissolution of corporation.
Sec. 9.
In all cases where property belonging to any church society incorporated under the provisions of this act has been abandoned, or is no longer used for the purpose for which said property was acquired or for the benefit of said church society, and has not been conveyed by said society under the provisions of this act, or said corporation has dissolved or become extinct, the title to said property belonging to said corporation shall pass to the annual conference within whose bounds said property is located. And said annual conference may, by such officer or committee as said conference may designate for that purpose, apply to the circuit court for the county in which said property may be, for license to sell the same. And such license may be granted by said court, after such notice of said application, as the court may direct, and thereupon said property may be sold and the proceeds of such sale disposed of as provided in the book of discipline of the Methodist Protestant church; and said court, upon the hearing of said application, may dissolve said corporation when it shall appear by proof that said society has ceased to support a pastor, or perform the usual functions of a church, for a period of 2 years.
History:
1907, Act 26, Imd. Eff. Mar. 20, 1907 ;-- CL 1915, 11067 ;-- CL 1929, 10882 ;-- CL 1948, 458.69
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 26 of 1907 - Methodist Protestant Churches (458.61 - 458.74) › Section 458.70 - Service of Process.

458.70 Service of process.
Sec. 10.
In all suits or legal proceedings brought against corporations organized under the provisions of this act, process may be served upon the chairman or any member of the board of trustees.
History:
1907, Act 26, Imd. Eff. Mar. 20, 1907 ;-- CL 1915, 11068 ;-- CL 1929, 10883 ;-- CL 1948, 458.70
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 26 of 1907 - Methodist Protestant Churches (458.61 - 458.74) › Section 458.71 - Amendment of Articles; Procedure.

458.71 Amendment of articles; procedure.
Sec. 11.
It shall be lawful for any church society incorporated under the provisions of this act, at a meeting called for that purpose, of which 4 weeks' notice shall have been given by announcement at a regular service, by a vote of 2/3 of all the qualified members present and voting, to amend its articles of association in any way not inconsistent with the provisions of this act, or the book of discipline of the Methodist Protestant church; and such amendment shall become operative when said amended articles are executed and acknowledged in the same manner as stated in sections 2 and 3 of this act and the same has been recorded, or left for record as provided in section 4 of this act.
History:
1907, Act 26, Imd. Eff. Mar. 20, 1907 ;-- CL 1915, 11069 ;-- CL 1929, 10884 ;-- CL 1948, 458.71
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 26 of 1907 - Methodist Protestant Churches (458.61 - 458.74) › Section 458.72 - Reincorporation Under Act; Procedure.

458.72 Reincorporation under act; procedure.
Sec. 12.
Any Methodist Protestant church society, heretofore incorporated, or the trustees of which have heretofore exercised the powers of a body corporate, may, by a 2/3 vote of its qualified members, place itself under the provisions of this act, the same as if originally incorporated under it, by 2/3 of the qualified members executing articles of association as hereinbefore provided and recording the same as also hereinbefore provided.
History:
1907, Act 26, Imd. Eff. Mar. 20, 1907 ;-- CL 1915, 11070 ;-- CL 1929, 10885 ;-- CL 1948, 458.72
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 26 of 1907 - Methodist Protestant Churches (458.61 - 458.74) › Section 458.73 - Construction of Inconsistent Acts.

458.73 Construction of inconsistent acts.
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 by a vote of the qualified members have placed themselves under its provisions, all other acts or parts of acts inconsistent herewith shall be interpreted and construed in such manner as to give full force and effect to all the provisions of this act, and to all the rights and privileges granted by this act to churches incorporated or placed thereunder.
History:
1907, Act 26, Imd. Eff. Mar. 20, 1907 ;-- CL 1915, 11071 ;-- CL 1929, 10886 ;-- CL 1948, 458.73
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 26 of 1907 - Methodist Protestant Churches (458.61 - 458.74) › Section 458.74 - Trustees; Evidence of Authority.

458.74 Trustees; evidence of authority.
Sec. 14.
It is further provided that the execution by the trustees of said corporation, of any deed, mortgage, note, bond or other obligation, or contract of said corporation in proper form shall be prima facie evidence of the proper appointment of said trustees; said proceedings having been authorized by the society and president as hereinbefore provided.
History:
1907, Act 26, Imd. Eff. Mar. 20, 1907 ;-- CL 1915, 11072 ;-- CL 1929, 10887 ;-- CL 1948, 458.74
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 29 of 1901 - Free Methodist Churches (458.81 - 458.93) › Section 458.81 - Free Methodist Church; Incorporators.

458.81 Free Methodist church; incorporators.
Sec. 1.
It shall be lawful for any number of members of the Free Methodist church, of full age, not less than 5, with the consent of the district elder of the district in which the proposed church is to be located, to organize and procure the incorporation of a Free Methodist church.
History:
1901, Act 29, Imd. Eff. Mar. 26, 1901 ;-- CL 1915, 11003 ;-- CL 1929, 10888 ;-- CL 1948, 458.81
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 29 of 1901 - Free Methodist Churches (458.81 - 458.93) › Section 458.82 - Articles of Association and Certificate of Consent; Execution.

458.82 Articles of association and certificate of consent; execution.
Sec. 2.
The persons desiring to organize such church shall execute and acknowledge, before any person authorized to take acknowledgment of deeds, articles of association in writing, whereby they shall agree to organize a church, which shall be governed by the discipline, rules and usages of the Free Methodist church. To such articles of association there shall be attached a certificate by the district elder of the district in which said church is to be located, that the said church was organized by and with the consent of said district elder.
History:
1901, Act 29, Imd. Eff. Mar. 26, 1901 ;-- CL 1915, 11004 ;-- CL 1929, 10889 ;-- CL 1948, 458.82
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 29 of 1901 - Free Methodist Churches (458.81 - 458.93) › Section 458.83 - Articles and Certificate of Consent; Contents, Form.

458.83 Articles and certificate of consent; contents, form.
Sec. 3.
Said articles of association shall contain the following items: First, the name of said church; second, the township, village or city, and the county in which said church shall be located; third, the time for which corporation shall be created; fourth, an agreement to worship and labor together according to the discipline, rules and usages of the Free Methodist church. Said articles may be in the following form:
We, the undersigned, desiring to become incorporated under the provisions of act number ................. of the public acts of 1901, entitled "An act to provide for the incorporation of Free Methodist churches," do hereby make, execute and adopt the following articles of association, to wit:
First, The name assumed by this corporation, and by which it shall be known in law, is "The .......................... Free Methodist church;"
Second, The location of said church shall be in the ..........................., of ................., county of ............., and state of Michigan;
Third, The time for which said corporation shall be created shall not exceed 30 years from ................, the date of its organization;
Fourth, The members of said church shall worship and labor together according to the discipline, rules and usages of the Free Methodist church of North America, as from time to time authorized and declared by the general conference of said church and the annual conference within whose bounds said corporation is situated.
In witness whereof, we, the parties hereby associating for the purpose of giving legal effect to these articles, hereunto sign our names and places of residence.
Done at the ........ of ........, county of ............, and state of Michigan, this .......... day of ..........., A.D. 189....
(Signatures.)
}
SS.
(Residences.)
STATE OF MICHIGAN,
County of ...........................
On this ............ day of ................., A.D. ................., before me, a ................. in and for said county, personally appeared .................................., known to me to be the persons named in, and who executed the foregoing instrument, and severally acknowledged that they executed the same freely and for the intents and purposes therein mentioned.
....................................................................
I, .............., district elder of the ................... district, of the ............... annual conference of the Free Methodist church, the same being the district in which the church mentioned in the foregoing articles of association is to be, or is now located, do hereby certify that such church was organized by and with my consent and concurrence.
Dated at .............., Mich., ...................., A.D. 19....
...................................... ,
District Elder.
History:
1901, Act 29, Imd. Eff. Mar. 26, 1901 ;-- CL 1915, 11005 ;-- CL 1929, 10890 ;-- CL 1948, 458.83
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 29 of 1901 - Free Methodist Churches (458.81 - 458.93) › Section 458.84 - Articles of Association; Execution; Acknowledgment; Retention of Copy; Filing Articles and Certificate of Consent; Body Politic or Corporation; Name; Powers, Rights, and Privileges.

458.84 Articles of association; execution; acknowledgment; retention of copy; filing articles and certificate of consent; body politic or corporation; name; powers, rights, and privileges.
Sec. 4.
Said articles of association shall be executed in duplicate, and acknowledged before some officer authorized by law to take acknowledgment of deeds. One of such duplicate copies shall be retained by such corporation, and 1 copy shall be filed with the corporation and securities bureau of the department of commerce. When said articles of association and said certificate of the district elder shall have been filed with the corporation and securities bureau of the department of commerce, the said persons so signing the said articles of association, and their associates and fellow members of said church, and all who may thereafter become members of said church, according to the discipline, rules, and usages of the Free Methodist church, shall thereby become, and thenceforth be a body politic or corporation, by the name expressed in said articles of association, with all the powers, rights, and privileges appertaining to religious corporations by the laws of this state.
History:
1901, Act 29, Imd. Eff. Mar. 26, 1901 ;-- CL 1915, 11006 ;-- CL 1929, 10891 ;-- CL 1948, 458.84 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 445, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 29 of 1901 - Free Methodist Churches (458.81 - 458.93) › Section 458.85 - Church Government; Ecclesiastical Polity.

458.85 Church government; ecclesiastical polity.
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 Free Methodist church of North America, as from time to time authorized and declared by the general conference of said church and the annual conference within whose bounds such corporation may be situated.
History:
1901, Act 29, Imd. Eff. Mar. 26, 1901 ;-- CL 1915, 11007 ;-- CL 1929, 10892 ;-- CL 1948, 458.85
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 29 of 1901 - Free Methodist Churches (458.81 - 458.93) › Section 458.86 - Secular Affairs, Management; Board of Trustees, Election, Term, Vacancies.

458.86 Secular affairs, management; board of trustees, election, term, vacancies.
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 said corporation from the membership of the church, the said trustees to hold their office for the term of 1 year. Vacancies in said board may be filled at any time for the balance of the term, by an election as in other cases.
History:
1901, Act 29, Imd. Eff. Mar. 26, 1901 ;-- CL 1915, 11008 ;-- CL 1929, 10893 ;-- CL 1948, 458.86
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 29 of 1901 - Free Methodist Churches (458.81 - 458.93) › Section 458.87 - Powers of Corporation; Execution of Legal Documents; Rights of Ministers and District Elders.

458.87 Powers of corporation; execution of legal documents; rights of ministers and district elders.
Sec. 7.
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 recover and hold the debts, demands, rights, privileges, and all property, whether real or personal, of whatever sort it may be, belonging or appertaining to said church, in whatever manner the same may have been acquired, and in whose hands soever the same may be held, the same as if the right and title had originally been vested in said corporation.
The board of trustees may authorize certain of the officers of said board to affix the corporate name and seal of the corporation, and to execute and attest conveyances, notes, obligations, acquittances and all other legal documents.
It may sell (but not mortgage) or otherwise dispose of its personal property. And it may, under restrictions hereinafter provided, sell, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of or encumber its real estate, but not for current expenses. It may hold so much land as may be needful for the proper purposes of said church and its parsonages. It may also hold for a period not to exceed 10 years, real estate, which may be conveyed or devised to it or to said trustees to be sold and the proceeds to be used in any way for the benefit of said church, as directed in the conveyance or will. Said corporation shall at all times permit such ministers belonging to the Free Methodist church as shall from time to time be duly authorized by the general conference of said church or by the annual conference, within whose bounds the said corporation may be, to preach and expound God's Holy Word therein; and shall permit pastors and district elders duly appointed to execute the discipline of said Free Methodist church, and to administer the sacraments therein.
History:
1901, Act 29, Imd. Eff. Mar. 26, 1901 ;-- CL 1915, 11009 ;-- CL 1929, 10894 ;-- CL 1948, 458.87
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 29 of 1901 - Free Methodist Churches (458.81 - 458.93) › Section 458.88 - Amendment of Articles; Procedure.

458.88 Amendment of articles; procedure.
Sec. 8.
It shall be lawful for any church organized under the provisions of this act, by a 2/3 vote of the official members of the society, to alter or amend its articles of association in any manner not inconsistent with the provisions of this act, or the book of discipline of the Free Methodist church; and such alteration or amendment shall become operative when 2/3 of all the official members of the society shall execute amended articles and the said amended articles are acknowledged in the same manner as stated in section 3 of this act, and the district elder has affixed his certificate thereto, as provided in said section, and the same has been recorded or left for record, as provided in section 4 of this act.
History:
1901, Act 29, Imd. Eff. Mar. 26, 1901 ;-- CL 1915, 11010 ;-- CL 1929, 10895 ;-- CL 1948, 458.88
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 29 of 1901 - Free Methodist Churches (458.81 - 458.93) › Section 458.89 - Sale or Mortgage of Real Estate to Pay Debts or for Re-Investment; Title, Passing to Annual Conference; License to Sell; Procedure.

458.89 Sale or mortgage of real estate to pay debts or for re-investment; title, passing to annual conference; license to sell; procedure.
Sec. 9.
When it shall become necessary for the payment of debts or with a view of re-investment, to make a sale or mortgage of any real estate belonging to said church, the members of the society, by a majority vote of the same, and the consent of the quarterly conference of the district in which the church is located, and with the approval of the district elder, may authorize a sale or mortgage of said real estate by the trustees of said church with such limitations and restrictions as the (district) quarterly conference may judge necessary and impose; and the trustees of said church, when so authorized, may sell and convey or mortgage said property, and with the proceeds of such sale or mortgage pay the debts of such corporation, or re-invest the said proceeds by the purchase or improvement of other property for the same uses and deeded to the corporation in the same manner as provided in section 7 of this act, as said trustees may be directed by the (district) quarterly conference: Provided, That in all cases the proceeds of such sale, after the payment of debts, if any, if not applied to the purchase or improvement of other property as aforesaid, shall be held, by such corporation, subject to the order of the annual conference within the bounds of which such church is located. In all cases where property belonging to any church incorporated under the provisions of this act has been abandoned and is no longer used for the purpose for which said property was acquired, or said corporation has dissolved, or has ceased to exist, the title to the said property belonging to said corporation shall pass to the annual conference within the bounds of which said property is located; and said annual conference may, by such officer or committee as said annual conference may designate for that purpose, apply to the circuit court in chancery, for the county in which such property may be, for license to sell the same; and such license may be granted by said court after such notice of said application as the court may direct; and thereupon said property may be sold, and the proceeds of such sale applied or used as said annual conference may direct.
History:
1901, Act 29, Imd. Eff. Mar. 26, 1901 ;-- CL 1915, 11011 ;-- CL 1929, 10896 ;-- CL 1948, 458.89
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 29 of 1901 - Free Methodist Churches (458.81 - 458.93) › Section 458.90 - Reincorporation Under Act; Procedure.

458.90 Reincorporation under act; procedure.
Sec. 10.
Any Free 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, place itself under the provisions of this act, the same as if originally incorporated under it, by 2/3 of the members of said society executing articles of association as provided in section 3 of this act, and the district elder affixing his certificate thereto, as provided in said section, and recording the same, as provided in section 4 of this act.
History:
1901, Act 29, Imd. Eff. Mar. 26, 1901 ;-- CL 1915, 11012 ;-- CL 1929, 10897 ;-- CL 1948, 458.90
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 29 of 1901 - Free Methodist Churches (458.81 - 458.93) › Section 458.91 - Construction of Inconsistent Acts.

458.91 Construction of inconsistent acts.
Sec. 11.
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 provisions, all other acts or parts of acts inconsistent herewith shall be interpreted and construed in such manner as to give full force and effect to all the provisions of this act, and to all the rights and privileges granted by this act to churches incorporated or placed thereunder.
History:
1901, Act 29, Imd. Eff. Mar. 26, 1901 ;-- CL 1915, 11013 ;-- CL 1929, 10898 ;-- CL 1948, 458.91
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 29 of 1901 - Free Methodist Churches (458.81 - 458.93) › Section 458.92 - Trustees; Evidence of Authority.

458.92 Trustees; evidence of authority.
Sec. 12.
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 that the necessary steps have been taken to give them full authority to make such transaction.
History:
1901, Act 29, Imd. Eff. Mar. 26, 1901 ;-- CL 1915, 11014 ;-- CL 1929, 10899 ;-- CL 1948, 458.92
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 29 of 1901 - Free Methodist Churches (458.81 - 458.93) › Section 458.93 - Extension of Corporate Existence; Adoption and Filing of Resolution; Term; Property and Contract Rights; Corporate Identity.

458.93 Extension of corporate existence; adoption and filing of resolution; term; property and contract rights; corporate identity.
Sec. 13.
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 corporation and securities bureau of the department of commerce, a copy of a resolution expressing a desire to so extend its corporate existence, which resolution shall be adopted by such corporation at a meeting called for the purpose by the pastor of the church or the district elder of the district within which said corporation is located. When such resolution is filed with the corporation and securities bureau of the department of commerce, the corporate existence of such body shall be extended in accordance with the terms of such resolution for a term not exceeding 30 years from the date of the expiration of its former term, and all rights of property and of contract shall remain unimpaired and the corporate identity of such body shall remain unchanged.
History:
1901, Act 29, Imd. Eff. Mar. 26, 1901 ;-- CL 1915, 11015 ;-- CL 1929, 10900 ;-- CL 1948, 458.93 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 445, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983