reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 54 of 1899 - Baptist Churches (458.101 - 458.112) › Section 458.101 - Baptist Church; Adopting Articles of Incorporation; Election of Deacons or Trustees; Execution, Acknowledgement, Contents, and Filing of Certificate; Corporation; Name.

458.101 Baptist church; adopting articles of incorporation; election of deacons or trustees; execution, acknowledgement, contents, and filing of certificate; corporation; name.
Sec. 1.
That whenever a Baptist church shall desire to possess corporate powers and privileges, the members thereof present at any regular church or covenant meeting duly called as hereinafter provided, may by the vote of a majority of the members of such church then present, adopt articles of incorporation in accordance with the provisions of this act, and may thereupon proceed under the provisions of this act to elect the deacons or other persons whom the church may desire to act as its trustees, in number not less than 3 nor more than 9, and it shall then be the duty of the deacons or other persons so elected as trustees for said church, to proceed to execute and acknowledge before any person authorized to take acknowledgment of deeds, a certificate which shall contain:
First, The corporate name of the church;
Second, The township, city or village, and county in which the church is located;
Third, The period for which the church is incorporated, which shall not exceed 30 years;
Fourth, A copy of the records of the vote or resolution of the church authorizing the preparation of the articles of association, as well as a like copy of the vote or resolutions of the church accepting or adopting such articles;
Fifth, A copy of the articles of association so adopted.
Such certificate shall be signed by the aforementioned deacons, or trustees, and when duly acknowledged by the signers thereof, shall be filed with the corporation and securities bureau of the department of commerce, and thereupon the deacons or trustees elected as herein provided, and their successors, together with the members of said church, shall become a corporation known by the name expressed in said certificate.
History:
1899, Act 54, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1899 ;-- CL 1915, 10942 ;-- CL 1929, 10901 ;-- CL 1948, 458.101 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 446, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 54 of 1899 - Baptist Churches (458.101 - 458.112) › Section 458.102 - Trustees; Qualifications, Election.

458.102 Trustees; qualifications, election.
Sec. 2.
The deacons or other persons who shall serve the church as trustees under this act shall be citizens of the United States, 21 years of age or over when elected to office and shall be elected by ballot in accordance with the usage and custom of said church, or in such manner as may be provided in their articles of association.
History:
1899, Act 54, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1899 ;-- CL 1915, 10943 ;-- CL 1929, 10902 ;-- CL 1948, 458.102
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 54 of 1899 - Baptist Churches (458.101 - 458.112) › Section 458.103 - Trustees; Term of Office.

458.103 Trustees; term of office.
Sec. 3.
The deacons or other persons who may be elected as trustees shall hold their office for such length of time, and upon such conditions as the church may designate in their articles of association.
History:
1899, Act 54, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1899 ;-- CL 1915, 10944 ;-- CL 1929, 10903 ;-- CL 1948, 458.103
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 54 of 1899 - Baptist Churches (458.101 - 458.112) › Section 458.104 - Trustees; Subject to Control of Church; Purchase and Sale of Realty.

458.104 Trustees; subject to control of church; purchase and sale of realty.
Sec. 4.
The trustees shall be subject, in all their official duties, to the control and direction of the church, and in case the church shall desire to buy, sell or lease real estate, then a notice declaring such desire and intention, which shall designate the property to be bought, sold or leased, shall be read at the regular church or covenant meeting next preceding the regular meeting, at which final action shall be taken authorizing such purchase, sale or lease; and after such authority shall have been so granted by the church, the trustees shall have full power to purchase, sell or lease such real estate upon such terms and conditions as shall not be inconsistent with the instructions given by the church.
History:
1899, Act 54, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1899 ;-- CL 1915, 10945 ;-- CL 1929, 10904 ;-- CL 1948, 458.104
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 54 of 1899 - Baptist Churches (458.101 - 458.112) › Section 458.105 - Trustees; Powers.

458.105 Trustees; powers.
Sec. 5.
Such trustees may have a common seal, and may alter the same at pleasure; and they may take into their possession and custody all the temporalities of such church, whether the same shall consist of real or personal estate, and whether the same may have been given, granted or devised, directly or indirectly, to such church, or to any person or persons for their use.
History:
1899, Act 54, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1899 ;-- CL 1915, 10946 ;-- CL 1929, 10905 ;-- CL 1948, 458.105
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 54 of 1899 - Baptist Churches (458.101 - 458.112) › Section 458.106 - Trustees; Corporate Powers; Taxation.

458.106 Trustees; corporate powers; taxation.
Sec. 6.
Such trustees may also, in their corporate name, sue and be sued in all courts and places; and they may recover and hold all the debts, demands, rights and privileges due to any church or churches for which they shall be trustees, together with all buildings, burying places, and all the estate and appurtenances belonging to such church or churches in whatsoever manner the same may have been acquired or in whose hands soever the same may be held, as fully as if the right and title thereto had been originally vested in said trustees. And they may hold in perpetuity, lease, sell or construct buildings upon such lands as may be lawfully acquired in the corporate name of such church or churches, or in the name of the trustees acting on behalf of such church or churches, the income from such property, if any, to be used exclusively for church finances. Any land so held by such church or churches, either in the corporate name of any such church or churches or in the name of the trustees on behalf of such church, which is used for purposes other than places of worship, schools, cemeteries, parsonages or other purposes connected directly with the object of such church as a house of worship, shall be subject to taxation the same as property which may be held by private individuals or corporate bodies organized for profit; and the title to any such property which shall be used for any purpose other than a place of worship, a school, a parsonage or a cemetery and the appurtenances thereto, and from which a profit shall be derived, shall not be held for a longer period than 15 years from the date when such church or the trustees thereof acquired such title.
History:
1899, Act 54, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1899 ;-- CL 1915, 10947 ;-- Am. 1917, Act 274, Eff. Aug. 10, 1917 ;-- CL 1929, 10906 ;-- CL 1948, 458.106
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 54 of 1899 - Baptist Churches (458.101 - 458.112) › Section 458.107 - Trustees; Election in Certain Case; Dissolution, Convention Legal Successor.

458.107 Trustees; election in certain case; dissolution, convention legal successor.
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 Baptist convention of the state of Michigan, a corporation organized and existing under an act of the legislature of the state of Michigan, entitled "An act to incorporate the Baptist convention of the state of Michigan," approved February sixteenth, A.D. 1842, and the statutes amendatory thereto, 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.
History:
1899, Act 54, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1899 ;-- CL 1915, 10948 ;-- CL 1929, 10907 ;-- CL 1948, 458.107
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 54 of 1899 - Baptist Churches (458.101 - 458.112) › Section 458.108 - Reincorporation Under Act; Procedure.

458.108 Reincorporation under act; procedure.
Sec. 8.
Any Baptist church or any Baptist church and society incorporated or organized under the laws of this state, may elect to dissolve their existing corporation and take corporate powers under this act: Provided, The consent of the majority of the members of said church or church and society who may be present at such meeting can be obtained at any regular church or covenant meeting of the church: Provided also, That notice shall be given to said church or church and society to meet with the church at its regular church or covenant meeting for the purpose of dissolving said corporation with a view of organizing under the provisions of this act, said notice to be given on the last 2 Sundays preceding the day on which the act of dissolution shall be taken.
History:
1899, Act 54, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1899 ;-- CL 1915, 10949 ;-- CL 1929, 10908 ;-- CL 1948, 458.108
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 54 of 1899 - Baptist Churches (458.101 - 458.112) › Section 458.109 - Certificate of Dissolution; Execution; Acknowledgment; Recording; Powers, Privileges, Duties, Trusts, and Obligations of New Organization.

458.109 Certificate of dissolution; execution; acknowledgment; recording; powers, privileges, duties, trusts, and obligations of new organization.
Sec. 9.
If such consent for dissolving such corporation for the purposes as above mentioned shall be so obtained, then a certificate containing an account of such dissolution shall be executed and acknowledged by the presiding officer and secretary of said meeting, and be recorded in the corporation and securities bureau of the department of commerce, and on compliance with the provisions of this act all the property, powers, privileges, duties, trusts, and obligations of every kind possessed by or pertaining to the original corporation thus dissolved shall pass to and be possessed by the new organization.
History:
1899, Act 54, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1899 ;-- CL 1915, 10950 ;-- CL 1929, 10909 ;-- CL 1948, 458.109 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 446, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 54 of 1899 - Baptist Churches (458.101 - 458.112) › Section 458.110 - Amendment of Articles; Procedure.

458.110 Amendment of articles; procedure.
Sec. 10.
At any time after such church shall have become duly organized under this act, it shall be lawful for any such church, at any regular meeting thereof, of which proper notice shall have been given, as hereinafter provided, by a vote of 2/3 of the members present at such meeting, to amend its articles of association in any manner not inconsistent with the provisions of this act, and such amendments shall become operative on filing a copy of the same, certified by the moderator or chairman and clerk of such meeting, and duly acknowledged by an officer authorized to take acknowledgment of deeds, with the corporation and securities bureau of the department of commerce.
History:
1899, Act 54, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1899 ;-- CL 1915, 10951 ;-- CL 1929, 10910 ;-- CL 1948, 458.110 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 446, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 54 of 1899 - Baptist Churches (458.101 - 458.112) › Section 458.111 - Amendment of Articles.

458.111 Amendment of articles.
Sec. 11.
Whenever it shall be purposed to alter or amend the articles of association of any church organized under this act, such alteration or amendment shall not be adopted until the expiration of at least 3 weeks from the day of the meeting on which the same shall have been first introduced before the church, and such proposed alteration or amendment shall be reduced to writing, when it shall be introduced, and shall not be amended on the same day on which it shall be adopted.
History:
1899, Act 54, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1899 ;-- CL 1915, 10952 ;-- CL 1929, 10911 ;-- CL 1948, 458.111
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 54 of 1899 - Baptist Churches (458.101 - 458.112) › Section 458.112 - Construction of Inconsistent Acts.

458.112 Construction of inconsistent acts.
Sec. 12.
In all cases which may arise in any of the courts of this state in connection with any church which may be incorporated under this act, and in all suits in law or equity to which any such church may be a party, all other acts or parts of acts inconsistent herewith shall be interpreted and construed in such a manner as to give full force to all the rights and privileges hereby granted or intended to be granted.
History:
1899, Act 54, Imd. Eff. May 2, 1899 ;-- CL 1915, 10953 ;-- CL 1929, 10912 ;-- CL 1948, 458.112
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 42 of 1842 - Baptist Convention (458.151 - 458.159) › Section 458.151 - Baptist Convention; Incorporation, Objects.

458.151 Baptist convention; incorporation, objects.
Sec. 1.
That said association of which John Booth is president, and W. Taylor, R. Powell, J. I. Fulton, J. Hall, C. H. Swain, S. Goodman, J. O. Beardsall, M. Allen, J. S. Twiss, J. Knapp, J. Harris, D. B. Brown, E. Weaver and J. Michell are vice presidents; and R. C. Smith, treasurer; and D. B. Brown, auditor; and M. Sanford, secretary; and M. Pearsall, D. Barrett, N. G. Chase, C. L. Bacon, R. B. Rexford, W. S. Gregory, S. Chase, A. Wattles, J. Tenny, L. Moore, T. W. Merrill, M. B. Savage, A. Piper, T. Z. R. Jones, W. G. Wisner, E. Hodge, G. B. Day, W. B. Brown, A. Ten Broek, F. Darrow, D. Hendee, E. Comstock, C. B. Taylor, C. Eldred, C. P. Jacobs, R. Tiffany, E. H. Hamlin, H. D. Buttolph, L. H. Moore and B. G. Lewis, directors, is hereby constituted a body corporate by the name of the Michigan Baptist Convention. The object of this convention shall be:
First. To promote the preaching of the gospel and the establishment and maintenance of Baptist churches and Sunday schools within the state of Michigan.
Second. To encourage the educational interests of the denomination within the state.
Third. The disseminating of the gospel, aiding home and foreign missions, promoting ministerial education, Sabbath school instruction, and the circulation of religious tracts.
History:
1842, Act 42, Eff. Mar. 19, 1842 ;-- Am. 1905, Act 60, Imd. Eff. Apr. 19, 1905 ;-- CL 1929, 10913 ;-- CL 1948, 458.151
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 42 of 1842 - Baptist Convention (458.151 - 458.159) › Section 458.152 - Membership.

458.152 Membership.
Sec. 2.
All persons now members of said association, and every person who shall hereafter pay 1 dollar or more to the treasurer of the corporation and request to become a member thereof, shall be and continue members of the corporation so long as they shall continue to pay annually 1 dollar or more to the treasurer of the corporation, and no longer, and all persons who are life members of said association, and every person who shall hereafter pay at any 1 time, to the treasurer of the corporation, 10 dollars or more, and request to become a life member of the corporation, shall be life members of said corporation.
History:
1842, Act 42, Eff. Mar. 19, 1842 ;-- CL 1929, 10914 ;-- CL 1948, 458.152
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 42 of 1842 - Baptist Convention (458.151 - 458.159) › Section 458.153 - First Meeting, Calling; Annual Meeting.

458.153 First meeting, calling; annual meeting.
Sec. 3.
There shall be a meeting of the members of said corporation once in each year, for the purpose of transacting business, at such time and place as may be designated at a previous meeting. The first meeting under this act of incorporation shall be at Jonesville, on the first Wednesday in October next. Should anything prevent a meeting at that time, or at any other time, to be designated as above provided, it shall be the duty of the president, or in case of his absence, death or refusal, of any other officer or director, on the written request of a majority of the board of directors, to call a meeting of the members of said incorporation, at any time within 6 months thereafter, by giving 2 months notice of the time and place of such meeting in some newspaper published in this state.
History:
1842, Act 42, Eff. Mar. 19, 1842 ;-- CL 1929, 10915 ;-- CL 1948, 458.153
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 42 of 1842 - Baptist Convention (458.151 - 458.159) › Section 458.154 - First Meeting; Election of Officers and Directors; Terms of Office; Board of Managers; Powers of Convention.

458.154 First meeting; election of officers and directors; terms of office; board of managers; powers of convention.
Sec. 4.
At such meeting there shall be elected by ballot a president, 1 or more vice presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, an auditor and 30 directors. All of these shall be members of Baptist churches, and these shall constitute a board of managers for the transaction of all such business of the corporation as shall be entrusted to them for that purpose by the by-laws, rules and regulations made, or any resolution passed at any annual meeting of the members of the corporation, who shall have power from time to time to make all necessary by-laws, rules and regulations, and pass all necessary resolutions for that purpose, and to repeal, alter, or amend the same at pleasure, and to require security by bond or otherwise from any or all of said officers for the faithful performance of their duties. The president, vice-president, treasurer, auditor, secretary and directors, hereinbefore named, shall continue to hold their respective offices until the next meeting of the members of the corporation as hereinbefore provided, and until their successors are elected.
History:
1842, Act 42, Eff. Mar. 19, 1842 ;-- Am. 1905, Act 60, Imd. Eff. Apr. 19, 1905 ;-- CL 1929, 10916 ;-- CL 1948, 458.154
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 42 of 1842 - Baptist Convention (458.151 - 458.159) › Section 458.156 - Donations; Use.

458.156 Donations; use.
Sec. 6.
All money or property given to the corporation, for any 1 of the objects specified in the last preceding section, to be designated by the donor, shall be used by the corporation for that object and no other; and all moneys or property given to the corporation generally, and without the donors specifying the particular object to which it shall be applied, may be used to promote any 1 or more of the objects named in said section.
History:
1842, Act 42, Eff. Mar. 19, 1842 ;-- CL 1929, 10918 ;-- CL 1948, 458.156
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 42 of 1842 - Baptist Convention (458.151 - 458.159) › Section 458.157 - Members; Powers at Any Meeting.

458.157 Members; powers at any meeting.
Sec. 7.
The members of the corporation shall have power at any meeting held, as aforesaid, to provide by their by-laws that any number of persons associated together for any of the purposes mentioned in this act of incorporation may, as auxiliary societies, be represented by their delegates at all meetings of the members of this corporation, and that such delegates may be entitled to vote at such meetings and for that purpose be considered as members of the corporation, and that any such society or any individual who shall pay 50 dollars or more annually, to said corporation shall have the right to appoint a member of the board of managers hereinbefore mentioned, the members of which may be increased for that purpose, and they may also provide by their by-laws what number of members of the board of managers shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and also to provide for an executive committee of said board of managers for the transaction of such business of said corporation as shall be, by said by-laws, entrusted to said executive committee.
History:
1842, Act 42, Eff. Mar. 19, 1842 ;-- Am. 1905, Act 60, Imd. Eff. Apr. 19, 1905 ;-- CL 1929, 10919 ;-- CL 1948, 458.157
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 42 of 1842 - Baptist Convention (458.151 - 458.159) › Section 458.158 - By-Laws and Rules.

458.158 By-laws and rules.
Sec. 8.
All by-laws, rules and regulations now in existence of the society and not inconsistent with this act of incorporation, shall continue to be the by-laws, rules and regulations of the corporation, until annulled or superseded by some other by-law, rule or regulation of the corporation.
History:
1842, Act 42, Eff. Mar. 19, 1842 ;-- CL 1929, 10920 ;-- CL 1948, 458.158
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 42 of 1842 - Baptist Convention (458.151 - 458.159) › Section 458.159 - Repeal of Act.

458.159 Repeal of act.
Sec. 9.
This act may be repealed at any time by the legislature.
History:
1842, Act 42, Eff. Mar. 19, 1842 ;-- CL 1929, 10921 ;-- CL 1948, 458.159
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 32 of 1929 - Dissolution of Baptist Ecclesiastical Societies (458.171 - 458.172) › Section 458.171 - Meeting of Incorporated Society; Calling.

458.171 Meeting of incorporated society; calling.
Sec. 1.
Whenever any Baptist church in connection with which there is an incorporated religious or ecclesiastical society organized in accordance with the laws of the territory or state of Michigan, at any regular or called meeting, shall express by ballot and by 2/3 vote of its qualified members present and voting a desire to assume said corporate powers and the direction and control of its property and secular affairs, the trustees of said society upon receiving official notification of the vote of said church shall forthwith call a meeting of said society of which meeting notice shall be given on 3 successive Sundays next preceding the date of said meeting, specifying the time, place and object thereof to consider and vote upon the questions stated in section 2 hereof.
History:
1929, Act 32, Imd. Eff. Apr. 4, 1929 ;-- CL 1929, 10922 ;-- CL 1948, 458.171
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 32 of 1929 - Dissolution of Baptist Ecclesiastical Societies (458.171 - 458.172) › Section 458.172 - Meeting of Incorporated Society; Question Put to Vote; Dissolution of Society; Property, Passing to Incorporated Church.

458.172 Meeting of incorporated society; question put to vote; dissolution of society; property, passing to incorporated church.
Sec. 2.
At the meeting so called the following question shall be put to vote:
"Shall the title to all the property of the (name of society) be vested in the .......... BAPTIST CHURCH of .............. Michigan and the said society be dissolved?"
The vote shall be by ballot and if 2/3 of the ballots cast shall be in the affirmative a duly certified copy of such resolution shall be transmitted to the clerk of said church who shall call a meeting of said church which shall then prepare, execute and place on record articles of association under and in accordance with the provisions of Act No. 54 of the Public Acts of 1899, and the amendments thereto, or such other act of the state of Michigan as may authorize the incorporation of churches and upon recording of said articles of association as provided in said act the said society shall be dissolved and all property owned by it shall pass to and be held by the said church so incorporated under the name and style adopted by it in the said articles of association and all liabilities of said society shall be assumed and paid by said church.
History:
1929, Act 32, Imd. Eff. Apr. 4, 1929 ;-- CL 1929, 10923 ;-- CL 1948, 458.172
Compiler's Notes:
For provisions of Act 54 of 1899, referred to in this section, see MCL 458.101 et seq.
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 265 of 1909 - United Presbyterian Churches (458.201 - 458.213) › Section 458.201 - Presbyterian Church (Usa); Articles of Association; Notice; Adoption; Board of Trustees.

458.201 Presbyterian church (USA); articles of association; notice; adoption; board of trustees.
Sec. 1.
When a church worshiping according to the faith and polity of the Presbyterian Church (USA) shall desire to possess corporate powers, the members of the church present at a regular meeting of the church, notice of the proposed action having been given at 2 previous regular meetings, the first meeting being held at least 2 weeks previous to the regular meeting, may, by vote of a majority of the members then present, adopt articles of association in accordance with this act, and may then proceed under the articles to elect not less than 3 persons, a majority of whom shall be members of the church, to act as the first board of trustees of the corporate body.
History:
1909, Act 265, Eff. Sept. 1, 1909 ;-- CL 1915, 11087 ;-- CL 1929, 10924 ;-- CL 1948, 458.201 ;-- Am. 1960, Act 70, Eff. Aug. 17, 1960 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 274, Imd. Eff. Oct. 14, 1976 ;-- Am. 1984, Act 39, Imd. Eff. Mar. 26, 1984
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 265 of 1909 - United Presbyterian Churches (458.201 - 458.213) › Section 458.202 - Certificate; Execution, Contents.

458.202 Certificate; execution, contents.
Sec. 2.
It shall be the duty of the persons so chosen as such trustees to proceed to execute in duplicate, and acknowledge before any person authorized to take acknowledgment of deeds, a certificate which shall contain:
First, A copy of the records showing the proceedings and vote on the resolution accepting and adopting such articles of association;
Second, A copy of the articles of association so adopted, which shall give the name of the corporation; the name of the township, village or city, and of the county in which it is located; a statement of the purpose of the incorporation; the period for which it is incorporated; and it may contain such other provisions as may be desired and as are appropriate and in accordance with law.
History:
1909, Act 265, Eff. Sept. 1, 1909 ;-- CL 1915, 11088 ;-- CL 1929, 10925 ;-- CL 1948, 458.202
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 265 of 1909 - United Presbyterian Churches (458.201 - 458.213) › Section 458.204 - Property Rights of Corporation; Government.

458.204 Property rights of corporation; government.
Sec. 4.
The corporation shall succeed to all the property rights of the church out of which it is incorporated and, subject to the civil law, shall be governed by the form of government, discipline, rules, and usages of the Presbyterian Church (USA), as promulgated by the general assembly of said church and the presbytery within whose jurisdiction the corporation may be located.
History:
1909, Act 265, Eff. Sept. 1, 1909 ;-- CL 1915, 11090 ;-- CL 1929, 10927 ;-- CL 1948, 458.204 ;-- Am. 1960, Act 70, Eff. Aug. 17, 1960 ;-- Am. 1984, Act 39, Imd. Eff. Mar. 26, 1984
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 265 of 1909 - United Presbyterian Churches (458.201 - 458.213) › Section 458.205 - Powers of Corporation.

458.205 Powers of corporation.
Sec. 5.
Such corporation may have a seal and alter the same at will; it may, in its corporate name, sue and be sued in all the courts of this state; it shall have power to acquire, hold, sell and convey property, both real and personal, in accordance with this act; it may hold and recover all debts, demands, rights, privileges, and all property, real or personal, of whatsoever nature it may be, belonging or appertaining to said church, out of which, and as auxiliary to which, it is incorporated, in whatsoever manner the same may have been acquired and in whosoever hands the same may be held, the same as if the right and title to the same had originally been vested in said corporation; it may hold so much real property as may be needed for the purposes of church building and a manse or parsonage; it may also hold for a period not exceeding 10 years, such real estate as may be conveyed or devised to it, even though the same may not be needed for a church building or a parsonage, the proceeds from the same when sold to be used for said church purposes as may be determined upon.
History:
1909, Act 265, Eff. Sept. 1, 1909 ;-- CL 1915, 11091 ;-- CL 1929, 10928 ;-- CL 1948, 458.205
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 265 of 1909 - United Presbyterian Churches (458.201 - 458.213) › Section 458.206 - Trustees; Qualifications; Election; Term.

458.206 Trustees; qualifications; election; term.
Sec. 6.
The trustees aforesaid, and as well their successors in office, shall be adult citizens of the United States, shall be chosen by ballot, or as provided in the articles of association, and shall hold office for a length of time, and upon conditions, as shall be provided in the articles.
History:
1909, Act 265, Eff. Sept. 1, 1909 ;-- CL 1915, 11092 ;-- CL 1929, 10929 ;-- CL 1948, 458.206 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 274, Imd. Eff. Oct. 14, 1976
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 265 of 1909 - United Presbyterian Churches (458.201 - 458.213) › Section 458.207 - Trustees; Powers; Disposal of Realty.

458.207 Trustees; powers; disposal of realty.
Sec. 7.
The secular affairs of said church shall, subject to the control of the general corporate body, be managed by such board of trustees. It shall have power to purchase, build, repair, lease, sell, rent, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of property: Provided, That before it shall sell, mortgage or otherwise encumber or dispose of real property the consent of the corporation shall be given by an affirmative vote of at least 2/3 of all members present at a public meeting, who are entitled to vote for trustees under this act, of which meeting 10 days' notice at least shall be given, stating the time, place and object thereof.
History:
1909, Act 265, Eff. Sept. 1, 1909 ;-- CL 1915, 11093 ;-- CL 1929, 10930 ;-- CL 1948, 458.207
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 265 of 1909 - United Presbyterian Churches (458.201 - 458.213) › Section 458.208 - Trustees; Temporary Vacancies.

458.208 Trustees; temporary vacancies.
Sec. 8.
If it shall happen that an organization incorporated under this act shall be temporarily without officers, such corporations shall not for that reason be dissolved, but such corporation may proceed to elect trustees as provided in this act and the articles of association.
History:
1909, Act 265, Eff. Sept. 1, 1909 ;-- CL 1915, 11094 ;-- CL 1929, 10931 ;-- CL 1948, 458.208
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 265 of 1909 - United Presbyterian Churches (458.201 - 458.213) › Section 458.209 - Title; Passing to Presbytery; Sale of Property; Dissolution of Corporation.

458.209 Title; passing to presbytery; sale of property; dissolution of corporation.
Sec. 9.
In all cases where property belonging to any organization 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 a church society, and has not been conveyed by said corporation under the provisions of this act, or if said corporation has been dissolved or become extinct, the title of said property shall pass to the presbytery within the bounds of which the said corporation is situated and said presbytery may by such officer or committee as said presbytery 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 shall be granted by said court, after such notice of said application, as said court may direct, has been given, and thereupon said property may be sold, and the proceeds of said sale disposed of as directed by said presbytery; and said court upon hearing of said application, may dissolve said corporation when it shall appear by proof that such society has ceased to support a pastor or performed the usual functions of a church for a period of 2 years.
History:
1909, Act 265, Eff. Sept. 1, 1909 ;-- CL 1915, 11095 ;-- CL 1929, 10932 ;-- CL 1948, 458.209
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 265 of 1909 - United Presbyterian Churches (458.201 - 458.213) › Section 458.211 - Amendment of Articles; Procedure.

458.211 Amendment of articles; procedure.
Sec. 11.
Any church society incorporated under the provisions of this act, at a meeting called for that purpose of which 4 weeks' notice has been given by announcement at regular services, by a vote of 2/3 of all the qualified members present and voting, may amend its articles of association in any way not inconsistent with the provisions of this act, or the form of government of the Presbyterian Church (USA); and such amendment shall become operative when a certificate such as is provided for in sections 2 and 3 shall be executed and acknowledged by the trustees of the corporation and the same duly recorded as therein provided, showing such action and containing a copy of the amended articles.
History:
1909, Act 265, Eff. Sept. 1, 1909 ;-- CL 1915, 11096 ;-- CL 1929, 10933 ;-- CL 1948, 458.211 ;-- Am. 1960, Act 70, Eff. Aug. 17, 1960 ;-- Am. 1984, Act 39, Imd. Eff. Mar. 26, 1984
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 265 of 1909 - United Presbyterian Churches (458.201 - 458.213) › Section 458.212 - Reincorporation Under Act; Procedure.

458.212 Reincorporation under act; procedure.
Sec. 12.
Any Presbyterian church society heretofore incorporated, or whose corporate term of existence has heretofore expired by limitation, or the trustees of which have heretofore exercised the powers of a body corporate, may, by a 2/3 vote of its qualified members, present and voting, expressed at a meeting called as provided in section 11 hereof, place itself under the provisions of this act the same as if originally incorporated under it, and by executing articles of association as provided in section 11 in case of amendment, and causing the same to be recorded as is further required in case of such amendment.
History:
1909, Act 265, Eff. Sept. 1, 1909 ;-- CL 1915, 11097 ;-- Am. 1917, Act 64, Eff. Aug. 10, 1917 ;-- CL 1929, 10934 ;-- CL 1948, 458.212
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 265 of 1909 - United Presbyterian Churches (458.201 - 458.213) › Section 458.213 - Trustees; Evidence of Authority.

458.213 Trustees; evidence of authority.
Sec. 13.
It is further provided that the execution by the trustees of said corporation of any deed, note, mortgage, bond or other obligation, or contract of said corporation, in proper form, shall be prima facie evidence of the proper appointment of said trustee, and that such act has been properly authorized by the corporation as hereinbefore provided.
History:
1909, Act 265, Eff. Sept. 1, 1909 ;-- CL 1915, 11098 ;-- CL 1929, 10935 ;-- CL 1948, 458.213
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 40 of 1899 - Protestant Episcopal Churches (458.251 - 458.263) › Section 458.251 - Protestant Episcopal Church; Incorporation, Procedure; Body Corporate.

458.251 Protestant Episcopal church; incorporation, procedure; body corporate.
Sec. 1.
It shall be lawful for any 6 or more persons, professing attachment to the Protestant Episcopal church, to execute and acknowledge, before any person authorized to take acknowledgments of deeds, 1 or more duplicate articles of agreement, in writing, whereby they shall agree to organize a church according to the usages of the Protestant Episcopal church, by the name and style set forth in such articles; and upon the execution and acknowledgment and filing thereof, as herein provided, such church shall become a body politic and corporate, by the name set forth in said articles, in accordance with the constitution, canons, doctrine, discipline and worship of the Protestant Episcopal church.
History:
1899, Act 40, Imd. Eff. Apr. 18, 1899 ;-- CL 1915, 10928 ;-- CL 1929, 10936 ;-- CL 1948, 458.251
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 40 of 1899 - Protestant Episcopal Churches (458.251 - 458.263) › Section 458.252 - Protestant Episcopal Church; Articles, Contents; Name; Location; Vestry Members.

458.252 Protestant Episcopal church; articles, contents; name; location; vestry members.
Sec. 2.
The articles shall contain:
First, The name of the proposed church;
Second, The township or city and county in which it is located;
Third, The number of vestry members, not less than 6 nor more than 15, who shall have charge of the temporal affairs of such church, and the time of the annual meeting, which shall be during the first 2 weeks of January, and no church shall be incorporated, in any township or city, bearing the same name as any other Protestant Episcopal church theretofore organized therein.
History:
1899, Act 40, Imd. Eff. Apr. 18, 1899 ;-- CL 1915, 10929 ;-- Am. 1917, Act 62, Eff. Aug. 10, 1917 ;-- CL 1929, 10937 ;-- CL 1948, 458.252 ;-- Am. 1954, Act 23, Eff. Aug. 13, 1954 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 136, Imd. Eff. May 28, 1957
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 40 of 1899 - Protestant Episcopal Churches (458.251 - 458.263) › Section 458.253 - Filing Articles; Acquisition of Title to Property.

458.253 Filing articles; acquisition of title to property.
Sec. 3.
Such articles of agreement, when duly signed and acknowledged, shall be filed with the corporation and securities bureau of the department of commerce; and it shall not be lawful for such church to acquire the title to any property until such articles are so filed.
History:
1899, Act 40, Imd. Eff. Apr. 18, 1899 ;-- CL 1915, 10930 ;-- CL 1929, 10938 ;-- CL 1948, 458.253 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 472, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 40 of 1899 - Protestant Episcopal Churches (458.251 - 458.263) › Section 458.254 - First Meeting; Calling, Notice; Right to Vote; Election of Vestry Members.

458.254 First meeting; calling, notice; right to vote; election of vestry members.
Sec. 4.
Any 3 or more persons who have signed any such articles may call the first meeting of such church, at such time and place as they may see fit, by publishing a notice for 10 days previous to the time of such meeting in some newspaper published in the city or township in which such church is located; and if no newspaper is published therein, then such notice may be given by posting the same in 3 of the most public places in such city or township; and at such meeting the affidavit of such posting or publishing shall be produced and recorded in the minutes. At such meeting, in addition to the signers of such articles, any other persons who may be authorized by the laws of the church to take part in the incorporation of parishes shall be entitled to vote, who shall sign a declaration in writing, to be kept in the book of minutes, whereby he or she shall signify an intention of becoming attached to said church, and accepting the terms of such articles. Vestry members of the church shall be elected at said meeting or any adjournment thereof.
History:
1899, Act 40, Imd. Eff. Apr. 18, 1899 ;-- CL 1915, 10931 ;-- CL 1929, 10939 ;-- CL 1948, 458.254 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 136, Imd. Eff. May 28, 1957
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 40 of 1899 - Protestant Episcopal Churches (458.251 - 458.263) › Section 458.256 - Wardens; Secretary, Treasurer; Meetings of Vestry, Presiding Officer, Quorum, Vacancy.

458.256 Wardens; secretary, treasurer; meetings of vestry, presiding officer, quorum, vacancy.
Sec. 6.
The vestry members shall annually choose by ballot from their own body 2 members, who shall be communicants, to be wardens. They shall also appoint a secretary and a treasurer, who may be members of their own body, and they may employ such other agents and servants as may be required. Meetings of the vestry may be called by the rector of the church by giving due notice thereof at any regular service on Sunday, or they may be called by serving upon the rector and upon all members of the vestry a notice in writing, signed by the rector, either warden or any 2 vestry members. A majority of the vestry members elected shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The rector, when present, shall preside at all vestry meetings, but shall have no vote except in case of a tie; and in his absence from the meeting, 1 of the wardens, if present, shall preside. All vacancies in such vestry may be filled by the remaining vestry members at any meeting, and the persons so elected shall hold office for the same period as their predecessors would have held.
History:
1899, Act 40, Imd. Eff. Apr. 18, 1899 ;-- CL 1915, 10933 ;-- CL 1929, 10941 ;-- CL 1948, 458.256 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 136, Imd. Eff. May 28, 1957
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 40 of 1899 - Protestant Episcopal Churches (458.251 - 458.263) › Section 458.257 - Powers of Vestry; Owner of Pew or Slip.

458.257 Powers of vestry; owner of pew or slip.
Sec. 7.
The vestry shall have the care and management of all the temporal affairs of such church, and they shall have authority, in the corporate name, to lease or to purchase and hold such real estate as shall be reasonably necessary for a church building, chapel, parish house, lecture and school rooms, and for dwellings for the ministers thereof; but it shall not be lawful for such corporation to hold or use any real estate for any other purpose for a longer period than 10 years. The said vestry shall also have power to alienate or encumber any of the property of said corporation, but they shall not have power or authority to alienate or encumber any real estate purchased or held for any of the purposes above enumerated, without being first authorized to do so by a vote of the congregation of the parish, at the annual meeting or at a special meeting called for such purpose, and no other person shall vote at such special meeting except those qualified to vote at the annual meeting; nor shall it be lawful to encumber or alienate any such property without the previous consent of the bishop, acting with the advice and consent of the standing committee of the diocese in which such property is situated. Said vestry shall have authority to erect, alter, repair, enlarge, take down or remove and rebuild any church or other building belonging to such corporation, provided such vestry shall first have obtained from the parish authority so to do, in the manner hereinbefore provided for alienating or encumbering the property thereof. No owner of any pew or slip in such church shall be held to be the owner of any interest in the land whereon the same is erected.
History:
1899, Act 40, Imd. Eff. Apr. 18, 1899 ;-- CL 1915, 10934 ;-- CL 1929, 10942 ;-- CL 1948, 458.257
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 40 of 1899 - Protestant Episcopal Churches (458.251 - 458.263) › Section 458.258 - Record of Proceedings; Inspection, Evidence.

458.258 Record of proceedings; inspection, evidence.
Sec. 8.
The vestry shall keep a record of their proceedings, which, together with a record of the meetings of the congregation of the parish, shall, at all times, be open to the inspection of any officer of the parish, and of all persons qualified to vote at the annual meeting of such church. Such records shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated.
History:
1899, Act 40, Imd. Eff. Apr. 18, 1899 ;-- CL 1915, 10935 ;-- CL 1929, 10943 ;-- CL 1948, 458.258
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 40 of 1899 - Protestant Episcopal Churches (458.251 - 458.263) › Section 458.259 - Reorganization and Extension of Corporate Life; Procedure.

458.259 Reorganization and extension of corporate life; procedure.
Sec. 9.
Any Protestant Episcopal church whose corporate term of existence has expired, or may be about to expire, or may hereafter expire, by limitation, may be reorganized under this act, so as to become subject to the provisions thereof, whenever the wardens and vestry members, de jure or de facto, shall execute and file articles of agreement as provided in this act. Said wardens and vestry members, de jure or de facto, are hereby authorized by their names of office to make, sign, acknowledge, execute and file 1 or more duplicate articles of agreement, as provided in sections 1, 2 and 3 of this act, which articles shall, in addition to the requisites in said last mentioned sections named, set forth that they are executed for the purpose of reorganizing said corporation according to the provisions of this act, and such articles shall be deemed sufficient when so executed and filed, although the number of signers shall be less than 6, if they shall constitute the majority of such wardens and vestry members, de jure or de facto. Upon the execution and filing of said articles such corporation shall, without further action, be deemed to all intents and purposes reorganized, and the corporate identity of such corporations shall continue unchanged.
History:
1899, Act 40, Imd. Eff. Apr. 18, 1899 ;-- CL 1915, 10936 ;-- CL 1929, 10944 ;-- CL 1948, 458.259 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 136, Imd. Eff. May 28, 1957
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 458 - Ecclesiastical Corporations › Act 40 of 1899 - Protestant Episcopal Churches (458.251 - 458.263) › Section 458.260 - Amendment of Articles; Procedure; Existing Amendments Declared Valid.

458.260 Amendment of articles; procedure; existing amendments declared valid.
Sec. 10.
Any church incorporated under this act may, at any annual meeting, or at any special meeting, called for that purpose, by a vote of the majority of those present qualified to vote and voting on the question, amend its articles of agreement in any manner not inconsistent with the provisions of this act, of the constitution and canons of the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States of America, and of the diocese in which said church shall be located, and such amendments shall become operative on filing a copy of the same, certified by the presiding officer and secretary of such meeting, with the corporation and securities bureau of the department of commerce; and all such amendments heretofore made by any Protestant Episcopal church are hereby declared to be valid and binding.
History:
1899, Act 40, Imd. Eff. Apr. 18, 1899 ;-- CL 1915, 10937 ;-- CL 1929, 10945 ;-- CL 1948, 458.260 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 472, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983