reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:2-16 - Dissolution

16:2-16. Dissolution
Any Baptist church incorporated under any law of this state may dissolve by a two-thirds vote of the members, entitled to vote, present and voting at a meeting held in its meetinghouse or usual place of assembly for worship, after at least ten days' notice set up at or near such place of meeting. A certificate of the adoption of the resolution of the members to dissolve over the corporate seal of said church and the signature of the presiding officer and clerk or secretary of the meeting, or the president and secretary of the board of trustees, and verified by the officers signing it, shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the county where such church is located. Thereupon such church shall be dissolved, and the trustees shall remain trustees for the purpose of settling the affairs, in the same manner and with the same powers as are conferred by law upon directors of corporations that are dissolved.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:2-17 - Incorporation; powers and privileges

16:2-17. Incorporation; powers and privileges
Any association composed of representatives from Baptist churches may incorporate in the following manner:
At any regular meeting such association shall adopt a name and resolve to be incorporated by such name. The clerk, secretary or person having custody of the minutes of the association shall make a certificate embodying such resolution, duly verify it by oath, and file the same in the office of the secretary of state. Thereupon such association shall be a corporation by the name stated in such certificate, with the same powers and privileges, and subject to the same restrictions, as if incorporated under article 1 of chapter 1 of this title (s. 16:1-1 et seq.).
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:2-18 - Change of name; certificate; filing

16:2-18. Change of name; certificate; filing
Any association of Baptist churches, incorporated under the laws of this state, may change its corporate name by a majority vote of its members assembled at any regular meeting, specifying by such vote the new name. A certificate of such vote, stating the old and the new names of the association, over the hand of the presiding officer of the association and attested by the clerk, shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state. Thereupon such association shall be known by the new name so adopted, and shall, by such new name, have, hold and retain all its property, and possess and enjoy the same rights and powers and be subject to the same liabilities as if the name had not been changed.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:2-19 - Disposition of property; reversionary interests; liens

16:2-19. Disposition of property; reversionary interests; liens
All the real and personal property belonging to or held in trust for any Baptist church or Baptist religious society or belonging to or held in trust for any Seventh-Day Baptist church or Seventh-Day Baptist religious society that has or shall become extinct shall vest in and become the property of the New Jersey Baptist Missionary Convention, its successors and assigns, in the case of a Baptist church or Baptist religious society, and in the case of a Seventh-Day Baptist church or Seventh-Day Baptist religious society, the property of the Seventh-Day Baptist Missionary Society, its successors and assigns. The title to any Baptist church or religious society held by any Baptist association of this state, or the reversionary interest of any person in the property of such Baptist or Seventh-Day Baptist church or religious society, or any valid lien thereon, shall not be affected by anything contained herein.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:2-20 - Dissolution of church

16:2-20. Dissolution of church
Any Baptist church or religious society or any Seventh-Day Baptist church or religious society in this State, which has ceased, or failed to maintain religious worship, or services, or to use its property for religious worship or services according to the tenets, usages and customs of Baptist churches in this State, or of Seventh-Day Baptist churches which are members of the Seventh-Day Baptist General Conference, as the case may be, for the space of 2 consecutive years immediately prior to the commencement of the action; or whose membership has so diminished in numbers, or in financial strength, as to render it impossible or impracticable to maintain religious worship or services or to protect its property from exposure to waste and dilapidation, or to fulfill the purpose for which it was incorporated, shall be deemed and taken to be extinct. The Superior Court in a civil action, proceeding in a summary manner or otherwise, may dissolve any such church or religious society.
Amended by L.1953, c. 16, p. 142, s. 5; L.1963, c. 81, s. 3, eff. June 4, 1963.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:2-21 - Action for dissolution; disposition of property

16:2-21. Action for dissolution; disposition of property
Such an action may be brought by any member, trustee or officer of the New Jersey Baptist Missionary Convention or of the Seventh-Day Baptist Missionary Society, as the case may be, or any member of such church or society, when duly authorized by the board of managers of said New Jersey Baptist Missionary Convention, or the board of trustees of the Seventh-Day Baptist Missionary Society, as the case may be. If necessary or proper so to do, for any of the causes mentioned in section 16:2-20 of this Title, the court shall declare such church or society extinct, dissolving the same, and transferring to and vesting in the New Jersey Baptist Missionary Convention, or the Seventh-Day Baptist Missionary Society, as the case may be, any property, and the title and possession thereof, which may belong to such church or society, or which may be held in trust for it.
Amended by L.1953, c. 16, p. 143, s. 6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:3-1 - Incorporation; meeting for

16:3-1. Incorporation; meeting for
Any church of Christ, Scientist, in this state, which is a branch of and organized in accordance with the provisions of the manual of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, hereinafter referred to as the mother church, may incorporate in the following manner:
A meeting of the church shall be called by written notice, signed by six duly enrolled members of full age, setting forth the time and place of the meeting and that the meeting is for the purpose of incorporating the church, selecting a corporate name and electing trustees thereof. The notice shall be publicly read at each regular service of such church, on the two successive Sundays and the Wednesday next preceding the meeting.
At the time and place so appointed, one of the signers of the notice shall call the meeting to order. A chairman, clerk and two inspectors of election shall then be elected. The clerk and the inspectors of election shall be the judges of the qualifications of the voters and shall receive the ballots cast. Only duly enrolled members of said church, in good and regular standing and of full age, shall be entitled to vote or act as officers at the meeting. Nine qualified voters shall constitute a quorum and all questions shall be decided by a majority vote of those present.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:3-2 - Meeting; facts to be determined; election of trustees; tenure

16:3-2. Meeting; facts to be determined; election of trustees; tenure
The meeting shall decide whether the church shall become incorporated and if it decides in favor of incorporation, it shall decide further:
a. The corporate title, which shall be "Church of Christ, Scientist" , prefixed by "First" , "Second" , "Third" or other numerical designation, and followed by the name of the place where it shall be located;
b. The date for holding the first annual election of the trustees; and
c. The number of trustees of the church, which shall not be less than three.
The meeting shall elect, by ballot, from the individuals qualified to vote thereat, the number of trustees so decided upon, which shall be divided into three classes to serve for one, two and three years respectively, or until their successors are elected and take office. Each trustee shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:3-3 - Certificate; contents; recording

16:3-3. Certificate; contents; recording
The chairman and clerk of the meeting shall make, sign and acknowledge, before any person authorized to take the acknowledgment and proof of deeds in this state, a certificate in writing, setting forth:
a. That the meeting was called and organized in accordance with section 16:3-1 of this title;
b. The name assumed as the corporate title; and
c. The number and names of the trustees and the term of office of each.
This certificate shall be transmitted by said chairman and secretary to the clerk of the county in which the church is located, whose duty it shall be to file and record the same forthwith, for which service he shall be entitled to receive the fee provided in section 22:2-19 of the title Fees and Costs. Thereupon said trustees and their successors shall be a corporation by the name stated in the certificate.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:3-4 - Powers; sale of property subject to approval of members; by-laws

16:3-4. Powers; sale of property subject to approval of members; by-laws
Every such incorporated board of trustees elected in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall have power to:
Have perpetual succession by its corporate name;
Sue and be sued;
Adopt and use a common seal and alter the same;
Purchase, lease, acquire, receive, have and hold any lands, tenements, hereditaments, legacies, donations, moneys, goods and chattels in trust for the use of the enrolled members of such church; and to sell, grant, convey, mortgage, lease, assign or otherwise dispose of the same or any part thereof; provided, that no such sale, conveyance, mortgage or lease of any real property, held in trust as aforesaid shall be made unless previously authorized by two-thirds of the votes cast at a regular or special meeting of its enrolled members duly called for that purpose.
Every church of Christ, Scientist, incorporated according to the provisions of this chapter shall have power to make such by-laws as are not inconsistent with the constitution or laws of the United States or of this State, or with the provisions of the manual of said the mother church.
Amended by L.1953, c. 16, p. 144, s. 7, eff. March 19, 1953.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:3-5 - Trustees; filling vacancies; election

16:3-5. Trustees; filling vacancies; election
The enrolled members of any such church, who are twenty-one years of age, may assemble at a duly called regular or special meeting, and may at such meeting fill any vacancies in the board of trustees or elect new ones, by the same vote required for the election of the first trustees.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:3-6 - Reincorporation under this chapter

16:3-6. Reincorporation under this chapter
Any church of Christ, Scientist, which is a branch of and organized in accordance with the provisions of the manual of the mother church and incorporated under the provisions of any general, special or private act of this state, may incorporate under this chapter upon complying with sections 16:3-1 to 16:3-3 of this title, in the same manner as if it had not previously been incorporated. Where the trustees of the congregation of such church, so seeking to incorporate, are incorporated under article 1 of chapter 1 of this title (s. 16:1-1 et seq.), such congregation shall first decide, by a two-thirds vote of those present at a regular or special meeting duly called for that purpose, that the new corporation, when duly organized under this chapter, shall be entitled to and invested with all the real and personal estate of the old corporation, in like manner and to the same extent as the old corporation, subject to all its debts and liabilities. The certificate of the new corporation shall set forth that such congregational meeting was duly called and a copy of the resolution adopted at the meeting. Thereupon the former corporation shall be dissolved and the new corporation shall be entitled to and invested with all the real and personal estate of the former corporation, in like manner and to the same extent as the former corporation, but subject to all its debts and liabilities.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:3-7 - Changes; title; number of trustees

16:3-7. Changes; title; number of trustees
Any such corporation may, at a regular or special meeting of its enrolled members, duly called for the purpose, change its corporate title or the number of its trustees, by a two-thirds vote of those present, who are twenty-one years of age. A certificate shall thereupon be executed by the chairman and clerk of the meeting in the same manner as provided for the execution of the certificate of incorporation and shall be immediately filed and recorded in the office of the clerk of the county where the church is located, for which service he shall be entitled to receive the fee provided in section 22:2-19 of the title Fees and Costs. Thereupon the change shall take effect.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:3-8 - Right to consolidate

16:3-8. Right to consolidate
Any church of Christ, Scientist, in this state, which is a branch of, and which is organized in accordance with the provisions of the manual of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, may unite and consolidate, under the conditions prescribed by said manual, with any other church of Christ, Scientist, in this state, which is such a branch and is so organized. The right to consolidate two such churches into one is conferred without regard to whether the churches to be consolidated are incorporated under this chapter or under any other general or special law of this state, and without regard to whether or not the churches to be consolidated are both incorporated under the same law.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:3-9 - Consolidation; agreement

16:3-9. Consolidation; agreement
Such consolidation may be effected in the following manner:
A written agreement, setting forth the corporate title of the new church, the number of trustees of the new church, the date for holding the first annual election of trustees, and fixing the time and place for the first consolidated meeting of the duly enrolled members of such consolidating churches, shall be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the duly enrolled members of each of the churches to be consolidated, who are present at a regular or special meeting of the church, regularly called. This agreement, when adopted, shall be signed by the president or chairman of the board of trustees or directors and shall be attested by the secretary or clerk of each of the churches adopting it.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:3-10 - Consolidation; meeting; election of trustees; tenure

16:3-10. Consolidation; meeting; election of trustees; tenure
At the time and place fixed by the agreement for holding the first consolidated meeting of the churches that have entered into the agreement, the members of both churches shall meet. The meeting may be called to order by any member of either church. Only duly enrolled members, in good and regular standing, shall be entitled to vote or act as officers. Sixteen qualified voters shall constitute a quorum and all questions shall be decided by a majority vote of those present. A chairman and clerk and two inspectors of election shall be elected from the qualified voters present. The clerk of the meeting and the inspectors of election shall be the judges of the qualifications of the voters and shall receive the ballots cast.
The meeting shall elect, by ballot, from the persons qualified to vote thereat, the number of trustees provided for by the agreement of consolidation, which shall be divided into three classes to serve for one, two and three years respectively, or until their successors are elected and take office. Each trustee shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:3-11 - Certificate; contents; filing and recording; consolidation effected on; property

16:3-11. Certificate; contents; filing and recording; consolidation effected on; property
The chairman and clerk of such meeting shall make, sign and acknowledge before any person authorized to take the acknowledgment and proof of deeds in this state a certificate in writing setting forth:
a. The adoption of the agreement of consolidation;
b. The name assumed as the corporate title; and
c. The number and names of the trustees and the term of office of each.
This certificate shall be transmitted to the clerk of the county in which such church is located, who shall file and record the same forthwith, for which service he shall be entitled to receive the fee provided in section 22:2-19 of the title Fees and Costs. Thereupon said trustees and their successors shall be a corporation under this chapter by the title stated in such certificate, in which new corporation the churches uniting shall be consolidated and which new corporation shall be entitled to and invested with all the real and personal property of both the churches consolidated therein, in like manner and to the same extent as such churches so consolidating, subject to all their debts and liabilities.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:4-1 - Incorporation

16:4-1. Incorporation
Any church or congregation now or hereafter established by a branch of any society or confraternity of clergymen in this state may incorporate in the following manner:
The pastor of such church or congregation for the time being, and four of the clergymen resident in the house or parsonage connected with the church or congregation, and members of the society or confraternity by which the church or congregation has been established, who shall be elected by a majority of the clergymen resident as aforesaid, may sign a certificate setting forth the name by which they and their successors shall be known as a corporation, and transmit such certificate to the clerk of the county in which such church or congregation is located, who shall forthwith file and record the same, for which service he shall be entitled to receive the fee provided in section 22:2-19 of the title Fees and Costs. Thereupon such church or congregation shall be a corporation by the name or title so taken, certified and recorded.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:4-3 - Trustees; succession; filling vacancies

16:4-3. Trustees; succession; filling vacancies
The successor in office for the time being of such pastor shall, by virtue of his office, be the trustee of such church or congregation in place of his predecessor. The office of any of the trustees shall become vacant by his removal out of the limits of the church or congregation, and whenever the office of any trustee, except the pastor, shall become vacant for any reason whatsoever, his successor shall be chosen in the manner herein provided for the selection of the original members of the board of trustees.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:4-4 - President; powers and duties

16:4-4. President; powers and duties
The corporation may elect annually, or oftener if necessary or expedient, one of its own members to be president, who shall keep the minutes and enter the orders and proceedings of the corporation in a book to be kept for that purpose. He shall have the custody of the common seal, and the papers, documents, deeds, writings and books of or relating to the corporation, and may convene the corporation as occasion may require.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:4-6 - Revival of corporation dissolved for failure to continue succession of trustees

16:4-6. Revival of corporation dissolved for failure to continue succession of trustees
If any corporation created under or by virtue of the provisions of this chapter shall be dissolved by failure to continue the succession of the trustees thereof, it may be revived and the church or congregation incorporated under this chapter, in the mode herein prescribed, at any time within six years from the date of the dissolution, and thereupon all the property, real and personal, belonging to the dissolved corporation at the time of its dissolution, shall vest in such new corporation.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-1 - Incorporation

16:5-1. Incorporation
Any Lutheran Church Congregation may, at the option of a majority of the adult members thereof, incorporate under the provisions of this chapter as amended and supplemented.
Amended by L.1957, c. 82, p. 154, s. 1; L.1962, c. 53, p. 238, s. 1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-2 - Incorporation validated

16:5-2. Incorporation validated
L.1884, c. 178, s. 1, p. 263 (C.S. p. 4352, s. 118), being section one of an act entitled "An act to confirm the incorporation and proceedings of Evangelical Lutheran churches in the state of New Jersey," approved April twenty-fifth, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-four, saved from repeal. [Evangelical Lutheran congregations organized under act of 1846 were declared to be bodies corporate, and certain of their acts were validated by this act.]
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-3 - Certain provisions of title extended to Lutheran Church Congregations

16:5-3. Certain provisions of title extended to Lutheran Church Congregations
The provisions of article 1 of chapter 1 of this Title relating to the incorporation, and the rights, privileges and duties of religious societies and congregations, shall be applicable to all Lutheran Church Congregations except as otherwise provided in this chapter, and in the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of article 1 of chapter 1 of this Title and this chapter of this Title, the provisions of this chapter, as amended and supplemented, shall govern. Each incorporated Lutheran Church Congregation shall be subject to the laws and discipline of the synod and church with which it is affiliated.
Amended by L.1957, c. 82, p. 155, s. 2; L.1962, c. 53, s. 2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-4 - Lutheran Synod or District; formation

16:5-4. Lutheran Synod or District; formation
Any general organization for this State formed by ordained ministers and congregations of the Lutheran Church, at a convention, conference or meeting, held within or without this State, attended by said ordained ministers and accredited delegates or representatives of such congregations, and in which organization all the congregations of that denomination, holding and confessing the doctrine of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, are, or are entitled to be, represented at such convention, conference or meeting, may, by resolution, form a Lutheran Synod or District and any such synod or district may be incorporated in the manner provided in this act.
L.1950, c. 84, p. 146, s. 1. Amended by L.1962, c. 53, s. 3; L.1972, c. 138, s. 2, eff. Aug. 30, 1972.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-5 - Board of trustees

16:5-5. Board of trustees
The said ordained ministers and delegates or representatives of the said congregations at such convention, conference or meeting shall elect a board of trustees to consist of not less than ten nor more than twenty-nine trustees.
L.1950,c.84,s.2; amended 1991,c.69,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-6 - Certificate; filing; fee

16:5-6. Certificate; filing; fee
The trustees so elected, or the presiding officer and secretary, or acting secretary, of such convention, conference or meeting, on behalf of said trustees, shall make a certificate, as hereinafter provided, under their hands and seals, and file it in the office of the Secretary of State. The fee for the filing of any such certificate shall be as provided in section 22A:4-1 of the New Jersey Statutes.
L.1950, c. 84, p. 147, s. 3. Amended by L.1953, c. 16, p. 144, s. 8, eff. March 19, 1953.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-7 - Contents of certificate

16:5-7. Contents of certificate
Any such certificate shall set forth:
(a) The name or title or such corporation, which shall include the word "Lutheran" as part thereof and may include the name "Lutheran Synod of New Jersey" or any other name, and may include other words or initials to identify such corporation;
(b) The names and addresses of the trustees constituting the first board of trustees of the corporation;
(c) The object of the corporation;
(d) The location of the corporation's principal office or of its customary activities and, if so desired, the place of its annual convention, conference or meeting;
(e) Such other provisions as may be determined upon at the said convention, conference or meeting as may be proper to carry out the object of the corporation and which are not inconsistent with the general laws of this State relating to religious corporations nor with the doctrines held and confessed by the said Lutheran churches.
L.1950, c. 84, p. 147, s. 4. Amended by L.1962, c. 53, s. 4; L.1972, c. 138, s. 3, eff. Aug. 30, 1972.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-8 - Written certificate required; acknowledgment

16:5-8. Written certificate required; acknowledgment
The said certificate shall be in writing and shall be duly acknowledged by the said trustees or the said officers in the same manner as deeds to convey title to real property are required to be acknowledged to be recorded.
L.1950, c. 84, p. 147, s. 5.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-9 - Constitution

16:5-9. Constitution
Any such corporation shall adopt a constitution defining its doctrinal basis and setting forth the qualifications and voting powers of its members and its affiliations and relationship to constituent congregations and other bodies and providing for the management of its corporate affairs and the distribution of its functions and powers to sessions, conferences, boards, committees and officers.
L.1950, c. 84, p. 148, s. 6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-10 - By-laws

16:5-10. By-laws
Any such corporation may also adopt by-laws for the regulation of its corporate affairs, including the meetings of the members, officers, committees, sessions and conferences and such other matters as shall be deemed proper.
L.1950, c. 84, p. 148, s. 7.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-11 - Officers and committees

16:5-11. Officers and committees
Any such constitution may provide for the holding ex officio of certain offices and positions and for an executive and other committees of the board of trustees. Any such constitution may also provide for acting officers, the filling of vacancies and succession in the membership of the board of trustees and in the offices of the corporation.
L.1950, c. 84, p. 148, s. 8.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-12 - Powers of corporation

16:5-12. Powers of corporation
Every such corporation shall have the general powers conferred by law upon incorporated religious societies and, in addition, shall have the following powers:
(a) To establish, erect, maintain and manage churches, colleges, seminaries, and all other religious, educational and eleemosynary institutions and agencies;
(b) To acquire by deed, gift, purchase, bequest, devise, merger, consolidation, combination, reversion, or by judicial order or judgment, or otherwise, real or personal property, in fee, trust, or otherwise, and to hold, grant, sell, convey, lease, mortgage, invest, improve or dispose of the same for the uses and purposes of the corporation;
(c) To sue and be sued and to be impleaded in any court;
(d) To adopt and use a common seal;
(e) To have perpetual succession as such corporation;
(f) To have all other powers necessary and proper to the carrying out of the above enumerated powers, and the purposes of such corporation and its institutions.
(g) To combine, consolidate or merge with any incorporated conference of ministers and congregations of similar doctrine and confession in the same manner as in the case of combinations, consolidations or mergers of corporations organized for purposes other than for pecuniary profit.
L.1950, c. 84, p. 148, s. 9. Amended by L.1962, c. 53, s. 5.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-13 - Strife and division in congregation; settlement; title and disposition of property

16:5-13. Strife and division in congregation; settlement; title and disposition of property
Any such corporation, by its constitution or other agreement with its constituent and affiliated congregations, may provide for the settlement and determination of strife and division in any congregation which is a member of or is affiliated with said corporation, and in case of any such strife and division, such settlement and determination shall provide for a continuation in possession and title of all the property of the congregation represented by that part of the congregation's membership which continues in unity with the said synod or district and its faith, whether such part of the said membership constitutes a majority or a minority of its total membership. In similar manner, the said corporation may provide for the acquisition by the corporation of all of the real and personal property of any constituent or affiliated congregation which shall be dissolved by voluntary or involuntary action or which shall become inactive or extinct. In the event of any such acquisition, the Lutheran Synod or District incorporated under this act may manage, use, sell, convey, mortgage or otherwise dispose of all such real and personal property so acquired for the uses and purposes of the said corporation. Any sale, conveyance or other disposition of any such property so acquired shall be sufficient and as effectual as if made by the former congregation or its proper trustees, officers, agents or legal representatives, and shall vest in the grantee, vendee, purchaser, or person acquiring an interest therein, all the right, title and interest in and to such property theretofore vested in the said congregation, or in its trustees, officers, agents or legal representatives.
L.1950, c. 84, p. 149, s. 10. Amended by L.1962, c. 53, s. 6; L.1972, c. 138, s. 4, eff. Aug. 30, 1972.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-15 - Manner of incorporation of Lutheran Church Congregation; organizational meeting; notice

16:5-15. Manner of incorporation of Lutheran Church Congregation; organizational meeting; notice
The incorporation of a Lutheran Church Congregation shall be secured in the following manner:
An organization meeting or a special meeting of the members of the congregation, or of the intended charter members of the congregation, shall be called either by the council of the congregation or by 5 or more of the said intended charter members. Notice of any such meeting shall be given at least 10 days previous to the date of the meeting by posting such notice in a conspicuous place on or near to the premises where the congregation customarily conducts its public worship or, instead of such posting, notice may be given by ordinary mail addressed to each confirmed member of the congregation in good standing, at least 10 days before the date of the meeting, or to each of the intended charter members of the congregation, as the case may be. If the congregation shall have by-laws or other rules and regulations pertaining to the giving of notice of an organization or special meeting of the congregation, such by-laws, rules and regulations shall be complied with. The said notice shall state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is to decide whether the congregation shall be incorporated.
L.1957, c. 82, p. 155, s. 3. Amended by L.1962, c. 53, s. 8.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-16 - Resolution of incorporation; number of trustees; election; terms

16:5-16. Resolution of incorporation; number of trustees; election; terms
If at such meeting a majority of the adult confirmed members in good standing, or of the intended charter members, shall decide by resolution to incorporate the congregation, they shall then by resolution determine the number of trustees to be elected, which number shall be not less than 5 nor more than 24. Thereupon, the meeting shall proceed to the election of such trustees. The trustees first chosen shall serve for terms to be fixed but not to exceed 3 years and, thereafter, the terms of the trustees shall be fixed by the by-laws of the incorporated congregation to be adopted as hereinafter provided.
L.1957, c. 82, p. 155, s. 4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-17 - Trustees; terms; vacancies

16:5-17. Trustees; terms; vacancies
The terms of the trustees' offices may be so arranged as to provide that not more than 1/3 of the trustees shall be elected in any 1 year but no such term shall be for more than 3 years. It may be provided that vacancies caused by other than expiration of term shall be filled for unexpired terms.
L.1957, c. 82, p. 156, s. 5.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-18 - Corporate name; determination; resolution; required vote

16:5-18. Corporate name; determination; resolution; required vote
The corporate name of the congregation shall be determined by resolution adopted by a majority vote of the said members of the congregation or of the intended charter members present and voting.
L.1957, c. 82, p. 156, s. 6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-19 - Certificate of incorporation; contents; acknowledgment

16:5-19. Certificate of incorporation; contents; acknowledgment
If it shall be so decided to incorporate the congregation, a certificate of incorporation shall be made, signed and sealed by the trustees or by such officers as shall be designated by the said board of trustees, which certificate shall recite the calling of the meeting, the giving of the notice thereof and an abstract of the proceedings of the meeting sufficient to show that a majority or said members of the congregation, or of the intended charter members, voted in favor of the incorporation of the congregation, and shall further certify the number of trustees chosen and the names and addresses of the trustees first chosen. The said certificate shall also set forth the corporate name of the corporation as determined at the meeting. The said certificate shall be acknowledged by each trustee or other officer in the same manner as is required by law for the acknowledgment of deeds of real property, and a certificate of the acknowledgment shall be endorsed in writing on the said certificate of incorporation by the official taking the same.
L.1957, c. 82, p. 156, s. 7.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-20 - Certificate; filing; recording; effect

16:5-20. Certificate; filing; recording; effect
The certificate so acknowledged shall be filed and recorded in the office of the Secretary of State and a certified copy thereof shall be filed and recorded in the office of the clerk of the county in which the congregation's usual place of meeting for public worship is located. The Secretary of State and the county clerk shall be entitled to the fees provided in Title 22A of the New Jersey Statutes. Upon such filing and recording, the congregation shall be a corporation by the corporate name set forth in such certificate.
L.1957, c. 82, p. 157, s. 8.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-21 - Members; voting rights

16:5-21. Members; voting rights
Every member of the congregation in good standing shall be a member of the corporation but only those members who are authorized to vote by the by-laws of the corporation shall be entitled to vote.
L.1957, c. 82, p. 157, s. 9.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-22 - Powers

16:5-22. Powers
The corporation shall have all the powers enumerated in section 16:1-4 of the Revised Statutes, except that no sale or conveyance of any real property owned by the corporation or mortgage upon any property of the corporation or purchase of real property by the corporation shall be made unless previously authorized by a majority of the votes cast at a duly called annual or other meeting of the members of the corporation or by such vote in excess of a majority of the votes cast as may be provided by the by-laws of the corporation.
L.1957, c. 82, p. 157, s. 10.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-23 - Meetings; by-laws

16:5-23. Meetings; by-laws
There shall be an annual meeting of the members of the corporation and such other meetings as shall be prescribed by the by-laws to be adopted for the management of the corporation, and the said by-laws may provide for the manner and method of executing deeds, bonds, mortgages, notes, contracts and all instruments of a legal nature by designated officers of the corporation whenever the corporation or the board of trustees authorizes the execution of any such contract or other legal instrument. The corporation may limit or restrict, or otherwise regulate the powers of the board of trustees.
L.1957, c. 82, p. 157, s. 11.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-24 - Affiliation with constituent synod or district; acceptance of act by previously incorporated churches; certificate

16:5-24. Affiliation with constituent synod or district; acceptance of act by previously incorporated churches; certificate
Every such incorporated congregation may affiliate itself with a constituent synod or district of the Lutheran Church or its successor but, after any such affiliation, may not withdraw therefrom except as provided in the constitution and by-laws of the synod or district or the laws of the church. Any Lutheran Church which has heretofore been incorporated under any law of this State, by a majority vote of its members at a regular, annual or at a special meeting to be called for the purpose, may accept the provisions of this act and thereby and thereafter become subject to the provisions of this act. Any such acceptance shall be evidenced by the filing of a certificate in the office of the Secretary of State, which shall substantially set forth the proceedings of the meeting of acceptance. Any such certificate shall be filed and acknowledged in manner similar to that required by this act for the execution, filing and recording of a certificate of incorporation, as provided in this act. The Secretary of State and the county clerk shall be entitled to the same fees as in the case of the filing and recording of certificates of incorporation under this act.
L.1957, c. 82, p. 158, s. 12. Amended by L.1962, c. 53, s. 9.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-25 - Merger; consent; certificate

16:5-25. Merger; consent; certificate
Any incorporated Lutheran Church or congregation may merge, with the consent of the synod with which it is affiliated, with any other incorporated Lutheran Church or congregation with the consent of 2/3 of the members of each such church or congregation. All such consents shall be evidenced by votes cast at regular or special meetings called for the purpose and 2/3 of the members present and voting upon the proposition shall be deemed to be the 2/3 required by this section. A certificate evidencing the merger and substantially setting forth the proceedings of such meeting shall be executed by the trustees or designated officers of each of the churches or congregations so merging and shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State. All such certificates shall be executed, acknowledged, filed and recorded in the same manner as is required for the execution, filing and recording of certificates of incorporation under this act.
L.1957, c. 82, p. 158, s. 13. Amended by L.1962, c. 53, s. 10.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-26 - Disbanding or ceasing to function; passage of title to synod or district

16:5-26. Disbanding or ceasing to function; passage of title to synod or district
In the event that any incorporated Lutheran Church or congregation disbands, or ceases to function or to conduct public worship or fails to elect a board of trustees for more than 2 years after such election should have been held pursuant to this act or to the by-laws of the corporation and the property of such church or congregation is not properly maintained, the title to all such property shall pass to and be vested in the synod or district or its successor with which the said church or congregation is affiliated at the time of such default, nonuser or abandonment, and thereupon the said synod or district shall have the unrestricted right to use or dispose of such property.
L.1957, c. 82, p. 159, s. 14. Amended by L.1962, c. 53, s. 11.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:5-27 - Combinations, consolidations or mergers

16:5-27. Combinations, consolidations or mergers
Any 2 or more organizations incorporated under the provisions of this chapter as amended and supplemented may combine, consolidate or merge in the same manner as in the case of combinations, consolidations or mergers of corporations organized for purposes other than for pecuniary profit. Any organization incorporated under the provisions of this chapter as amended and supplemented may combine, consolidate or merge with any organization having a similar purpose and incorporated under the laws of any other State if the said other incorporated organization is authorized so to do by the laws of the State of its incorporation.
L.1962, c. 53, s. 12.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:6-1 - Extinct Free Methodist churches or societies; disposition of property

16:6-1. Extinct Free Methodist churches or societies; disposition of property
All real and personal property belonging to or held in trust for any Free Methodist church or society which now is or may hereafter come under the supervision of the "Trustees of the New York Conference of the Free Methodist Church" , that has or shall become extinct, shall vest in and become the property of the "Trustees of the New York Conference of the Free Methodist Church" , its successors and assigns. This section shall not affect the reversion or interest of any person in any such property.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:6-2 - Extinct church or society defined

16:6-2. Extinct church or society defined
A church or religious society shall be regarded as extinct when its membership is so reduced that it has not sufficient members to fill its offices, and has ceased to hold its regular meetings, and to keep its relation with any church having regular connection with such annual conference for a period of three consecutive years.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:6-3 - Conference; powers with relation to extinct churches or religious societies

16:6-3. Conference; powers with relation to extinct churches or religious societies
The "Trustees of the New York Conference of the Free Methodist Church" may, in pursuance of a resolution by it:
a. Sell the property of any such extinct church or religious society and convey the same to the purchaser by deed in its corporate name;
b. Convert any and all securities of any such extinct church or religious society into cash; and
c. Receipt for cancellation mortgages and other evidences of indebtedness belonging to and standing open of record in the name of the extinct church or religious society.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:7-1 - Division of property on division or separation in unincorporated Society of Friends

16:7-1. Division of property on division or separation in unincorporated Society of Friends
Rev.1877, p. 967, s.s. 60 to 64 (C.S. p. 4337, s.s. 63 to 67), entitled "An act relative to the property of the unincorporated Society of Friends in this state," passed February eleventh, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six, saved from repeal. [This act provided for the division of real and personal property on division or separation in the unincorporated Society of Friends.]
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:7-2 - Title to property; appointment of trustee

16:7-2. Title to property; appointment of trustee
The members of any Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers, may, from time to time, at any of their business meetings, appoint one or more trustees to take and hold title to real property placed in trust by deed or indenture for the use and benefit of such meeting, provided that the sole or surviving trustee named in such deed or indenture, or in a subsequent deed or indenture, being the most recent in a series, has died without conveying such real property to another trustee or trustees.
L.1971, c. 296, s. 1, eff. Aug. 27, 1971.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:7-3 - Trustee's title

16:7-3. Trustee's title
Such trustee or trustees shall hold title to such real property subject to all of the provisions contained in the trust instrument under which the original trustee or trustees was or were bound, including the duty to convey such real property to such person or persons which the members at any of their business meetings may designate.
L.1971, c. 296, s. 2, eff. Aug. 27, 1971.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 16 - Corporations and Associations, Religious › Section 16:7-4 - Death of trustee; appointment of successor

16:7-4. Death of trustee; appointment of successor
If all of the trustees appointed pursuant to this act have died, the members may, from time to time, at any of their business meetings, appoint one or more trustees to succeed them.
L.1971, c. 296, s. 3, eff. Aug. 27, 1971.