Court Opinion

ID: 9567665
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 19:56:30.565861+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:00:40.531511
License: Public Domain

Jordan, Justice,
dissenting.
In my opinion the evidence in this case demands a finding that the appellees were expelled as members of Benjamin James Primitive Baptist Church and thus have no standing to claim any property rights to the church premises and property. The duly admitted minutes show that in September 1948 the Church "withdrew church fellowship” from eleven named members who constituted a minority of the church membership (the appellees herein) at that time. Such action is subject to only one interpretation, i.e., that such members were expelled and could no longer participate in church affairs until and unless such membership is duly restored.
Under such evidence the court clearly erred in *630charging the jury that the appellants and appellees were tenants in common of the church property.