Leesburg, USA - A small conservative Anglican parish in northern Virginia has voted to settle its part of a costly property dispute with the Episcopal Church. The case drew national attention when like-minded conservative congregations in Virginia broke from the denomination in a dispute over theology and sexuality.
The Church of Our Saviour voted Sunday on a proposal to relinquish claim to a 133-year-old church building in Oatlands, near Leesburg. Under the plan, the congregation would get an inexpensive five-year lease with the diocese but be prohibited from affiliating with breakaway parishes while still using the building.
The Rev. Elijah White, the church's rector, says the parish is seeking a new place of worship after spending $400,000 in the dispute over the $314,000 property.