The former proprietor of the local Wedding Loft pleaded guilty in county court to impersonating a professional in performing more than 600 nuptials in the 1990s. The state legislature has since legalized those marriages.
Brenda Gorst, 64, claimed clergy ordination through ``World Christianship Ministries,'' which her lawyer said was recognized by the IRS as a legitimate church. But prosecutors said nothing but money was required to receive its credentials and investigators obtained ordination for a child and a pet.
The ``Encyclopedia of American Religions'' lists World Christianship among 31 ``mail order and Internet churches'' that issue clergy credentials.
In a plea bargain, Gorst received six years of unsupervised probation if she behaves and returns to her native Britain. Gorst said she committed no crime but didn't want to risk a stiffer sentence from a jury trial.
Gorst sold her chapel in 1999 and left for England, but was caught during a passport check in New Jersey last April when she returned to visit a daughter.
Everything ``was done with lots of love,'' Gorst told the court. ``I helped girls who had no money. I helped put them in a gown and give them a bouquet,'' the Johnson City Press reported.