# Va. Code Ann. § 57-9: How property rights determined on division of church or society

> Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T57_C2_A2_S57-9

## Section

- **Citation:** Va. Code Ann. § 57-9
- **Heading:** How property rights determined on division of church or society
- **Jurisdiction:** Virginia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Virginia Code / Title 57 / Chapter 2 / Article 2 / Section 57-9

## Text

A. If a division has heretofore occurred or shall hereafter occur in a church or religious society, to which any such congregation whose property is held by trustees is attached, the members of such congregation over 18 years of age may, by a vote of a majority of the whole number, determine to which branch of the church or society such congregation shall thereafter belong. Such determination shall be reported to the circuit court of the county or city, wherein the property held in trust for such congregation or the greater part thereof is; and if the determination be approved by the court, it shall be so entered in the court's civil order book, and shall be conclusive as to the title to and control of any property held in trust for such congregation, and be respected and enforced accordingly in all of the courts of the Commonwealth.

B. If a division has heretofore occurred or shall hereafter occur in a congregation whose property is held by trustees which, in its organization and government, is a church or society entirely independent of any other church or general society, a majority of the members of such congregation, entitled to vote by its constitution as existing at the time of the division, or where it has no written constitution, entitled to vote by its ordinary practice or custom, may decide the right, title, and control of all property held in trust for such congregation. Their decision shall be reported to such court, and if approved by it, shall be so entered as aforesaid, and shall be final as to such right of property so held.

Code 1919, § 40; 1972, c. 825; 2005, cc. 681 , 772 .

## Nearby sections

- [Va. Code Ann. § 57-7 Repealed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T57_C2_A2_S57-7.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 57-7.1 What transfers for religious purposes valid](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T57_C2_A2_S57-7.1.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 57-8 Appointment of trustees to effect the purposes of conveyances, etc.; validation of certain appointments](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T57_C2_A2_S57-8.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 57-9 How property rights determined on division of church or society](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T57_C2_A2_S57-9.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 57-10 How trustees to hold personal property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T57_C2_A2_S57-10.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 57-11 Suits by and against trustees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T57_C2_A2_S57-11.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 57-12 Repealed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T57_C2_A2_S57-12.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 57-13 Suits by members against trustees to compel proper application of property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T57_C2_A2_S57-13.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 57-14 Suits by members to have land sold or mortgaged](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T57_C2_A2_S57-14.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 57-15 Proceedings by trustees or members for similar purposes, exception for certain transfers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T57_C2_A2_S57-15.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 57-15.1 Order may provide that fiscal officer may sign instrument without personal liability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T57_C2_A2_S57-15.1.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 57-16 Property held, etc., by ecclesiastical officers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T57_C2_A2_S57-16.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 57-16.1 Property of unincorporated church held by corporation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T57_C2_A2_S57-16.1.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 57-17 Conveyance of church land held in adverse possession](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T57_C2_A2_S57-17.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T57_C2_A2_S57-9. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.