Press Release

November 3rd, 2009

              As reported recently in the news, St. Andrew's Church has been sued by the Diocese of Tennessee in the Chancery Court for Davidson County.  Among other things, the suit seeks to seize property where St. Andrew's is located on Woodmont Boulevard.  The lawsuit appears to be the latest development in ongoing property disputes around the nation between individual churches and larger Episcopal dioceses.

              The lawsuit follows St. Andrew's written communication back in October 2006 to the Diocese of Tennessee indicating that it was leaving the Diocese and was beginning a new relationship with an Episcopal Diocese located in Quincy, Illinois.  The departure was a result of theological disputes with The Episcopal Church based in New York City which claims to represent Episcopalians throughout the United States.

              As an Anglo-Catholic parish, St. Andrew's had maintained a unique relationship with the Diocese of Tennessee since the church's formation in the early 1960s.  Moreover, St. Andrew's purchased the property where its church is located on Woodmont Boulevard from the Diocese through an arms length transaction.  At the time St. Andrew's bought the Woodmont property, it took specific steps to protect it from claims by others. 

              St. Andrew's specifically disputes local news accounts maintaining that the purchase was made for $10.00.  St. Andrew's paid the Diocese of Tennessee a substantial sum for the property in 1966.  In return for the purchase, the Diocese duly executed a Warranty Deed, and St. Andrew's made significant improvements to the property following its purchase.  As a result, St. Andrew's will vigorously oppose any effort by the Diocese to reacquire the property.

              Obviously, as this is a matter of ongoing litigation, St. Andrew's is not able to comment further on this matter.   

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