Decisions by the South Carolina Supreme Court in April and August of this year initiated the return of at least seven churches, as well as diocesan property and the St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center on Seabrook Island. Below is an update on each of the transitions.

The return of each church requires a tremendous amount of transitional work and negotiation, and since the Orders of the Court, the following churches have returned to the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina: St. John’s, Johns Island (July 2022); St. David’s, Cheraw (August 2022); Christ Church, Mt. Pleasant (September 2022); and Holy Trinity, Charleston (September 2022). Episcopal worship services have resumed at each church, with the exception of Holy Trinity, where diocesan leadership is still in discernment about the best path forward. The Acorn School continues to operate at Holy Trinity and the diocesan office is working with the school’s leadership.

St. Bartholomew’s in Hartsville was scheduled to return at the end of September, but the date of transition has been moved to the end of October to accommodate the departing members of the ACNA congregation and their rector. Due to unforeseen circumstances that resulted in a delay in the ACNA congregation moving to their new worship space, the Episcopal congregation at St. Bartholomew’s graciously allowed them to remain for one more month. St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church is scheduled to reopen on Sunday, October 30. The Rev. Michael Bye, interim priest-in-charge at St. David’s, Cheraw, will be serving St. Bartholomew’s as well, as the diocese continues to search for permanent leadership.

Of the remaining returning congregations, St. James, Charleston is expected to reopen next, with an anticipated date of All Saints Sunday, November 6, 2022, under the leadership of the Rev. Taylor M. Smith. Discernment is in process regarding how best to serve Episcopalians in and surrounding Fort Motte and the best use of returning property there. The diocese is awaiting a further decision of the Court regarding Good Shepherd, Charleston, as well as Old St. Andrew’s, Charleston, and Holy Cross, Stateburg. 

Details on a settlement between our diocese and the ACNA diocese regarding diocesan properties were announced by Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley on September 27, 2022. Since that time, St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center was returned to the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina on October 1, 2022, led by seasoned Episcopal Camp and Conference Center executive directors, the Rev. Deacon Helen and Rick Hargreaves. All staff except for the most recent executive director have been asked to continue their employment, and they have been most helpful as we continue through this transition. The camp and conference center, and barrier island programs, continue operating without interruption.

Bishop Woodliff-Stanley has named a strategic Steering Committee, led by the Rev. Laura Rezac, that will report to the bishop and the Trustees regarding the operation of St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center. In addition, the bishop, with the support of the Trustees, has engaged Rob Watson and Stuart Campbell, veteran executive directors and consultants from Episcopal Camps & Conference Center ECCC Ministries, to help the bishop, the bishop’s steering committee, and St. Christopher’s interim executive directors frame the scope of work at the camp and conference center for the coming months.
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“While these transitional issues have been taking much of the focus lately, I am thrilled about what the Spirit is doing across our diocese, among all of the congregations of our historic diocese,” said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley. “The returning congregations are a part of this emerging vision, and I am excited for us all to embark on this next season of ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina. I can’t wait for the people of the diocese to learn more at our Diocesan Convention next month.”

In response to the South Carolina Supreme Court’s opinion published on August 17, the historic Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina filed a Petition for Rehearing and a Motion for Relief from Judgment on Thursday, September 1, in regard to the court’s recent decisions concerning two churches that were once part of the historic diocese—Old St. Andrew’s in Charleston, and The Church of the Holy Cross in Stateburg.

In the Petition for Rehearing, attorneys for the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina note that while the Court made a “factual determination and issued a declaratory judgment” as to whether the two churches revoked the trusts they expressly created, no court “previously addressed whether these parish trusts were revocable or actually revoked based on post-2006 evidence” because it was not previously considered an issue in the case. Because it was not considered, the Episcopal Diocese did not have “reason or opportunity to introduce evidence on this issue.” The petition requests that the Court reverse or vacate the rulings on revocability or revocation involving these two churches, or allow for the introduction of additional evidence before making a final ruling.

In the Motion for Relief from Judgment, various evidence was presented to support a cause for relief from the declaratory judgement in favor of Old St Andrew’s, Charleston, and Holy Cross, Stateburg, based on the fact that the trusts were not revocable or that our diocese should be allowed to present further evidence to the Court. The motion also notes that a lack of full transparency between legal counsel on some issues constituted what is legally known as a “fraud on the court” that would be sufficient to provide relief from judgment.

Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley expressed her gratitude in this moment. “I am grateful to our chancellor and legal team for their hard work and wisdom, and pray for the Court to respond with justice and clarity that will allow us to move to full resolution of these matters,” said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley. “This represents another step on what has been a long and trying journey, but even in this moment, God is unfolding a new season before us. I look forward to discovering with you all that God has in store.”

Once the Court has published the filings on their site, they will be linked here. Until then, a copy of the Petition for Rehearing can be viewed at this link , and the Motion for Relief from Judgment can be viewed at this link. All additional exhibits will be available when shared on the Court’s website.

In the message below, Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley offers a pastoral word for the people of the diocese regarding the opinion published today by the South Carolina Supreme Court (learn more about the decision at this link).

August 17, 2022
 
Dear Friends in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina,

Nathan and I are away and I have just received the news of the South Carolina Supreme Court’s decision today. I am very disappointed, as I am sure are many of you. I am keenly aware of the many connections across our diocese to the six churches that were referenced in the Court’s decision. The cost to all of our communities is significant, particularly to those with direct links to these churches. The Court today referenced these churches as property, but the people of the diocese know all too well that it’s not about simple real estate. These are the houses of worship that many Episcopalians have called a spiritual home for generations. For those of you for whom this is the case, I grieve the potential loss of these church homes.

I am particularly mindful that when a decision we understood to be final, is subsequently reversed again, it creates a distinct kind of pain and anger. Know that we will be reviewing all possible courses of action as we move forward.

To those who have loved these churches and called them home, please know of my strong commitment to supporting your future as The Episcopal Church in each place where you so faithfully have kept our presence alive and thriving.

Despite this very difficult decision, I remain convinced that the God who began a good work among us, will continue to strengthen us and make our diocese flourish. We have a future filled with hope rooted in the love, mercy, and justice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am excited to continue this journey with you. It is my great joy to serve among you.

Faithfully yours,
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The Rt. Rev. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley
Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina

Download the full release at this link.
St. David’s, Cheraw, a parish with roots in The Episcopal Church dating back more than 200 years, returned to the Diocese of South Carolina and The Episcopal Church on Monday, August 1, 2022, as a result of the South Carolina Supreme Court’s April ruling that 14 churches which left The Episcopal Church in 2012 and later joined the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) did not have proper ownership based on state trust law. The Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina, has called the Rev. Michael Bye, who has been serving the Episcopal Worship Group of Cheraw, to lead the church as interim priest-in-charge through the end of this year. The church will reopen as St. David’s Episcopal Church, with a service of Holy Eucharist on Sunday, August 7, at 10 am. The St. David’s Episcopal School will continue to operate and is expected to reopen on Monday, August 15, for the 2022-23 school year.

Bishop Woodliff-Stanley expressed gratitude as she looks forward to a new season for St. David’s Episcopal Church and School. “I rejoice with the Episcopalians of Cheraw in anticipation of the reopening of St. David’s historic parish,” said the bishop. “The strong and loving Episcopal community of Cheraw has faithfully shared the good news of Jesus for generations in an area rich with the history of our diocese and state. Now, guided by their wise leadership in Cheraw, we look forward to welcoming new friends and old to worship with us at St. David’s. I give particular thanks to the lay leaders, and to Father Mike Bye, for their leadership. We are excited that the important ministry of the St. David’s Episcopal School will continue; we look forward to serving children and their families. All are welcome to join us as we share the gospel of Jesus Christ together in a new season in Cheraw.”

The Rev. Michael Bye is hopeful for the future as he continues to lead Episcopalians in Cheraw. “We are both happy and grateful to be returning to the St. David’s building,” said Father Bye. “We are eagerly looking forward to fostering reconciliation and healing as we proclaim, by deed and word, the gospel to all people.”

After nearly 10 years of litigation, the South Carolina Supreme Court determined that 14 of at least 36 churches which had claimed possession of their properties and left The Episcopal Church, including St. David’s in Cheraw, had created an irrevocable trust in favor of The Episcopal Church and its associated diocese, The (Episcopal) Diocese of South Carolina. St. David’s, Cheraw, is the second church to be returned to the historic diocese since the Court’s decision in April.

When the congregations broke away from The Episcopal Church, many members of these churches expressed an interest in continuing to worship in the traditions of the larger Church. Groups of people from these displaced congregations led the effort across the eastern half of South Carolina to begin new mission churches and worshiping communities. In Cheraw, a group of loyal Episcopalians established the Episcopal Worship Group of Cheraw, in full union with the Diocese of South Carolina. For years, this worshiping community, with many members who previously attended St. David’s Episcopal Church before the schism, worshiped together regularly, most recently gathering in a local bank for Sunday services and hoping for a day they could return to St. David’s as Episcopalians.

Sarah Spruill has served as Junior Warden (lay leader) of The Episcopal Worship Group of Cheraw, and while she has longed to return to St. David’s Episcopal Church, she understands well the depth of emotions felt on both sides. “The Episcopalians in Cheraw are very mindful of how much St. David's Church means to all of us who have worshiped there,” said Ms. Spruill. “We were deeply saddened when part of the congregation left the Episcopal Church, and we know well the pain of leaving a building that holds many memories— as it happened to us. We are thankful that the long legal battle is finally over, and we can now go forth and continue to do God's work as we return to our historic worship space. We want to reunify and build with all of God's children, rejoicing in the power of the spirit in a place where all are welcome.”  
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St. David’s Church was established in Cheraw in 1768 and became part of The Episcopal Church in 1819. The original parish church, known locally as Old St. David’s (circa 1770), is owned by the Chesterfield County Historic Preservation Commission, but the section of the cemetery immediately around the old church is owned by The Episcopal Church. In 1916, St. David’s Episcopal Church moved to its current location at 420 Market Street in Cheraw where it served the community as part of The Episcopal Church for nearly 100 years.

Download this release at this link.

On Wednesday, April 20, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that 14 South Carolina churches that were once part of The Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina shall be returned, along with all real and personal property held in trust for the diocese, including the St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center on Seabrook Island. The churches left the diocese in 2012 and later joined the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) and yesterday’s news marks another milestone in a nearly decade-long legal journey that included a lower court decision in 2014 which was largely overturned by the state’s high court in 2017 and then further clarified with the decision yesterday.

Of the decision, the Right Reverend Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, said: “Their decisions will no doubt bring joy to many in our diocese, but for others, there will be grief in the possible finality of a loss they have been feeling for nearly 10 years.” She also added a hope for the future of the reconciled diocese: “…we now walk into a bright future, one in which we will focus on the reconciling power of the Gospel to transform injustice, to heal the brokenhearted, and to build God’s beloved community.”

The South Carolina Supreme Court, using a variety of determining factors, decided that 14 parishes (of the 29 previously named) did create an “irrevocable trust in favor of the National Church and its diocese” (the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina – the “Associated Diocese”). These 14 parishes are as follows: Christ Church, Mt. Pleasant; Good Shepherd, Charleston; Holy Comforter, Sumter; Holy Cross, Stateburg; Holy Trinity, Charleston; St. Bartholomew’s, Hartsville; St. David’s, Cheraw; St. Luke’s, Hilton Head; St. Matthew’s, Fort Motte; St. James, Charleston; St. John’s, Johns Island; St. Jude’s, Walterboro; Trinity, Myrtle Beach; and Old St. Andrew’s, Charleston.

Conversely, the Court found that 15 of the 29 parishes “did not create a trust in favor of the National Church or its diocese, and thus those 15 Parishes retain title to their real estate.” These parishes are as follows: All Saints, Florence; Church of our Saviour, John’s Island; Church of the Cross, Bluffton; Christ-St. Paul’s, Yonges Island; Epiphany, Eutawville; Redeemer, Orangeburg; Resurrection, Surfside/Myrtle Beach; St. Helena’s, Beaufort; St. Paul’s, Bennettsville; St. Paul’s, Summerville; St. Philip’s, Charleston; St. Luke & St. Paul, Charleston; St. Michael’s, Charleston; Trinity, Edisto; and Trinity, Pinopolis. 

The South Carolina Supreme Court has decided that all real and personal property, including the St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center, have been held “in trust for the benefit of the National Church [The Episcopal Church] and the Associated Diocese,” meaning the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina. The ruling further concluded that “The real and personal property held in trust by the Trustees is now held for the benefit of the Associated Diocese.”

On all matters and questions relating to “names, styles, emblems, and service marks,” the Court deferred to the federal court.  The U.S. District Court previously ruled in favor of The Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina (also recognized as The Episcopal Church in South Carolina) in September 2019. This decision has been appealed, but any future rulings were stayed pending the outcome of this state case.

In her pastoral letter to the diocese sent hours after receiving the opinion, Bishop Woodilff-Stanley discussed the next steps for the diocese. “We are still working to understand the immediate path forward and promise to be in communication with you as our legal team helps us determine what comes next,” said Bishop Woodliff-Stanley. “May we focus together on reconciliation and the way of love as we journey together on the road ahead, centered in Christ’s love for all of us.”

The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina was one of the nine original dioceses that formed The Episcopal Church in 1785. The Episcopal Church, which encompasses 111 dioceses and regional areas in 17 nations of the world, remains the only denomination in the United States affiliated with the worldwide Anglican Communion. 

On Tuesday, April 5, Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley and Diocesan Staff toured the grounds of McLeod Plantation on James Island where enslaved people were brought from Africa through Charleston harbor in the mid-1800s. The historic site, a member of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, offers an honest look at life on the plantation through the eyes of the enslaved people who were brought there without their consent, and through whom the fabric of our history and our culture was woven.

The tour was led by Toby Smith and John Gardner (who serves on the Diocesan Commission for Racial Justice and Reconciliation), who shared the stories of the enslaved people who lived on this sacred ground, how they were brought there against their will, forced to labor for the cultivation and processing of sea island cotton, endured unspeakable conditions and inhumane treatment, and yet through it all, maintained and embraced their Gullah/Geechee culture and persevered. The visit also included a close look at a cemetery on the grounds where untold numbers of enslaved people are buried. Efforts are currently underway to identify and properly memorialize this sacred area. Bishop Ruth offered a prayer alongside the cemetery for the bodies of the blessed souls laid to rest there. The visit to McLeod was an opportunity to continue to understand the history of our country and our state as we continue on a path toward reconciliation.

Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley said of the visit: "It was a profoundly impactful morning for me. I was so moved to learn that, as constituent member of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, McLeod centers its work on the lives of those who were enslaved on the land. The time we spent at McLeod with John Gardner and Toby Smith deepened my commitment to our collective work of justice.”