N.Y. Religious Corporations Law Section 221
Government of incorporated union churches

Any union church or society having a common place of worship or holding property belonging jointly to the several societies composing the same, but the sole right of occupancy of which is reserved to each of them in proportion to their interest in such property, or the money originally paid therefor by each, or in accordance with their plan of union agreed on, may, if any one or more of the churches or societies comprising such union church or society has ceased to exist, on the request of such remaining churches or society, redistribute and divide the time of occupancy among such remaining societies in proportion to their contributions to such property respectively, or in accordance with a new plan of union agreed on by them. Such redistribution shall be made by the trustees of said union church or society on written notice to the societies which it is alleged have ceased to exist; but no such society shall be deemed to have ceased to exist unless it has failed or neglected for a period of five consecutive years next preceding such request for redistribution, to hold meetings and have a clerk or secretary, and keep a list or registry of its members, or to have preaching, prayer or conference meetings, or other religious services in keeping with the usages of the denomination to which it belongs. Any one of the societies composing a union church or society, which shall have built a church edifice in the same village or neighborhood in which it holds its religious services, shall not thereby lose or forfeit in any way any of its rights or privileges in such union society, and the maintaining of divine worship, or contributing to its support in its own building, shall be regarded the same as if it held its meetings in the church building of such union society. Any notice for the election of trustees of the union society or for any other purpose which the law requires to be read or given at the time of divine service, may be read or given in the church edifice so built by any one of such societies, if at the time religious services are not held in the church edifice of such union society. But such notice must be posted on the outer door of such union church edifice at least fifteen days before the meeting. If any society composing any such church union or society has a greater interest in the occupancy of the church building than others, unless the several churches composing the union church or society have agreed otherwise, the number of trustees shall be odd, and the trustees shall be elected from such societies in proportion to their respective interests in the union, church or society, as nearly as may be. Any society composing such union church or society, which has built for itself a church edifice and become incorporated, may sell its interest and right of occupancy in such union society, and convey the same, when authorized so to do by a two-thirds vote of the voters thereof qualified to vote for union trustees, at a special meeting called for that purpose. The proceeds of such sale shall be used for the benefit of its church property.

Source: Section 221 — Government of incorporated union churches, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/RCO/221 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Nov. 1, 2025).

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Nov. 1, 2025

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 221. Gov’t of incorporated union churches's source at nysenate​.gov

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