The Associated Press

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Leaders of one of Georgia's oldest churches have voted to leave the Episcopal Church over its liberal-leaning interpretation of Scripture and acceptance of homosexuality.

The decision to split from the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia by leaders of Christ Church, established in 1733, could prompt a legal battle over ownership rights to the church building and property in downtown Savannah.

Christ Church leaders have been at odds with the national denomination for years, particularly after the Episcopal Church consecrated an openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, in 2003.

"We have witnessed how the Episcopal Church has separated itself from the historic Christian faith over the last few decades," said the Rev. Marc Robertson, rector of Christ Church.

Church leaders said Tuesday they had decided unanimously to join the conservative Province of Uganda under the worldwide Anglican Communion. They said the switch will not alter Christ Church's services and programs.

However, Bishop Henry I. Louttit of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia said Christ Church's building and property -- valued at nearly $3 million -- belong to the diocese rather than the congregation.

"Christ Church is and will remain a parish of the Episcopal Church in this diocese and will continue to occupy its present facilities," Louttit said in a statement.

Christ Church was established by Georgia's founder, Gen. James Edward Oglethorpe, and held its first service the same day Georgia became a British colony on Feb. 12, 1733. It is known as the "Mother Church of Georgia."

During its first century, the church was destroyed by fires and a hurricane and had to be rebuilt several times. Its current white-columned, Greek Revival building on Johnson Square was completed in 1898.

Earlier this year, church leaders nationwide set a Sept. 30 deadline for the Episcopal Church to pledge it would no longer consecrate gay bishops or bless gay partnerships.

Episcopal bishops responded with a Sept. 25 declaration that they would "exercise restraint" by not consenting to any candidate for bishop "whose manner of life presents a challenge" to the church. They also pledged not to authorize official prayers to bless same-sex couples.

The bishops' statement failed to satisfy critics on both sides of the issue. Supporters of gay clergy said the bishops gave in to conservatives, while traditionalists called their pledge a cleverly worded declaration of defiance.

Christ Church has withheld financial support from the Georgia diocese since at least 2004, prompting the bishop to issue a stern statement last year giving church leaders until June 30 to decide whether to remain in the Episcopal Church.

Christ Church leaders responded they were prepared to go to court over ownership rights to the church property.

Ownership of Episcopal parishes typically goes to the diocese serving the region.

But Christ Church leaders say the property belongs to them because its history predates the Episcopal denomination.

"We would certainly hope we could avoid any kind of litigation," Robertson said. "But we're confident of our ownership of that property."

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