Whenever any church in the Commonwealth has been in the undisputed possession, for a period of 25 years or more, of any real estate, and for which there is no deed of record, the church, after giving notice once a week for four successive weeks in some newspaper published in, or having general circulation in, the county or city in which such real estate is, may file a petition in the circuit court of such county, or any court of record of such city, duly sworn to, which petition shall set forth the fact that the real estate mentioned therein has been in the undisputed possession of such church for a period of 25 years or more and shall give the true boundaries of such real estate. Upon the hearing of such petition, if the court shall be satisfied that the real estate mentioned has been in the undisputed possession of such church for a period of 25 years or more; that the boundaries mentioned in the petition are the true boundaries of such real estate; and that such petition has been filed by the proper party, it may appoint a special commissioner to make conveyance of such real estate to the church, with covenant of special warranty.
1918, p. 94; 1924, p. 498; Michie Code 1942, § 46a; 2005, c. 772.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 57 - Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries
Chapter 2 - Church Property; Benevolent Associations and Objects
§ 57-3. Appropriation of glebe lands and church property
§ 57-4. Donations to vestries for charitable purposes
§ 57-5. R. E. Lee Camp; Pelham Chapel
§ 57-6. Lee Memorial Association
§ 57-6.1. Validity of literary, educational, and charitable gifts, grants, devises, or bequests
§ 57-7.1. What transfers for religious purposes valid
§ 57-9. How property rights determined on division of church or society
§ 57-10. How trustees to hold personal property
§ 57-11. Suits by and against trustees
§ 57-13. Suits by members against trustees to compel proper application of property
§ 57-14. Suits by members to have land sold or mortgaged
§ 57-15. Proceedings by trustees or members for similar purposes, exception for certain transfers
§ 57-15.1. Order may provide that fiscal officer may sign instrument without personal liability
§ 57-16. Property held, etc., by ecclesiastical officers
§ 57-16.1. Property of unincorporated church held by corporation
§ 57-17. Conveyance of church land held in adverse possession
§ 57-18. Conveyance for charitable purpose to unincorporated bodies or societies
§ 57-19. Conveyances of land to benevolent and other associations to be subject to certain sections
§ 57-20. Quantity of land benevolent and other associations may hold