Every conveyance or transfer of real or personal property, whether inter vivos or by will, which is made to or for the benefit of any church, church diocese, religious congregation or religious society, whether by purchase or gift, shall be valid.
Any such conveyance or transfer that fails to state a specific purpose shall be used for the religious and benevolent purposes of the church, church diocese, religious congregation or religious society as determined appropriate by the authorities which, under its rules or usages, have charge of the administration of the temporalities thereof.
No such conveyance or transfer shall fail or be declared void for insufficient designation of the beneficiaries in any case where the church, church diocese, religious congregation or religious society has lawful trustees in existence, is capable of securing the appointment of lawful trustees upon application as prescribed in § 57-8, is incorporated, has created a corporation pursuant to § 57-16.1, or has ecclesiastical officers pursuant to the provisions of § 57-16.
1993, c. 370; 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