The circuit court of the county or the circuit court of the city, or the judge thereof in vacation, wherein there is any parcel of such land or the greater part thereof may, on the application of the proper authorities of an unincorporated church or religious body or branch or division thereof, from time to time appoint trustees, either where there were, or are, none or in place of former trustees, and on such application and without notice to the trustee or trustees change those so appointed whenever it may seem to the court or judge proper to effect and promote the purpose and object of the conveyance, devise, or dedication, and the legal title to such land shall for that purpose and object be vested in the trustees for the time being and their successors.
All such changes and appointments heretofore [before March 31, 1966] made are hereby validated, ratified, approved and confirmed.
Code 1919, § 39; 1962, c. 516; 1966, c. 216; 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