(a) A religious society or a religious corporation formed under section 33-264a and any corporation or voluntary association formed under part II of this chapter may hold, manage, acquire, purchase, sell, convey and have and exercise any rights of ownership in real and personal property for the use and support of public worship or for any ecclesiastical, missionary, charitable or educational purpose. Grants, donations, devises and bequests of real and personal property may be received and held in trust or otherwise for such purposes.
(b) A religious society may, in its charter or by bylaw or otherwise, adopt provisions relative to its membership, affairs and government.
(c) A religious corporation may, in its charter or by bylaw or otherwise, adopt provisions relative to its membership, affairs and government and shall have in addition to those powers granted in this part all the powers enumerated in section 33-1036. A corporation which is organized under any other law of this state and which is formed for public worship shall have, in addition to all other powers conferred by law, the powers conferred on religious corporations under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.
(d) A member of a religious society or of a religious corporation shall not be liable for any obligation to the creditors of such religious society or religious corporation.
(1969, P.A. 314, S. 3; P.A. 96-256, S. 190, 209.)
History: P.A. 96-256 amended Subsec. (c) to replace reference to Sec. 33-428 with Sec. 33-1036, effective January 1, 1997.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Chapter 598 - Religious Corporations and Societies
Section 33-243 to 33-264. - Religious corporations and societies: General provisions.
Section 33-264a. - Formation of religious corporation or society.
Section 33-264b. - Filing of certificate.
Section 33-264d. - Change from religious society to corporation.
Section 33-264e. - Dissolution.
Section 33-264f. - Judicial dissolution.
Section 33-264h. - Conveyances by ecclesiastical societies to religious societies and corporations.
Section 33-264i. - Dissolution of ecclesiastical society.
Section 33-264j. - Status of societies established prior to October 1, 1969.
Section 33-264k. - Construction of part.
Section 33-264l. - Prior rights and liabilities unaffected.
Section 33-265. - Legal status and powers.
Section 33-266. - Regulations.
Section 33-267. - Two organizations in one society.
Section 33-268. - Election of trustees.
Section 33-269. - Number; term of office.
Section 33-270. - Organization and powers of trustees. Treasurer's report.
Section 33-271. - District superintendent or presiding elder and stewards may form corporation.
Section 33-272. - Powers of corporation.
Section 33-273. - Appointment of trustees.
Section 33-274. - Trustees may convey real estate to corporation.
Section 33-275. - Union of churches; their trustees and property.
Section 33-276. - Change of name.
Section 33-277. - Election and powers of trustees.
Section 33-278. - Change of name.
Section 33-278a. - Name changes authorized.
Section 33-278b. - Powers. Merger. Dissolution. Formation.
Section 33-279. - Organization as corporation.
Section 33-280. - Property rights of Roman Catholic Church.
Section 33-281. - Subject to laws of church.
Section 33-281a. - Change of name of Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren Churches.