(a) Any religious society may become a religious corporation, when its purpose to do so is determined by a vote of two-thirds of those members present at a meeting warned and held for that purpose or by such other vote, but not less than a majority of members present and voting, as may be provided by the charter or bylaws, by filing, in the office of the Secretary of the State, such certificate, in proper form executed, as shall be prescribed by said secretary.
(b) A person who, at the date of the organization of such corporation, is a member of such religious society shall become a member of such religious corporation, unless within a reasonable time he notifies the clerk or similar officer of either the religious society or of the religious corporation that he has elected not to become a member of the religious corporation.
(c) Upon filing with the Secretary of the State as provided in this section, the separate existence of the religious society shall cease and thereupon all property, real and personal, and all debts due on whatever account, and all other choses in action, and all and every other interest, of or belonging to or due to the religious society shall be taken to and transferred to and vested in the religious corporation without further act and deed. The religious corporation shall thenceforth be responsible and liable for all the liabilities, obligations and penalties of the religious society; any claim existing or action or proceeding, civil or criminal, pending by or against any such religious society may be prosecuted as if such incorporation had not taken place, or the religious corporation may be substituted in its place; and any judgment rendered against the religious society may be enforced against the religious corporation. Neither the rights of creditors nor any liens upon property of the religious society shall be impaired by the incorporation of such religious society.
(d) Each unvested gift or legacy to a religious society which, pursuant to the provisions of this section has ceased to exist, shall inure to and vest in the religious corporation which has taken its place.
(1969, P.A. 314, S. 4.)
Cited. 224 C. 797.
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.