Sec. 178.
Ecclesiastical corporations. Any number of persons, not less than 3, may incorporate for the purpose of establishing any church organization for the purpose of teaching and spreading their religious beliefs and principles. Every such corporation shall be a non-profit corporation and subject to the provisions of this act relating to non-profit corporations generally except as specifically otherwise provided. The term "church" and/or "church organization" used in this act shall be construed to include any church, denominational unit, or church society as the term is commonly used and understood but shall not apply to such organizations as Sunday schools, Epworth Leagues, Young People's Unions, Bible classes and similar societies organized by and affiliated with the parent churches. Whenever any number of churches or other corporations organized for religious purposes desire to unite in a central organization for the accomplishment of any common purpose they may incorporate such organization by severally adopting, at meetings specially called for the purpose, resolutions expressing their desire to become members of such corporation; and by filing duly attested copies of such resolutions together with a copy of the articles of such corporation, as provided for the filing of articles in section 5 of this act. The corporations formed under this section are hereinafter called ecclesiastical corporations.
History: 1931, Act 327, Eff. Sept. 18, 1931 ;-- CL 1948, 450.178 Compiler's Notes: The catchline following the act section number was incorporated as part of the section when the act was enacted.Former Law: See section 5 of Ch. I of Part I of Act 84 of 1921, being CL 1929, § 9947; and section 1 of Ch. III of Part IV of Act 84 of 1921, being CL 1929, § 10109.
Structure Michigan Compiled Laws
Act 327 of 1931 - Michigan General Corporation Statute (450.1 - 450.192)
Section 450.62-450.64 - Repealed. 1982, Act 162, Eff. Jan. 1, 1983.
Section 450.65-450.80 - Repealed. 1972, Act 284, Eff. Jan. 1, 1973.
Section 450.81 - Repealed. 1982, Act 162, Eff. Jan. 1, 1983.
Section 450.82-450.91a - Repealed. 1972, Act 284, Eff. Jan. 1, 1973.
Section 450.92 - Repealed. 1982, Act 162, Eff. Jan. 1, 1983.
Section 450.93-450.97 - Repealed. 1974, Act 140, Imd. Eff. June 5, 1974.
Section 450.100 - Cooperative Corporations; Shares of Stock, Contents.
Section 450.102 - Cooperative Corporations; Membership, Regulations.
Section 450.103 - Cooperative Corporations; Amendments to Articles.
Section 450.104 - Cooperative Corporations; Reserve Funds, Investment; Shareholders, Vote.
Section 450.105 - Cooperative Corporations; Purchase of Business; Payment, Methods.
Section 450.107 - Cooperative Corporations; Surplus Earnings, Distribution; Failure, Penalty.
Section 450.108 - Cooperative Corporations; Dealing in Commodities; Contracts, Agreements.
Section 450.109 - Cooperative Corporations; Breach of Contract; Encouragement Prohibited; Penalty.
Section 450.117-450.132a - Repealed. 1982, Act 162, Eff. Jan. 1, 1983.
Section 450.133 - Incorporation of Fraternal or Secret Societies; Parent Lodge.
Section 450.134 - Parent Corporations; Articles of Incorporation.
Section 450.135 - Parent Corporations; Ritual, Rules; Subordinate Lodges, Chartering.
Section 450.136 - Parent Corporations; Supervision, Subordinate Lodge.
Section 450.137 - Parent Corporations; Management, Secretary.
Section 450.138 - Parent Corporations; Name, Regulations.
Section 450.139 - Parent Corporations; Powers as to Property.
Section 450.140 - Parent Corporations; Government, Representative Form; First Annual Meeting.
Section 450.141 - Parent Corporations; Annual Meeting, Powers.
Section 450.142 - Local Lodges; Purpose.
Section 450.143 - Local Lodges; Articles of Incorporation.
Section 450.144 - Local Lodges; Powers as to Property; Parent Corporation, Supervision.
Section 450.145 - Local Lodges; Officers, Representatives.
Section 450.146 - Parent or Local Lodges; Powers of Non-Profit Corporation.
Section 450.147 - Parent or Local Lodges; Relief Funds, Raising, Payment From Treasury.
Section 450.148 - Trustee Corporations; Definition.
Section 450.149 - Trustee Corporations; Trustees, Vesting of Property; Trust Instrument, Definition.
Section 450.150 - Trustee Corporations; Articles of Incorporation.
Section 450.151 - Trustee Corporations; Officers.
Section 450.152 - Trustee Corporations; Powers as to Property.
Section 450.153 - Trustee Corporations; Property and Funds, Use, Investments.
Section 450.154 - Trustee Corporations; Trustees, Vacancy, Filling.
Section 450.155 - Trustee Corporations; Circuit Courts, Petition; Jurisdiction of Court.
Section 450.156 - Trustee Corporations; Act Amendment of Trustee Agreement.
Section 450.158 - Trustee Corporations; Hospital, Asylum, Charitable Institution; Gifts, Acceptance.
Section 450.160 - Church Trustee Corporations; Trustees, Vacancy, Filling.
Section 450.161 - Church Trustee Corporations; Powers as to Property.
Section 450.162 - Church Trustee Corporations; Investment, Powers, Certificate.
Section 450.163-450.167 - Repealed. 1982, Act 162, Eff. Jan. 1, 1983.
Section 450.168 - Repealed. 1982, Act 162, Eff. Jan. 1, 1983.
Section 450.169 - Corporations to Provide Student Aid.
Section 450.170 - Educational Corporations; Incorporation.
Section 450.172 - Educational Foundations; Colleges, Establishment.
Section 450.173 - Educational Foundations; Articles of Incorporation, Contents, Amendment.
Section 450.174 - Educational Foundations; Property, Acceptance; Government.
Section 450.175 - Educational Foundations; Board of Directors, Trustees; Powers.
Section 450.178 - Ecclesiastical Corporations; Incorporation; Purpose.
Section 450.179 - Ecclesiastical Corporations; Articles of Incorporation.
Section 450.181 - Ecclesiastical Corporations; By-Laws.
Section 450.182 - Ecclesiastical Corporations; Articles, Amendment Procedure.
Section 450.183 - Ecclesiastical Corporations; Powers as to Property.
Section 450.184 - Ecclesiastical Corporations; Gifts, Acceptance, Investment.
Section 450.184a - Organization and Operation of Religious College by Ecclesiastical Corporation.
Section 450.185 - Ecclesiastical Corporations; Powers of Church Unrestricted.
Section 450.186 - Ecclesiastical Corporations; Sunday School, Religious Society; Incorporation.
Section 450.187 - Repealed. 1965, Act 161, Imd. Eff. July 15, 1965.
Section 450.187a - Repealed. 1970, Act 66, Imd. Eff. July 10, 1970.
Section 450.187b - Repealed. 1972, Act 284, Eff. Jan. 1, 1973.
Section 450.188, 450.189 - Repealed. 1982, Act 162, Eff. Jan. 1, 1983.
Section 450.190 - Catchline Headings of Sections Not Part of Act.