Newport Beach Church Worshipers Hold Sunday Services Outside To Protest Sale Of Building

NEWPORT BEACH (CBSLA.com)  —  Members of a Newport Beach church worshiped outside Sunday in protest of the 70-year-old building's recent sale.

St. James Episcopal Church on Via Lido was padlocked by LA's Bishop, John Bruno, last week.

CBS2's Joy Benedict spoke to congregants who said they vowed to fight the sale in court.

The congregants came to worship like any other Sunday but on this day they weren't allowed indoors.

"We're staying together and we are strong," said Debbie Drummond, a worshiper.

She told Benedict she couldn't believe it when she heard the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles came and padlocked the building, disconnected the phone and told everyone to get out.

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"It's wrong on every possible level you could look at it -- it's hurting people," she said.

Bruno came to the church six weeks ago and told members he was selling the property to a developer. The developer, in turn, said the building would be torn down and new condos would be put up in its place.

The property is just feet from the water in Newport Beach and the property is worth millions.

"He had no vision whatsoever for this congregation - that was up to us," said Bill Kroener, a parishioner.

So church members have spent the last few weeks fighting the sale. They formed a board, built a website, looked for a new building.

With weddings planned, the group was told they would have until October to vacate the premises.

But they didn't.

"It's a diocesan matter and he can do anything he wants without regard to the congregation, or Newport Beach," says Kroener.

Church members say the house of worship was built on a "catch."

"It was supposed to remain a church property in perpetuity," says Rev Cindy Vorhees, a pastor of the church.

The Griffith Company donated the land in 1945 with the understanding it would always be used as a church and members of this congregation say selling it doesn't send the right message to future donors

"My concern for the greater church, when someone wants to donate a significant sum or anything and says in perpetuity it should remain in perpetuity," said Vorhees.

Members contacted the Griffith Company and family of the donors who then contacted the bishop. They have since filed a lawsuit.

"They actually sued Griffith Company last week for title slander they are the donor," said Kroener

Despite being on borrowed land and borrowed time, church members told Benedict Sunday that even though they are also using borrowed books and loaned lawn chairs, they will continue their fight to block the sale.