Naperville Korean Church Reclaimed
Northern Illinois Conference | Oct. 4, 2024
The Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist Church in August signed a settlement with a breakaway faction of the former Naperville (Ill.) Korean United Methodist Church, amicably resolving a disagreement over the rightful ownership of the church building and other assets.
The settlement follows a 15-month dispute over The United Methodist Church’s “trust clause,” a statement included in legal documents (deeds) declaring that the property and assets of a local church or body of The United Methodist Church are held “in trust” for the benefit of the entire denomination. The clause ensures that United Methodist property will continue to be used for the purposes of The United Methodist Church. The settlement between the parties comes after a March 21 ruling in DuPage County, Ill., affirming the validity and enforceability of the trust clause. The settlement put an end to lingering disputes between the parties after the judge’s ruling.
The Northern Illinois Conference on Oct. 10, 2023, reluctantly filed a suit against the breakaway faction. A last resort following months of attempted negotiation, the suit alleged that the breakaway group unlawfully seized property and funds rightfully belonging to the NIC.
The congregation had sought to leave the Northern Illinois Conference because it disagreed with the conference’s recognition of the sacred worth of LGBTQ+ people and their eligibility to receive and participate in United Methodist ministries. The conference contended that the congregation withdrew from the denomination’s required disaffiliation process, wrongfully took the conference’s property, and blocked conference officials’ access to church property.
On March 21, Judge Anne T. Hayes, affirming the validity of the trust clause, issued an injunctive order restoring possession and control of the church property and accounts to the conference. The conference then resumed control of the church building, parsonage, assets, and bank accounts. Over the ensuing months the two parties successfully negotiated an amicable resolution of all differences.
Bishop Dan Schwerin, who oversees the NIC, celebrates the conclusion of this painful time in the conference’s history. “I am grateful for the good people who remain faithful to the UMC and now worship at the site under the new name Woori United Methodist Church,” the bishop said. “With the lawsuit behind us we can return to the work of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world in the greater Naperville area.”
The Rev. Victoria Rebeck serves as director of communications for the Northern Illinois Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. This article is republished from the conference website.