Church Closed
Leaders of the Liberia Annual Conference temporarily closed S.T. Nagbe UMC in Monrovia in hopes of defusing disruptions between church members and supporters of the Global Methodist Church. Liberia's civil court affirmed the conference's ownership of all church-related properties on Aug. 18. (Photo Courtesy of The New Dawn Liberia)
Liberia Annual Conference | August 18, 2025
RE: Landmark Class Action Ruling: Liberia Civil Law Court Confirms UMC Ownership ofChurches, Schools, Hospitals, and Retains Sole Possession of Its Properties Across Liberia.
Today, Monday, August 18, 2025, the Liberia Annual Conference, of The United Methodist Church (LAC/UMC) won its right to own and take full possession of all of its properties, places of worship, health institutions, educational facilities, and any other properties owned by the Liberia Annual Conference, United Methodists Church in Liberia.
In granting the Petition for Declaratory Judgment, Summary Judgement His Honor Judge George Smith of the Civil Law Court, Sixth Judicial Circuit, Temple of Justice, ruled decisively: “Churches, Schools, Parsonages, Hospitals/Clinics, and preaching points belong to the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. When you leave a Church, you forfeit the rights and privileges over that Church.”
Judge Smith, citing historical examples of church separations, including the Catholic and Anglican traditions, and John Wesley’s break from the Anglican Church, noted that in such cases, those who depart are not “distributees” of church property. He ruled that by seceding from and terminating their membership with the LAC/UMC, the Global Methodist Church and its leaders forfeit any beneficiary ownership of LAC/UMC properties. They therefore have no right to occupy or transfer the properties, nor to remove signs and inscriptions which mark the distinction of the Liberia Annual Conference, UMC.
The Court’s ruling affirms and confirms that the Global Methodist Church and its leaders, 1st Respondent, the Global Methodist Church, and 2nd Respondents: Rev. Dr. Jerry P. Kulah, Rev. Dr. J. Sarwolo Nelson, Jr., Rev. Dr. George D. Wilson, Jr., Rev. Dr. Isaac Chuckpue Padmore, Rev. Julius Y.Z.K. Williams, I, Rev. Kenneth C. Jackson, Rev. Leo Mayson, Rev. Rodney Marshall, Rev. Elijah Dajue, Rev. Cooper Page Mondolo, Rev. Allen Paye, Fth. Johnson Jooju Kumeh, Cllr. Emmanuel T. Tomah, and Mr. L. Olando Boyce, I, they have no authority or ownership color of rights over sacred properties owned by the Liberian Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
The Judge further cited both Liberian and American jurisprudence, noting that since title was not in dispute, and the LAC/UMC had produced several valid deeds, the Court affirms and confirmed that the LAC/UMC is the legal and equitable owner and trustee of its properties for the use and benefit of its members of the United Methodist Church in Liberia.
The LAC/UMC reminds all Liberians inside and outside and the international community that it is one of the historic and iconic churches whose ministry contributed to the founding of this Republic. The Church categorically denies false propaganda and criminal misrepresentation that it promotes same-sex marriage.
The UMC remains a Bible-believing and Liberian law-abiding Church that upholds the biblical, cultural, and civil definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman, authorized by the State and, when requested, solemnized by the Church.
The LAC/UMC reiterates that recent disturbances at its churches, schools, and medical facilities are the result of illegal property grabs by 1st and 2nd respondents in this matter, who have broken away to form another denomination for selfish reason(s) including power, property grabs and positions. These actionsare condemned, and the Church has rightfully turned to the courts to defend its rights.
This ruling represents a victory for truth, law, and the preservation of sacred properties owned by the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in perpetuity.
Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire, Jr., Resident Bishop of the Liberia Episcopal Area, has called upon all members and leaders of the United Methodist Church in Liberia to continue praying for peace, reconciliation, and spiritual healing within our denomination. “Let us recommit ourselves to the teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Bishop Quire urged.
Signed:
Cllr. Dr. Tolbert G. Nyenswah, ESQ,
Liberia Annual Conference Lay- leader