Westminster Presbyterian Church

“Remember that incomplete act of sale” a voice whispers from the past. Right here stands Westminster Presbyterian Church a silent sentinel on St Charles Avenue. It’s a story etched in both stone and legal documents. Westminster Presbyterian Church wasn’t always a vacant building. For years it thrived a vibrant hub of faith and community. Then came financial hardship. The Gulf Coast Presbytery dissolved the congregation in 1967. The church property fell silent. It stood empty for five years. A legal battle ensued. Robert Schaneville a member of Westminster petitioned the court. He wanted to be appointed receiver of the church’s assets. The existing trustees opposed him. They wanted to transfer the property to the Gulf Coast Presbytery. The court sided with the trustees. They became co-receivers. The legal documents reveal a clash of interests. The Louisiana corporation’s charter required congregational approval for property sales. Yet the national Presbyterian Church constitution gave the Presbytery authority over dissolved churches’ assets. The incomplete act of sale signed by the trustees showed their attempt to follow the national church guidelines. However they hadn’t obtained the required local approval. Schaneville’s complaint of mismanagement hinged on this attempted transfer. The court ultimately affirmed the trustees’ appointment. They saw the trustees’ long dedication as a reason to favor them over Schaneville. His involvement in the church had been sporadic. Westminster Presbyterian Church a building with a rich past now stands as a reminder of a legal battle. A battle reflecting the complex interplay between local laws and religious governance. A silent witness to the changing times the enduring questions of faith and property rights. The echoes of services and legal arguments still resonate within its walls. A chapter of New Orleans history remains incomplete. Yet the story of Westminster Presbyterian Church continues.