Broad Cove Church has always belonged to the Cushing, Maine community, and it still does.
For over 170 years, Broad Cove Church in Cushing, Maine, has been a symbol of faith and community. Beyond a simple structure of wood and glass, it is a close-knit family, a keeper of local history, and a refuge for those seeking peace.
Today, however, the church faces an unexpected challenge. The New England Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC) has claimed ownership of its land, history, and one of its most valued possessions, threatening to close our doors and seize our assets.
The church wants to stand by its truth: Broad Cove Church has always belonged to the Cushing community, and it still does.
Since its founding, Broad Cove has maintained a spirit of independence that reflects Maine’s character. The diverse members of Broad Cove Church, many of whom never joined the Methodist Church, have invested their hearts, time, and tithes in this land. Although it often welcomes UMC members – along with people of other faiths – and UMC pastors (as well as Congregationalist and UCC clergy), it has always been an independent church. It is organized under state law as an independent church, and its bylaws have forever stated that it is an independent church. Moreover, its property deed establishes that it is independent, as it does not reference allegiance to any religious denomination. It has never voted to surrender its identity or property to its international organization.
The New England Annual Conference claims an implied “trust clause” through the United Methodist Church Book of Discipline. More specifically, the New England Annual Conference argues that because Broad Cove welcomed people who worshiped as Methodists, used Methodist hymnals, and occasionally hired its pastors, it is implicitly a United Methodist congregation.
The Wyeth Gift: More Than Just Paint and Paper
At the core of this controversy is a quiet, stunning watercolor. In 1968, as the congregation was planning an addition now called the Heritage Room, a cherished member, Jeannette Wales Chapman, reached out to her friend and neighbor, renowned artist Andrew Wyeth. She asked for a simple sketch. Wyeth, known for his generosity toward Cushing, gave her much more: a beautiful watercolor of the church with its new addition. He presented this artwork to Jeannette, who then shared it with the church family.
For decades, this painting has hung at the entrance of the church, symbolizing the bond between our faith and the rugged beauty of the Maine coast, vividly captured by Wyeth. Though experts valued it at $135,000 over twenty years ago, its worth to the Broad Cove church family is priceless. It stands as a neighborly gift to our congregation. Broad Cove Church entrusted it to the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland.
After the District Superintendent of the New England Conference threatened to “Lock the damn doors and chain up the building,” the Bishop of the New England Conference contacted the museum, demanding that they withhold the painting from the church. The Conference aims to claim it as “personal property” of the denomination. The Conference then had its lawyer threaten the congregation with taking its property. With the threat of locking the doors, claiming ownership of the Wyeth painting, and threatening the members with legal action, the Church took the bold and courageous step of filing a lawsuit to protect its property.
The Legal Battle.
The legal battle between Broad Cove Church and the New England Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC) is a complex intersection of 19th-century church law and 21st-century property rights. At its core, the dispute is a clash between the UMC’s global “Trust Clause” and Broad Cove’s local, independent ownership.
The UMC’s primary legal argument rests on a provision in its governing document, the Book of Discipline. This “Trust Clause” asserts that all local church property—including land, buildings, and even hymnals—is held in trust for the benefit of the entire denomination. The Conference argues that because Broad Cove has accepted UMC pastors, it has implicitly agreed to this trust. Under this view, the local church is merely a “custodian” of the property.
Broad Cove Church argues it is an independent entity, incorporated in Maine in 1969. They contend that their deeds and legal documents do not contain the UMC trust language. Since the congregation never formally voted to affiliate with the UMC or transfer its title, they argue that the denomination cannot seize property it never legally owned.
“Neutral Principles of Law”
In cases involving religious splits, courts generally try to avoid “ecclesiastical” questions (matters of faith or doctrine). Instead, Maine courts apply “neutral principles of law.” This means the judge looks at the dispute as if it were between two secular businesses. The court examines deeds, articles of incorporation, and state statutes rather than religious scripture. The critical question is whether the local church clearly and legally intends to place its property into a trust for the UMC. Broad Cove asserts that “silence” or “cooperation with pastors” does not constitute a legal transfer of a million-dollar property.
The Request for Preliminary Injunction
Broad Cove Church recently sought a preliminary injunction in Knox County Superior Court to prevent the UMC from taking any action—such as locking the doors or seizing the painting from the Farnsworth Art Museum—while the lawsuit is pending. To win an injunction, Broad Cove must prove it would suffer “irreparable harm” (damage that money cannot fix). The church argued that losing access to their sanctuary and their historic Wyeth painting constitutes such harm. The Conference argued that an injunction is unnecessary because they have no immediate plans to lock the doors until the legal ownership is decided.
Why they Fight
Broad Cove is a community, not a line item on a denominational $60 billion property balance sheet. The local church stands firm because it believes in the importance of local ministry. A gift from Andrew Wyeth to a friend for her church should stay with that church.
Broad Cove Church is not alone. Many churches across the country face similar struggles as they plan their future. But in Cushing, Maine, the local church’s story is unique—it’s written in the salty air, the granite coast, and the strokes of a watercolor painting.
How You Can Help
Though Broad Cove Church is a small congregation facing a large organization, the truth is on our side. We ask for your prayers and support as we go to the Knox County Superior Court. The goal of Broad Cove Church isn’t to fight but to keep our home. The members want Broad Cove Church to remain what it has always been: independent, welcoming, and deeply rooted in Cushing, Maine.
If your church encounters the same issue, please contact Daniel Dalton or a member of the religious property team to discuss your matter.
