N.J. Stat. tit. 16, ch. 11

N.J. Stat. tit. 16, ch. 11
in effect

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-1 Incorporation; election of trustees; tenure

Any Christian congregation connected with the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, not having an incorporated board of trustees, may elect and incorporate a board of trustees in the following manner: Any 7 or more members of the congregation, male or female, 21 years of age, may sign a written notice of a business meeting of the congregation to decide whether trustees shall be elected and incorporated, and to elect such trustees if so decided. The notice shall be conspicuously posted at the main entrance of the usual place of meeting for public worship at least 10 days previous to the date of the meeting mentioned in the notice. If, at such meeting, the congregation shall decide by resolution to elect and incorporate a board of trustees, they shall then by resolution determine the number of trustees to be elected, which number shall be 3 or any multiple of 3, and the name by which the incorporated board shall be known. Thereupon the congregation shall, by a plurality of the votes cast by those of its members, male or female, 21 years of age, who have within the 3 months next preceding contributed toward the support of the gospel in that congregation, elect, from such members, 1/3 of the whole number of trustees to serve until the first succeeding annual business meeting, 1/3 until the second succeeding annual business meeting, and 1/3 until the third succeeding annual business meeting, but a majority of the whole number of trustees shall at all times be members of the church in good and regular standing. At each succeeding annual business meeting of the congregation, successors of the class of trustees whose terms are then expiring shall be elected from such members of the congregation as aforesaid to serve until the third annual business meeting after the election of such successors. Amended by L.1964, c. 270, s. 1.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-2 Certificate of incorporation; contents; acknowledgment; recording

Such board of trustees shall make, sign and seal a certificate of incorporation as soon as possible after the first election, setting forth: a. The location of the usual place of meeting for public worship of the congregation; b. The names of the trustees elected at the first election and their respective terms of office; and c. The name chosen by the congregation by which the board of trustees shall be known. This certificate shall be acknowledged by each trustee before such officer and in such manner as may be required by law for the acknowledgment of deeds of lands, a certificate of which acknowledgment shall be indorsed in writing on the certificate of incorporation by the officer taking the same. The certificate, so acknowledged, shall then be recorded in the office of the clerk of the county in which the congregation's usual place of meeting for public worship is located and shall then be filed and recorded in the office of the secretary of state, for which services the county clerk and the secretary of state shall be respectively entitled to the fees provided in section 22:2-19 and section 22:4-1 of the title Fees and Costs. Thereupon such board of trustees and their successors shall be a corporation by the name set forth in such certificate.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-3 Powers; sale, conveyance or mortgage; authorization by members

The congregation may, at any annual business meeting or at a special business meeting duly called for that purpose, adopt by-laws for the management of the temporal affairs of the congregation and the election of trustees, not inconsistent with this article. Every such incorporated board of trustees may annually elect from their number a president and a secretary and may make and execute such contracts as the congregation by its by-laws or resolutions may from time to time authorize. Such board shall also have all the powers enumerated in section 16:1-4 of this title, except that no sale or conveyance of any real estate held by such trustees, or mortgage upon any real or personal property held by such trustees to secure bonds issued by them shall be made unless previously authorized by two-thirds of the votes cast at a duly called annual or special business meeting of the congregation.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-4 Certain powers subject to authority of session or spiritual officers

In the exercise of any power necessary to the proper care of the property held for the uses of the congregation, such corporation shall be subject to such authority over the worship of the congregation, including the musical service, over the times and places of preaching the word of God and of all other religious services, and over the uses to which the church buildings and other properties may be put, as may be committed by the constitution of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America to the session of the church or to any other spiritual officers, and shall have no power to make by-laws or exercise any power with respect to matters so committed. Amended by L.1964, c. 270, s. 2.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-5 Voters; qualifications; list of

The persons entitled to vote at any annual or special business meeting of any congregation connected with the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America shall be those members of the congregation who are 21 years of age and who contribute by regular payments at stated periods to the support and necessary expenses of the congregation in accordance with its rules. There shall be a list of such contributors, which shall be compiled and kept accurate by the treasurer of the board of trustees and a copy of which shall be furnished by him to the session of the church. Such list shall be the authoritative list of voters at every such meeting. Amended by L.1964, c. 270, s. 3.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-6 Succession of trustees of church having incorporated board

L.1905, c. 137, s. 3, p. 252 (C.S. p. 4342, s. 79), being section three of an act entitled "An act concerning the election and incorporation of the trustees and the management of the temporal affairs of Christian congregations connected with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America," approved April twelfth, one thousand nine hundred and five, saved from repeal. [This section provides for the succession of trustees of Presbyterian churches having an incorporated board on January first, one thousand nine hundred and six.]

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-7 Trustees; change of number

Any Christian congregation connected with the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, having an incorporated board of trustees, may change the number of such trustees in the following manner: Written notice of the proposed change, authorized by the existing board of trustees or signed by at least 7 members of the congregation entitled to vote on the question, shall be conspicuously posted at the main entrance of the congregation's usual place of meeting for public worship, at least 10 days previous to the date of the annual business meeting at which it is intended to take action on the proposed change. At such meeting the congregation shall determine by by-law or resolution the number of trustees of which the board shall thereafter be composed, which number shall be 3 or any multiple of 3. The congregation shall then elect, by a plurality of the votes cast by the members thereof having the qualifications provided in section 16:11-5 of this Title, the number of trustees so determined, which trustees and their successors shall be apportioned and hold office for the terms and have the qualifications of trustees as provided in section 16:11-1 of this Title. The terms of all trustees theretofore elected shall end as soon as their successors shall be elected, when any such change is made. Amended by L.1964, c. 270, s. 4.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-8 § 16:11-8

The president of the board of trustees may convene the board as occasion may require, and shall convene it on a written request signed by two members of the board.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-9 § 16:11-9

The secretary of the board of trustees shall keep the minutes of the proceedings of the board in a book to be provided for that purpose, and shall have custody of the common seal of the board. He shall deliver the book of minutes and common seal to his successor in office upon demand.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-10 Treasurer; election and duties

A treasurer may be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by a congregation at its first business meeting for the election of trustees, or at any annual business meeting of the congregation, to serve until the next annual business meeting after his election. He shall be an ex-officio member of the board of trustees and shall: a. Have charge of moneys of the congregation which are contributed or paid to the board of trustees for congregational uses, and shall keep a correct account of the receipts and disbursements of the same, separate from his private account and under his official title as "treasurer" ; b. Render a statement in writing of the receipts and disbursements for the preceding year at each annual business meeting of the congregation, and from time to time render such other financial statements as shall be required by the congregation or the board of trustees; and c. Be the custodian of all policies of insurance and securities of the board of trustees, and all books, papers and documents pertaining to the temporal affairs of the congregation, except the book of minutes of the proceedings of the board of trustees, which shall remain in the custody of the secretary of the board, and shall deliver them and the balance of moneys in his hands as such treasurer to his successor in office on demand.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-11 § 16:11-11

If a treasurer is not elected by a congregation at its first business meeting for the election of trustees or at any annual business meeting thereof, such failure shall be construed as a preference by the congregation that the treasurer be elected by the board of trustees. In such case the trustees, at their first meeting thereafter, shall elect one of their own number, or any member of the congregation, treasurer, to serve until the next annual business meeting of the congregation, or, if no treasurer be then elected, until the first meeting of the board of trustees after such annual business meeting. The duties and powers of a treasurer elected by the trustees shall be the same as those of a treasurer elected by the congregation.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-12 § 16:11-12

An auditing committee consisting of three persons shall be elected at the first business meeting of a congregation for the election of trustees and at each annual business meeting of the congregation. Such committee shall, within ten days previous to the next annual business meeting of the congregation, examine the accounts and vouchers of the treasurer, and report thereon at such meeting.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-13 § 16:11-13

Whenever a vacancy shall occur in any board of trustees, the remaining trustees shall constitute the board until the vacancy is filled. The vacancy may be filled for the unexpired term either at a special business meeting of the congregation duly called for that purpose or at the next annual business meeting of the congregation. Whenever a vacancy shall occur in the office of president, the trustee of the board, senior in age, shall be president pro tempore, and the board shall elect one of its number to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. A vacancy in the office of secretary or treasurer, or in the auditing committee, shall be filled by the board of trustees electing a person to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-14 § 16:11-14

Every annual business meeting of any such congregation shall be held at its usual place of meeting for public worship at such time as the congregation shall by by-law prescribe, or, if there be no such by-law, then at such time as the board of trustees shall by resolution prescribe. In either case the board of trustees shall cause a notice of the annual meeting to be conspicuously posted at the main entrance of the congregation's usual place of meeting for public worship, at least ten days previous to the date prescribed for the meeting. If the board of trustees fail to cause the notice to be posted ten days before the date prescribed for the annual meeting by any by-law of the congregation, or, if there be no such by-law and the board of trustees fail to cause the notice to be posted within one year and ten days after any annual business meeting shall have been held, then any seven members of the congregation entitled to vote thereat may sign and cause a notice of such annual meeting to be conspicuously posted at the main entrance of the congregation's usual place of meeting for public worship, at least ten days previous to the date of the meeting mentioned in their notice.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-15 Special meetings of congregation

Every special business meeting of any such congregation shall be held at its usual place of meeting for public worship and may be called at any time by the board of trustees or by not less than 1/4 of the members of the congregation entitled to vote thereat, upon written notice of the time, place and object thereof. The notice shall be conspicuously posted at the main entrance of the congregation's usual place of meeting for public worship, at least 10 days prior to the date of the meeting mentioned in the notice. The business of such special meeting shall be limited to the object mentioned in the notice. Nothing in this section shall be construed as a limitation upon the power of the session of the church, or of any other spiritual officers, to call a congregational meeting at any time for any purpose authorized by the constitution of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. Amended by L.1964, c. 270, s. 5.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-16 Annual reports; statements

The minutes of the proceedings of the board of trustees and of all annual and special business meetings of the congregation, and a statement of the receipts and disbursements of the treasurer, shall at least annually, and as much oftener as may be required by the session of the church, be submitted to such session for review, for incorporation in its records, and for report to the higher judicatories of the church, according to the provisions of the constitution of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. Amended by L.1964, c. 270, s. 6.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-17 § 16:11-17

Subject to reasonable regulations, any member of the board of trustees or congregation shall, upon application to the secretary or treasurer, be entitled to inspect and examine any of the policies of insurance, securities, books, papers and documents in the custody of either of such officers and to copy the same or make extracts therefrom.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-18 Incorporation of presbytery; powers

Any presbytery in this State of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, convened at a stated meeting in accordance with its usages, may, for the purpose of incorporation, elect, by ballot, from its members, 5 ministers and 5 ruling elders to be trustees of the same. Such trustees shall adopt a name, shall certify such name under their hands and seals, and forthwith transmit such certificate to the Secretary of State, who shall forthwith record the same. Thereupon such trustees and their successors shall be a corporation by the name stated in such certificate, with the powers enumerated in section 16:1-4 of this Title, except that of paragraph "i" of said section. Amended by L.1964, c. 270, s. 7.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-19 § 16:11-19

The members of any presbytery, incorporated under section 16:11-18 of this title, may, at a stated meeting, elect by ballot, in the manner directed for the election of the first trustees, any trustee or trustees in place of those or any of those before elected. Such renewal shall not be less than one year after his or their election into office, unless it shall be to fill a vacancy caused by the death or resignation of any trustee or his moving out of the limits of such presbytery.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-20 § 16:11-20

Such corporation may elect annually one of its own members to be president. He shall keep the minutes and enter the orders, acts and proceedings of the corporation in a book kept for that purpose, and shall have custody of the common seal and the papers, deeds, writings, documents and books of or relating to such corporation. He shall convene the corporation as occasion may require. In case of his absence for any cause, the office of president shall devolve on the senior trustee for the time being, who shall occupy the same until the return of the president or the election of another.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-21 Reincorporation under other provisions; resolution; certificate recorded

Any presbytery incorporated under this article, that shall desire to avail itself of any other statutory provisions relating to or providing for the incorporation of presbyteries in this state, may do so by a resolution of the board of trustees of such presbytery. The president of such board of trustees shall make, under his hand and sealed with the seal of such presbytery, a certificate of such resolution and of the changes in organization or powers intended to be accomplished thereby, and of the acts, the provisions of which it is intended to take advantage, and shall have it recorded in the office of the secretary of state, for which service the secretary of state shall be entitled to receive the fees provided by section 22:4-1 of the title Fees and Costs.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-22 Trustees; change of number and tenure; provisions for election of officers; resolution; certificate recorded

Any presbytery incorporated under this article may, by a resolution approved by its board of trustees and by the presbytery, change the number of trustees to be thereafter elected and their respective terms of office, and make such provisions for the election of a president, a secretary and a treasurer of the board of trustees as may be deemed advisable by such board of trustees and presbytery. A copy of such resolution, certified under the hand and seal of the president and secretary of the board of trustees and of the stated clerk of the presbytery, shall be recorded in the office of the secretary of state, for which service the secretary of state shall be entitled to receive the fees provided by section 22:4-1 of the title Fees and Costs.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-23 Property of dissolved church; disposition of property and proceeds

When any presbytery in this State connected with the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America heretofore has dissolved or hereafter dissolves any particular local church subject to the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of such presbytery, pursuant to the constitution, laws, usages or customs of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, all the real and personal property of the particular local church and of the congregation connected therewith, whether held by an incorporated board of trustees or otherwise, shall thereupon vest in the trustees of such presbytery, provided the trustees are incorporated, in the same manner as the property was vested in the board of trustees or persons or body holding the same in trust for the particular local church and congregation. The trustees of the presbytery may, under the direction of the presbytery, manage, sell, or otherwise freely dispose of the same, and shall apply the proceeds thereof in such manner as to the presbytery may seem best for religious uses and purposes within the territory over which the presbytery shall have ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Any sale or conveyance of such property made by such trustees shall be as good and effectual as if made by the board of trustees, persons or body formerly holding the same, and shall vest in the grantee all the right, title and interest in and to such property theretofore vested in the church and its trustees, or in the congregation connected therewith, or in the persons or body holding the same in trust for the particular local church and congregation. Amended by L.1964, c. 270, s. 8.

N.J. Stat. § 16:11-24 § 16:11-24

A copy of any certificate required to be filed in the office of the secretary of state by any provision of this chapter, duly certified under the hand and official seal of the secretary of state, shall be received in evidence in any court.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026

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