N.J. Stat. tit. 16, ch. 13

N.J. Stat. tit. 16, ch. 13
in effect

N.J. Stat. § 16:13-1 Incorporation

As used in this chapter, "Reformed" congregation, church or society means and includes those which were formerly designated by the name "Reformed Dutch" congregation, church or society. The minister or ministers, elders and deacons, for the time being, or if there be no minister or ministers, the elders and deacons, for the time being, of every Reformed congregation, shall be trustees of the same and become a corporation by the name such trustees shall assume, in the following manner: Such trustees shall certify the name they assume under their hands and seals, and transmit the certificate to the clerk of the county, who shall forthwith record the same, for which service he shall be entitled to receive the fee provided in section 22:2-19 of the title Fees and Costs. Thereupon the trustees shall be a corporation by the name and title stated in such certificate.

N.J. Stat. § 16:13-2 § 16:13-2

Such trustees shall have all the powers enumerated in section 16:1-4 of this title, except that no deed or instrument of conveyance of real estate shall be good and effectual unless it is sealed with the common seal and signed by a majority of the members of such corporation.

N.J. Stat. § 16:13-3 § 16:13-3

Every minister, elder or deacon shall continue in office as such trustee until another person shall be duly elected, appointed or called in his stead, according to the manner, usages and customs of the Reformed Church. If any dispute shall arise respecting the validity of the election, appointment or call of the trustees, such dispute shall be referred, for final decision, to the superior church judicature, to which the congregation is subordinate, according to the customs and constitution of the Reformed Church.

N.J. Stat. § 16:13-4 § 16:13-4

The president of such corporation shall be the person who is, according to the usage and custom of the Reformed Church, ordinarily to preside at the meeting of the ministers, elders and deacons of such congregation. He may convene the corporation as occasion may require, and shall convene the same at the request of any two or more members, in such manner and under such regulations as the corporation shall from time to time direct.

N.J. Stat. § 16:13-5 § 16:13-5

The corporation may, from time to time, appoint a fit person belonging to such congregation, who shall keep the minutes, and enter the orders, acts and proceedings of the corporation, in a book to be kept for that purpose, have custody of the common seal and the papers, deeds, writings, documents and books of or relating to such corporation, and who shall deliver the same, when demanded, to the corporation, under such pecuniary penalty as it shall have previously fixed and ordained.

N.J. Stat. § 16:13-6 § 16:13-6

Every person of the congregation who regularly contributes to the support of the gospel in the congregation, shall have free access to all the papers, deeds, writings, minutes, documents and books, of or belonging to the corporation.

N.J. Stat. § 16:13-7 § 16:13-7

The proceedings, orders and acts of a majority of all the members of the corporation, but not of a less number, shall be valid and effectual. No member shall be allowed to vote on any matter which immediately affects himself, his private interest or emolument.

N.J. Stat. § 16:13-8 § 16:13-8

The trustees of any Reformed congregation, by whatever name incorporated, may renounce or forego the charter or act by which they were incorporated and their name, by writing under their hands and seals and recorded with the county clerk, if the ministers, elders and deacons, or elders and deacons of the congregation, as the case may require, incorporate themselves pursuant to this chapter. Upon such incorporation and recording of such writing, their former incorporation shall cease and be dissolved, and all the real and personal property shall vest in the corporation formed under this chapter, the trustees of which shall be the legal successors in office to those of the former corporation and liable to their debts.

N.J. Stat. § 16:13-9 § 16:13-9

Where two or more Reformed congregations, which have been united into one corporation, shall disunite by renouncing or foregoing their former incorporation, and each or any of them shall incorporate under this chapter, the real and personal property that belongs to each of such congregations, separately considered, shall be and remain in the possession of the corporation of that particular church to which such property rightfully belongs. All real and personal property acquired by the congregations during their union as a body politic, shall be divided between them in such manner as shall be agreed upon by the trustees of the corporation.

N.J. Stat. § 16:13-10 Renunciation of separate charters and joint incorporation

The trustees of any two or more Reformed congregations, by whatever name known in their charters or acts of incorporation, may form one joint corporation in the following manner: Such trustees shall renounce or forego their separate charters or acts of incorporation by mutual consent in writing, under their hands and seals, which writing shall signify their intention to become one joint corporation and shall be recorded in the office of the county clerk. Such trustees shall also form themselves into one corporation in accordance with this chapter. Upon recording such writing, and after such joint incorporation, the former separate corporations shall cease and be dissolved, and all real and personal property held by them separately, shall vest in the trustees of the joint corporation, which trustees shall be the legal successors in office of the former separate bodies, and be liable to their debts.

N.J. Stat. § 16:13-11 § 16:13-11

The provisions of this chapter and of former acts of the legislature relating to the incorporation of trustees of religious societies applying to Reformed or Reformed Dutch churches shall extend and apply to the religious societies or congregations of this state known as True Reformed Dutch churches or Christian Reformed churches, and all proceedings taken before March eleventh, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-two, by the True Reformed Dutch churches or Christian Reformed churches, to incorporate themselves and to exercise corporate powers, under and in accordance with said provisions are hereby validated and confirmed.

N.J. Stat. § 16:13-12 § 16:13-12

The rights and customs of the Reformed Church in America to conduct their affairs and to convey or mortgage their property by a majority vote of their consistory are hereby confirmed. Any law passed before March nineteenth, one thousand nine hundred, requiring the reference of such matters to a vote of the congregation shall not apply to the Reformed Church of America.

N.J. Stat. § 16:13-13 Sections inapplicable to Reformed churches

The provisions of sections 16:1-1, 16:1-2, 16:1-9, 16:1-13, 16:1-14, 16:1-15 and 16:1-16 of this title shall not be construed to extend to or affect the Reformed churches of this state.

N.J. Stat. § 16:13-14 § 16:13-14

All real and personal property belonging to or held in trust for any Reformed church in America or any Reformed religious society in America that has or shall become extinct shall vest in and become the property of the classis having ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the same, its successors and assigns. This section shall not affect the reversionary interest of any person in such property or any valid lien thereon.

N.J. Stat. § 16:13-15 Extinct church or religious society defined; dissolution; transfer of property

Any Reformed church in America or Reformed religious society in America, in this State, which has ceased or failed to maintain religious worship or services, or to use its property for religious worship or services, according to the tenets, usages and customs of Reformed churches in America in this State, for two consecutive years, or whose membership has so diminished in numbers, or in financial strength as to render it impossible or impracticable for such church or society to maintain religious worship or services, or to protect its property from exposure, waste and dilapidation, or to fulfill the purpose for which it was incorporated, shall be deemed and taken to be extinct, and may be so declared and thereupon dissolved by a civil action brought in the Superior Court. The court may proceed in the action in a summary manner or otherwise. The property of such church or society, or property which may be held in trust for such church or society may be transferred to and the title and possession thereof vested in the particular classis having ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the same. Amended by L.1953, c. 16, p. 145, s. 11, eff. March 19, 1953.

N.J. Stat. § 16:13-16 Action for dissolution

Such an action may be brought by any member or officer of such classis having ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the same, when duly authorized by the classis. If necessary or proper so to do, for any of the causes mentioned in section 16:13-15 of this Title, the court shall declare such church or society extinct, dissolving the same and transferring to and vesting in the classis having such ecclesiastical jurisdiction, any property and the title and possession thereof, which may belong to the church or society, or which may be held in trust for it, in as full and ample a manner as the same shall theretofore have been vested in the consistory or persons or body holding the same in trust for such church, society and congregation. Amended by L.1953, c. 16, p. 146, s. 12.

N.J. Stat. § 16:13-17 § 16:13-17

Such classis may manage, sell or otherwise freely dispose of such property and apply the proceeds of any sale, in such manner as to it may seem best for religious uses and purposes within the territory over which it has ecclesiastical jurisdiction. If such property is sold by the classis, the sale or conveyance shall be as good and effectual as though made by the consistory, 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 church, society and congregation.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026