Last March, George Cadman, diocesan chief legal officer, had served legal notices to the parishes through their lawyer, Bob Kuhn, asking them to "deliver up possession" of the buildings by April 1 or be faced with court proceedings. The diocese has maintained that the church buildings "historically" belong to the Anglican Church of Canada for its ministry in New Westminster.

The congregations said, however, that not only do they hold the title deed to the properties but they also have "beneficial ownership" of them since they had bought, paid for, and maintained the buildings.

"Despite our holding title deed to the property and building, despite our being legally incorporated, despite our 'beneficial ownership' through having bought, paid for, and maintained the building, we have been evicted by a draconian ecclesiastical law (Canon 15), which allows our ex-diocese to allegedly remove our top leadership, replacing them with people that don't even attend our congregation," said Rev. Ed Hird, former rector of the church in a statement.

"It was like walking through the grief of Good Friday, being unjustly mistreated and abused," said Mr. Hird following a decision made during Holy Week by members of his congregation to evacuate the 55-year-old building by May 31, and move subsequent services to Lions Gate Christian Academy, in Maple Wood. "But the miracle is that when we voted in unity to move forward, there was a tremendous sense of joy and freedom released."

The congregation was not prepared for a drawn-out legal battle because of the prohibitive cost, said Mr. Hird. "Our former diocese has very deep pockets. With the B.C. Supreme Court cost being $10,000 a day, we decided that this would not be a good use of our resources," he said. "We would rather focus on telling people about the love of Jesus."

Diocesan bishop Michael Ingham said earlier that Mr. Hird and Mr. Mayo had already "abandoned" their ministry and had formed "privately incorporated societies." The two priests and members of their parishes were among those who walked out of a diocesan synod after it voted to allow same-sex blessings in 2002. They later formed a group called the Anglican Communion in Canada (ACiC).

Summer Sunday services are now scheduled at St. Andrew's and officiants include Rev. Mark Lemon, regional dean for Capilano-Kingcome and Archdeacon Dennis Popple, said Mr. Adams. Rev. Sarah Tweedale, regional dean for North Vancouver, is priest-in-charge of St. Simon's.

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