First Presbyterian Church, the city's oldest Protestant church, has reached a settlement in its controversial decision to leave its former denomination.

In an extended battle with Mission Presbytery, the Presbyterian Church USA's regional representative, the historic church will retain sole use, control and ownership of its name and property, it said in a press release. The church will pay $1.5 million to its former denomination.

VOL REPORTS: So if a Presbyterian church can settle its differences without recourse to lawyers and courts, and where everybody comes out a winner, why can't The Episcopal Church do the same thing? TEC has spent over $40 million going after parish properties and Los Angeles Bishop Jon Bruno has spent some $9 million pursuing two parishes. One is forced to ask who is doing the Christian thing? Who is more obedient to Scripture, the Presbyterian Church or the Episcopal Church?