He also testified that TEC was formed by dioceses, including the Diocese of South Carolina, and that it did not form those dioceses. He said there was no evidence in its formation in 1789 or today that it controlled the dioceses that are in union with it. He also testified that nothing associated with TEC’s formation suggests that dioceses that formed it could not leave it as voluntarily as they joined it. “History shows that authority flows from bottom up,” Guelzo said.

“This Court should grant review to resolve the deep division among the state courts regarding the scope of its holding in Jones v. Wolf (1979)... to restore the First Amendment right of churches and their members to establish hierarchical polities, and to protect valuable church property from dissident members through appropriate trust provisions that reflect their hierarchical organization,” according to brief.

More importantly, Phillips heads up 15 additional parishes with the extension of the eastern boundaries of Rupert's Land to include Pinawa, Lac du Bonnet and Fort Alexander at Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba. The remaining 12 are located in northwestern Ontario, including Kenora, Rainy River and Sioux Lookout.

Dr Edgar’s study of historic documents pertaining to the Diocese of South Carolina was to be used to support its subordinate role to the national church. Judge Goodstein reiterated to both parties that South Carolina is a “neutral” principle state and will only consider how this relates property law.