Many denominations have long had rules that prevent dissenting congregations from leaving the parent church and taking their land, buildings and other property with them. Since 1979, the U.S. Supreme Court and numerous other courts have upheld those rules in all but a few exceptional circumstances.

The House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church recently said issued a statement of 'regret' that the decision had caused pain in the Communion.

The prayer vigil was lead by Bill Boniface, a layman from St. Thomas in Croom, Maryland. "We gather here this morning with a deep concern for the direction of the Episcopal Church," the group of 14 lay people and one priest, Fr. Ted Lewis, read in unison.

That decision will be put to a vote by the membership at its 2005 synod in Iqaluit this May.

Lay people, priests and bishops at the meeting will also be asked to decide whether to make affirmation of the Montreal Declaration mandatory for future employees.

The Montreal Declaration - written by conservative church members who met in Montreal in 1994 - was designed to affirm the "essential beliefs" of the Anglican Church.

"We couldn't find a way to stay and hold our conviction," Gornik said.

Controversy has rocked the Episcopal Church since 2003, when Lexington native Gene Robinson, an openly gay priest, was appointed bishop of New Hampshire.

But for Gornik, Robinson's ordination was simply the culmination of a change that he said has occurred over decades.