Chapter 4: General Church Property

A. Incorporation

4900. The General Conference shall cause a corporation to be formed and maintained under the name of The Wesleyan Church Corporation, through which it shall acquire, sell, manage, encumber, transfer, and otherwise dispose of General Church property (4200–4260; 1590:5).

B. Ownership

4920. All grants, conveyances, devises, gifts, transfers, and assignments now owned or hereafter made of any property, real, personal, or mixed, to or for The Wesleyan Church, or any general office, department, institution, agency, or organization connected thereto, with the exception of those that are separately incorporated (1590:6; 4300), shall be held by and/or conveyed to The Wesleyan Church Corporation in its corporate name, for the use and benefit of the members and ministers of The Wesleyan Church, subject to its Discipline, regulations, and appointments as from time to time legislated and declared (4570).

C. Suggested Forms for Bequests and Devises

4940. The General Superintendent’s office is available for special advice and instruction for those who desire to make wills, donations, or bequests to The Wesleyan Church or any of its various ministries (475).

(1) Form for Bequests of Money or Personal Property.

I give, devise, and bequeath to The Wesleyan Church Corporation, a corporation created and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the state of Indiana, the sum of ____________ dollars, (or if personal property, notes, bonds, etc., describe the same); to be used and appropriated by that body to religious, benevolent, missionary or educational purposes (or, if desired, state the specific purpose); and the receipt of the treasurer of the said corporation shall be a full and sufficient discharge of my executor for the same.

(2) Form for a Devise of Land.

I give, devise, and bequeath to The Wesleyan Church Corporation, a corporation created and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the state of Indiana, the following described lands and premises, viz: (full description of land); to have and to hold the same with the privilege or appurtenances unto said corporation (state a specific purpose if desired), its successors and assigns forever; and the receipt of the treasurer of said corporation shall be a full and sufficient discharge of my executor for the same.

(3) Form for a Devise of Residuary Estate or Any Part Thereof.

I give, devise, and bequeath to The Wesleyan Church Corporation, a corporation created and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the state of Indiana, all (or some specific part of) the rest, residue, or remainder of my estate, real or personal to said corporation (state specific purpose if desired), its successors and assigns forever; and the receipt of the treasurer of said corporation shall be a full and sufficient discharge of my executor for the same.

(4) Suggested forms for other types of donations and delayed gift giving are available from the General Superintendent’s office.