The judge overseeing the dispute between the Diocese of Colorado and former members of Grace and St. Stephen’s Church, Colorado Springs, has granted the dissident congregation additional time before it must relinquish control of church assets. But the change will not interfere with plans by the Episcopal congregation to hold Palm Sunday services in its historic Gothic building.
 
The initial “writ of restitution” by Judge Larry Schwartz of the El Paso County District Court required the dissident congregation, which is now affiliated with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA), until April 1 to leave. At a hearing in court earlier today, Judge Schwartz gave the CANA congregation until April 3 to return the church building to the diocese. The judge also gave the Rev. Don Armstrong, former rector of Grace and St. Stephen’s, continued use of the church rectory until May 8.
 
Judge Schwartz asked lawyers for both sides to agree on the appointment of a receiver, who would oversee and manage the transition of property between the parishes, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette. If the two cannot agree by 9 a.m. March 26, the court will appoint a receiver.
 
“If we act like adults, this can all be resolved,” Judge Schwartz said as reported by the Gazette.
 
The trial, which began Feb. 10 and lasted four-and-a-half weeks, was the longest church case in Colorado legal history, according to the Gazette. In 2007, a congregational vote was held and a majority voted to disaffiliate from the diocese and The Episcopal Church. Under terms of the judgment, the CANA congregation must return all property, including the website domain. The CANA congregation also is prohibited from further use of the name Grace and St. Stephen’s Church.
 
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