Anglican group starts to move out of Grace church

Members of an Anglican parish that recently lost its bid to stay at Grace Church on North Tejon Street started moving out Monday, moments after a judge approved the choice of an overseer to supervise the handoff to Grace and St. Stephen's Episcopal parish.

"Lots of good people are with us today as we move," said Marge Goss, a 77-year-old member of St. George's Anglican Church. "It's really been wonderful."

Fourth Judicial District Court Judge Larry Schwartz appointed Colorado Springs attorney David C. Mize to oversee the transition. Mize, who specializes in arbitration and mediation, said he accepted the role, in part, because he felt a smooth changeover would be good for the religious community.

A week ago, Schwartz ordered the Anglican parish to vacate the church property by Friday. His order capped a 4½-week trial to decide which entity owned the church and other property: the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado or the Anglican parish, which had broken from the Episcopal Church in 2007 but continued to worship at the landmark stone building at 631 N. Tejon St.

Just hours after he issued his ruling, however, there was a dustup over when the Episcopal church could take possession, so the next day, Schwartz called for the appointment of an overseer and allowed Grace and St. Stephen's Episcopal to hire a security team to guard against theft of church property.

Both sides agreed to have Mize serve as overseer.

"Mize is decisive and fair," said Gregory Walta,, attorney for the Anglican parish. "You can't ask for much more."

Mize's official title in the Grace transition is "special master," a position defined by statute that gives him tremendous control in decision-making.

He'll remain special master until Schwartz says otherwise.

His appointment set the stage for Monday's move-out by St. George's.

As its members carried belongings out of the church, a security team photographed most of the large items.

Edwin Montgomery, a vestry member of St. George's who had worshipped at Grace Church since 1992, had mixed emotions as he carried boxes out to his car.

"It's sad, but it's a new beginning," Montgomery said. "I don't agree with the court's decision, but I will abide by it."

St. George's will begin worshipping on Palm Sunday at 2760 Fieldstone Road, in the Mountain Shadows area.

Grace and St. Stephen's Episcopal, which has been worshipping at First Christian Church downtown, expects to be back in the Tejon Street property by 5 p.m. Friday and to hold services on Palm Sunday.

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