Wisconsin Legislative Council
ACT MEMO
One Ea st Ma in Stre e t, Suite 401 • Ma dison, W I 53703 • (608) 266-1304 • le g.council@le gis.wisconsin.gov • http://www.le gis.wisconsin.gov/lc
Prepared by: Audrey Kratz, Legal Intern, and Melissa Schmidt, Principal Attorney April 10, 2024
2023 Wisconsin Act 252
[2023 Senate Bill 687]
Property of the Church of Christ
and the Christian Church
BACKGROUND
Wisconsin law allows for the members of any church or society of any religious sect or denomination to
organize a corporation for religious, charitable, or educational purposes. Such a corporation may
receive, purchase, and hold real and personal property for the purposes of its incorporation. The secular
business affairs of such corporations must be managed and administered by the corporation’s board of
trustees.
State law specifies what happens to the property of a local religious society (or church) of the
denomination known as the Church of Christ or the Christian Church becomes defunct or is dissolved.
Prior law provided that if any local religious society that is part of this denomination, which accepts the
Wisconsin Christian Missionary Association as its missionary organization, became defunct or
was dissolved, the property of this local religious society would be vested in the Wisconsin Christian
Missionary Association. If the local religious society reincorporated, however, within three years from
the date it became defunct or dissolved, then the property at the time of dissolution vested in this new
corporation.
A few years ago, the Wisconsin Christian Missionary Association merged with Crossroads College. The
surviving entity was named Crossroads College. As a result, the Wisconsin Christian Missionary
Association no longer exists.
2023 WISCONSIN ACT 252
2023 Wisconsin Act 252 changes the accepted missionary organization of the denomination known as
the Church of Christ or the Christian Church. Under the act, the accepted missionary organization of
this demonization is Crossroads College, or any predecessor or successor organization of
Crossroads College. Similarly, under the act, if a local religious society of this denomination becomes
defunct or is dissolved, the property of the local religious society vests in Crossroads College, or any
successor of Crossroads College. If the local religious society reincorporates within three years from the
date when it became defunct or dissolved, the property vests with the new corporation.
Effective date: March 31, 2024
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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