Like the Roman Catholic Church, the acquisition and disposal of property in the Church of England is governed by both internal and state-made law. However, many rules created by the Church of England and contained in synodical measures operate instead of or in addition to rules of civil law. This chapter examines the powers of institutions and persons, those ecclesiastical corporations capable of ownership of property in the Church of England, to acquire and dispose of property, and the structures which exist to control the exercise of these powers. Two particular themes are pursued: the...

Like the Roman Catholic Church, the acquisition and disposal of property in the Church of England is governed by both internal and state-made law. However, many rules created by the Church of England and contained in synodical measures operate instead of or in addition to rules of civil law. This chapter examines the powers of institutions and persons, those ecclesiastical corporations capable of ownership of property in the Church of England, to acquire and dispose of property, and the structures which exist to control the exercise of these powers. Two particular themes are pursued: the centrality of episcopal oversight and the rights of the wider church to participate in decisions concerning acquisition and disposal of property. The chapter concentrates mainly on realty but concludes with a short section on ecclesiastical chattels. In addition to real property, the chapter deals with the acquisition and disposal of cathedral property, consecrated land, parsonage property, diocesan and parochial trust property, glebe property, and movables.