Statute · New York Religious Corporations Law
N.Y. Relig. Corp. Law § 485 — Church governance
N.Y. Relig. Corp. Law § 485
- Type
- Statute
- Source
- New York Religious Corporations Law
- Jurisdiction
- New York
- Current through
- Nov 5, 2026 (NY Senate Open Legislation)
§ 485. Church governance. 1. A church incorporated under this section shall provide in its certificate of incorporation or by-laws for trustees to be elected or appointed at large, or by virtue of their office. There shall be a minimum of three trustees. To the extent practicable, terms of…
Citator
N.Y. Relig. Corp. Law § 485 — Church governance is in force in the current edition of the Code, and nothing recorded condemns it.
§ 485. Church governance. 1. A church incorporated under this section shall provide in its certificate of incorporation or by-laws for trustees to be elected or appointed at large, or by virtue of their office. There shall be a minimum of three trustees. To the extent practicable, terms of office shall be for three years and staggered. Terms may be consecutive.
2. Provision shall also be made in its certificate of incorporation or by-laws for officers of the corporation to be elected or appointed at large or by virtue of their office. The president and secretary shall not be the same person. To the extent practicable, terms of office shall be for three years and staggered. Terms may be consecutive.
3. Provision shall also be made in its certificate of incorporation or by-laws for spiritual oversight of the church by an eldership board or a senior imam, moulvi, maulana or some combination of the above. Terms of office may be definite or indefinite as the by-laws may specify.
4. Provision shall also be made in its certificate of incorporation or by-laws for periodic affirmation of appointive positions by a designated body or board.