A third lawsuit has been filed involving Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church, whose members voted 207-26 last year to leave the Presbyterian Church (USA) for the more theologically conservative Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

On Monday the minority, who Washington Presbytery has declared the "true church," sued the majority, asking the Washington County Common Pleas Court to remove the officers of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and return all property to control of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Last year the majority sued Washington Presbytery, the local governing body of the Presbyterian Church (USA), for the right to keep all property. Last month Washington Presbytery sued the pastor and treasurer of the Evangelical Presbyterian congregation for the return of all property.

Members of the minority congregation -- who worship in the Venetia Heritage Society building in Peters -- had tried to join the first suit on the side of the presbytery, but Common Pleas Judge Paul Pozonsky denied their petition. When this suit was filed, they sent a letter to members of the majority, saying the suit was the only way they could have a voice.

Their suit argues that the vote to secede violated the laws of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and that the majority's possession of the property therefore violates a Pennsylvania law that says church property must be governed according to church law. It asks the court to nullify the secession vote and to remove the officers of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church so elections can be held under the rules of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Andrea Geraghty, attorney for the majority, had not seen the suit but thought it as unlikely to succeed as the earlier attempt to join the first suit.

Ann Rodgers can be reached at arodgers@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1416.