Heated hearing on repeal of Methodist trust clause draws hundreds of congregants

Supporters of House Bill 11‑82, which would repeal the Maryland statute implementing the United Methodist Church trust clause, gave heartfelt testimony on Feb. 25 asking the General Assembly to let congregations keep property they say they built and maintained for generations.

Delegate Mark Fisher, the bill sponsor, said the statutory provision gives a single denomination special protection in state law that can be applied to deny local congregations the ability to disaffiliate while retaining property they funded. Witnesses from small, often rural congregations described fundraising traditions—bake sales, dinners and "making the biscuits"—and said local members paid mortgages, maintained cemeteries and paid pastors. Several speakers said conference leadership had demanded steep payments or…