9-10 EDWARD VII.

CHAP. 86.

An Act to incorporate the Congregational Union of Canada.

[Assented to 17th March, 1910.]

WHEREAS the voluntary association known as "The Congregational Union of Canada" has by its petition represented that it is the General Assembly of the representatives of the Congregational denomination of the Dominion of Canada, and is desirous of being incorporated; and whereas it is expedient to grant the prayer of the said petition: Therefore His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:--

1. The members of the voluntary association mentioned in the preamble, together with all persons who hereafter become members of the corporation hereby created, are hereby incorporated under the name of "The Congregational Union of Canada," hereinafter called "the Union."

2. The objects of the Union shall be-- (a) to promote, throughout Canada and elsewhere, evangelical religion in connection with the Congregational denomination; (b) to cultivate co-operation in everything relating to the interests of that denomination; (c) to establish, throughout Canada and elsewhere, correspondence with the churches of that denomination and with similar bodies within and outside Canada; (d) to obtain accurate statistical information concerning religious matters, especially those concerning the Congregational denomination; (e) to hold consultations and meetings on all matters of and connected with the cause of religion; (f) to receive, invest and administer such property, real or personal, as may at any time be lawfully given or entrusted to the Union;

3. The head office of the Union shall be at the city of Toronto, in the province of Ontario, but may be changed by the Union from time to time to any other place in Canada; and branch offices may be established and meetings of the Union and of the Executive Committee and of other committees or boards may be held wherever in Canada the Executive Committee or the other committees or boards may from time to time determine.

4. The Union shall have power, for the objects aforesaid,-- (a) to acquire by purchase, lease, deed or trust, or otherwise take, receive and hold grants, devises, bequests and gifts of real and personal property, for any estate or interest therein, either absolutely or in trust; and to use, sell and dispose thereof; and to invest, change, and reinvest, and to apply the proceeds and revenue of such property for the purposes for which the Union is incorporated by this Act: Provided, however, that the annual value of the real property held by or in trust for the Union shall not at any time exceed the sum of one hundred thousand dollars in any one province of Canada, and shall not exceed in the whole five hundred thousand dollars: and provided that the Union shall, within ten years after the acquisition of any real property, or of any estate or interest therein, sell or otherwise dispose of so much thereof as is not required for the use, occupation or other like purposes of the Union: Provided, also, that the exercise of the powers above mentioned shall be subject to the laws respecting the acquisition and holding of real property by religious corporations in force at the time in the province of Canada in which such real estate is situate, so far as such laws apply to the Union; (b) to borrow money for the purposes of the Union upon the property of the Union, and to grant all ordinary and necessary securities and mortgages for its loans; (c) to establish a constitution and by-laws, and to alter them from time to time; (d) to appoint and revoke all agents, officers and trustees it may deem proper; (e) to receive into the Union, or to affiliate, or to amalgamate with, all such associations having religious or charitable objects as it deems proper, and to provide for the administration of their business and property; and all such associations are hereby empowered to become united, affiliated or amalgamated with the Union; (f) to establish and contribute to such missions, churches, branches, offices, colleges, schools, agencies, societies, publications, and other institutions as it may deem advisable.

5. The affairs of the Union shall be managed by a general board called the Executive Committee, elected as the Union may determine from time to time; and all officers and committees of the existing voluntary association shall remain in office until they are replaced under the provisions of this Act.

6. The Union shall recognize the complete autonomy of the local churches, and shall have no power to assume, in relation to them, any legislative or administrative authority whatever, or to become a court of appeal, except at the request of a church or churches.

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OTTAWA: Printed by CHARLES HENRY PARMELEE, Law Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty.