{"id":"churches-christ-scientist-incorporation-act-1958","name":"Churches of Christ, Scientist Incorporation Act 1958","slug":"churches-of-christ-scientist-incorporation-act-1958","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":178001,"registerId":"vic-churches-christ-scientist-incorporation-act-1958-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Churches of Christ, Scientist Incorporation Act 1958","content":"Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documentsi\nVersion No. 001\nChurches of Christ, Scientist Incorporation\nAct 1958\nAct No. 6439/1958\nVersion as at 13 October 1999\nTABLE OF PROVISIONS\nSection Page\n1. Short title 3\n2. First Church of Christ, Scientist to be incorporated 3\n3. Property of First Church to be vested in corporation 5\n4. Power to other Churches to incorporate 6\n5. As to rights powers etc. of other Churches when incorporated 7\n6. As to vesting of property in Corporation 8\n7. Incorporation of Churches to be formed 8\n8. Conditions referred to in last preceding section 9\n9. As to vesting of property in Churches formed after the\ncommencement of this Act 10\n10. Meetings 10\n__________________\nSCHEDULES 11\nSCHEDULE 1—Tenets of the Mother Church, The First Church of\nChrist, Scientist 11\nSCHEDULE 2 12\n═══════════════\nENDNOTES 13\n1. General Information 13\n2. Table of Amendments 14\n3. Explanatory Details 15\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents1\nVersion No. 001\nChurches of Christ, Scientist Incorporation\nAct 1958\nAct No. 6439/1958\nVersion as at 13 October 1999\nAn Act to incorporate First Church of Christ, Scientist,\nMelbourne and to provide for the Incorporation of other\nChurches of Christ, Scientist, in the State of Victoria and for\nother purposes.\nPreamble\nWHEREAS certain persons being members of the\nreligious body or denomination accepting and\nholding the principles faith and doctrines known as\nChristian Science and in particular adhering to the\ntenets set forth in the First Schedule to this Act and\nacknowledging and adopting the principles of\nchurch organization, discipline, teaching, worship,\nservice, procedure and practice laid down in the\nChurch Manual of The First Church of Christ,\nScientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, in the United\nStates of America and known as The Mother\nChurch, (hereinafter referred to as the said Manual)\nhave formed themselves into a body or association\ncalled First Church of Christ, Scientist, Melbourne:\nAND WHEREAS certain real and personal\nproperty is held by certain trustees upon trust for\nthe said body or association:\nAND WHEREAS other persons being members of\nthe said body or denomination accepting, holding\nand adhering to the said principles faith and\ndoctrines and the said tenets and acknowledging\nand adopting the principles of church organization,\ndiscipline, teaching, worship, service, procedure\nand practice laid down in the said Manual have\nformed themselves into separate bodies or\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6439/1958\nChurches of Christ, Scientist Incorporation Act 1958\n2\nassociations known as Churches of Christ,\nScientist:\nAND WHEREAS certain real and personal\nproperty is held by certain trustees upon trust for\neach of the said bodies or associations\nrespectively:\nAND WHEREAS from time to time other\nassociations or bodies may be formed in other\nplaces in Victoria by persons accepting, holding\nand adhering to the said principles faith and\ndoctrines and the said tenets and acknowledging\nand adopting the principles of church organization,\ndiscipline, teaching, worship, service, procedure\nand practice laid down in the said Manual and may\nacquire real and personal property and have such\nreal and personal property held by trustees in trust\nfor each such body or association respectively:\nAND WHEREAS it is expedient that the said First\nChurch of Christ, Scientist, Melbourne should be\nincorporated as a separate corporation and invested\nwith the powers and authorities hereinafter set\nforth and that provision be made for the\nincorporation of each of the other existing bodies\nor associations and that the real and personal\nproperty of each of the said Churches of Christ,\nScientist and such other existing bodies and\nassociations now vested in such trustees for each of\nsuch bodies and associations respectively should\nbe vested in each of the said separate bodies or\nassociations and that the real and personal property\nof such other and further bodies when formed and\nincorporated should be vested in such other and\nfurther associations when incorporated:\nBE IT THEREFORE ENACTED by the Queen's Most\nExcellent Majesty by and with the advice and consent of the\nLegislative Council and the Legislative Assembly of Victoria\nin this present Parliament assembled and by the authority of\nthe same as follows (that is to say):\nPreamble\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6439/1958\nChurches of Christ, Scientist Incorporation Act 1958\n3\n1. Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the Churches of Christ,\nScientist Incorporation Act 1958.\n2. First Church of Christ, Scientist to be incorporated\n(1) All persons who are members of the said First\nChurch of Christ, Scientist, Melbourne accepting\nand holding the principles faith and doctrines\nknown as Christian Science and adhering to the\ntenets set forth in the First Schedule to this Act\nand acknowledging and adopting the principles of\nchurch organization, discipline, teaching, worship,\nservice, procedure and practice laid down in the\nsaid Manual and who now or hereafter constitute\nthe body or association called First Church of\nChrist, Scientist, Melbourne from henceforth shall\nbe a body corporate by the name of First Church\nof Christ, Scientist, Melbourne and shall have\nperpetual succession and a common seal and\nunder that name may sue and be sued prosecute\nand defend and take and suffer all other\nproceedings in all courts civil and criminal within\nthe said State.\n(2) The said body corporate (hereinafter referred to as\n\"First Church\") may by resolution as hereinafter\nprovided make by-laws and rules to provide for\nthe following—\n(a) the admission, expulsion or re-admission to\nmembership of the said Church;\n(b) the conduct of the officers of the said Church\nand the election and duties of officers;\n(c) the appointment rotation and duties of\nreaders, librarians and Sunday School\nsuperintendents;\n(d) the keeping of accounts and records;\n(e) the appointment of auditors;\ns. 1\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6439/1958\nChurches of Christ, Scientist Incorporation Act 1958\n4\n(f) the convening and conduct of meetings;\n(g) the custody, care and maintenance of church\nproperty;\n(h) the execution and authentication of\ndocuments;\n(i) the authorization of expenditure;\n(j) the recission or amendment of by-laws and\nrules;\n(k) the remuneration of officers and employees.\n(3) Any such by-law or rule or any rescission or\namendment thereof shall be made by a resolution\ncarried at a meeting of the members of the said\nChurch convened as hereinafter provided by the\nmajority so provided.\n(4) It shall be further lawful for the said First Church\nto take purchase receive hold and enjoy real and\npersonal property of any description whatsoever\nand also to sell grant transfer convey exchange\ndemise (whether by way of building lease or\notherwise) give easements over or otherwise\ndispose of either absolutely or by way of\nmortgage charge lien or other encumbrance any of\nthe property real or personal at any time belonging\nto the said First Church provided that if any such\nproperty is subject to any trust the provisions of\nsuch trust shall be carried out by the said First\nChurch in accordance with the trust deed or other\ninstrument creating such trust, and generally to\nexercise subject to the provisions of this Act all\npowers rights and privileges incident to a body\ncorporate.\n(5) The administration of the affairs and the exercise\nof the powers of the said body corporate shall be\nvested in the Executive Board duly appointed\npursuant to the by-laws and rules of the said body\nfor the time being subject to any by-law or\ns. 2\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6439/1958\nChurches of Christ, Scientist Incorporation Act 1958\n5\nresolution of the said body corporate or any\nresolution of the members of the said body\ncorporate carried at a meeting of such members\nconvened as hereinafter provided.\n(6) The said Board shall have the custody and use of\nthe common seal of the said First Church and a\nmajority of the members of such Board present at\nany meeting duly convened shall have power to\nuse or direct the use of such seal for all purposes\nfor which the use of such seal is required.\n(7) The seal shall only be affixed by virtue of a\nresolution of the said majority and in the presence\nof two members of the Board and of the Chairman\nor the Clerk for the time being of the said First\nChurch and the said two members and the\nChairman or Clerk shall sign their names to the\ndocument to which the seal has been affixed.\n3. Property of First Church to be vested in corporation\n(1) The land described in the Second Schedule to this\nAct and all other real and personal property held\nin trust for the said First Church or for its Board or\nfor any committee of the said First Church\nwhether for any special purposes or generally for\nsuch First Church, Board or committee shall from\nand after the coming into operation of this Act\nvest in the said First Church without the necessity\nfor any conveyance transfer or other assurance of\nsuch property.\n(2) Where any property vested in the said First\nChurch under this section consists of property\nregistered under the Transfer of Land Act 1958\nthe Registrar of Titles on application made to him\nin that behalf and proof to his satisfaction of the\nfacts relating thereto and on payment of the\nnecessary fees shall give effect to such vesting by\nregistering the said First Church as proprietor.\ns. 3\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6439/1958\nChurches of Christ, Scientist Incorporation Act 1958\n6\n4. Power to other Churches to incorporate\nIf and when the members for the time being of\nany of the following bodies or associations\naccepting and holding the said principles, faith\nand doctrines and adhering to the said tenets and\nacknowledging and adopting the principles of\nchurch organization, discipline, teaching, worship,\nservice, procedure and practice laid down in the\nsaid Manual called—\nSecond Church of Christ, Scientist,\nMelbourne;\nThird Church of Christ, Scientist,\nMelbourne;\nFourth Church of Christ, Scientist,\nMelbourne;\nFifth Church of Christ, Scientist, Melbourne;\nand\nFirst Church of Christ, Scientist, Geelong—\nrespectively by resolution carried at a meeting of\nsuch body or association convened as hereinafter\nprovided by not less than three-fourths of the\nmembers present at such meeting resolve that it is\nexpedient that such body or association should be\nincorporated under the provisions of this Act then\nupon the filing in the office of the Registrar-\nGeneral of Victoria of—\n(a) a copy of such resolution certified under the\nhand of the Chairman of such meeting and\nthe Clerk of such body or association;\n(b) a copy of the rules of the said body or\nassociation certified as such by the said\nClerk;\n(c) a statement certified by the said Clerk and\nthe Treasurer of such body or association\nsetting forth the real and personal property\ns. 4\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6439/1958\nChurches of Christ, Scientist Incorporation Act 1958\n7\nbelonging to or held in trust for such body or\nassociation or any committee thereof and\ngiving the names of the trustee or trustees\nholding any such property and stating the\nobjects and purposes of each trust or trusts—\nthe said body or association shall become a body\ncorporate by the name of Second Church of\nChrist, Scientist, Melbourne; Third Church of\nChrist, Scientist, Melbourne; Fourth Church of\nChrist, Scientist, Melbourne; Fifth Church of\nChrist, Scientist, Melbourne; First Church of\nChrist, Scientist, Geelong as the case may be, and\nshall have perpetual succession and a common\nseal and under that name may sue and be sued\nprosecute and defend and take and suffer all other\nproceedings in all Courts civil and criminal within\nthe said State.\n5. As to rights powers etc. of other Churches when\nincorporated\nEach such body corporate shall have mutatis\nmutandis the same rights powers privileges and\nduties to those hereinbefore provided in this Act\nin respect of the said First Church including—\n(a) the making rescission or amendment of its\nby-laws or rules;\n(b) the acquisition purchase receiving holding\nand enjoyment of real and personal property\nof any description;\n(c) the sale grant transfer conveyance exchange\ndemise (whether by building lease or\notherwise) the giving of easements over or\notherwise disposing of either absolutely or\nby way of mortgage charge lease or other\nencumbrance any property real or personal\nbelonging to it;\ns. 5\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6439/1958\nChurches of Christ, Scientist Incorporation Act 1958\n8\n(d) the carrying out of the provisions of any\ntrusts;\n(e) the custody and use of its common seal by its\nBoard;\n(f) the exercise of powers rights and privileges\nincident to a body corporate.\n6. As to vesting of property in Corporation\n(1) On and from the filing as aforesaid of the\ndocuments referred to in section four hereof, all\nthe real and personal property belonging to or held\nin trust for the body on whose behalf the\ndocuments were filed shall vest in the said body\ncorporate without the necessity for any\nconveyance transfer or other assurance.\n(2) Where any property vested in any such church\nunder this section consists of land registered under\nthe Transfer of Land Act 1958 the Registrar of\nTitles on application made to him in that behalf\nand proof to his satisfaction of the facts relating\nthereto and on payment of the necessary fees shall\ngive effect to such vesting by registering any such\nChurch as proprietor.\n7. Incorporation of Churches to be formed\nAfter the coming into operation of this Act if and\nwhen any number of persons not less than sixteen\nand including at least four members of The\nMother Church, The First Church of Christ,\nScientist in Boston, Massachusetts, United States\nAmerica accepting and holding the said principles\nfaith and doctrines and adhering to the said tenets\nand acknowledging and adopting the principles of\nchurch organization, discipline, teaching, worship,\nservice, procedure and practice laid down in the\nsaid Manual shall form themselves into a body or\nassociation to be known as a Church of Christ,\nScientist such body or association may subject to\ns. 6\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6439/1958\nChurches of Christ, Scientist Incorporation Act 1958\n9\nthe conditions stated in the next following section\nbecome a corporate body with the same powers\nauthorities and privileges and subject to the same\nduties and liabilities mutatis mutandis as those\nprovided in this Act in respect of the said First\nChurch.\n8. Conditions referred to in last preceding section\nThe conditions referred to in the last preceding\nsection shall be as follows—\n(a) the body or association shall have been in\nexistence for at least six months prior to the\ndate of the resolution hereinafter mentioned;\n(b) the bona fides of such body or association\nshall be certified in writing under the seal of\nThe Mother Church, The First Church of\nChrist, Scientist in Boston, Massachusetts,\nUnited States America;\n(c) a resolution that it is expedient that such\nbody or association should be incorporated\nshall be carried by a vote of three-fourths of\nthe members of such body or association\npresent at a special meeting convened as\nhereinafter provided;\n(d) a copy of the said resolution together with a\ncertificate under the hand of the Chairman of\nthe said meeting stating that the said meeting\nwas duly convened and that the said\nresolution was carried by a vote of at least\nthree-fourths of those present at the said\nmeeting, and a copy of the rules of such\nbody or association shall be filed in the\noffice of the Registrar-General of Victoria\ntogether with the Certificate referred to in\nparagraph (b) of this section;\ns. 8\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6439/1958\nChurches of Christ, Scientist Incorporation Act 1958\n10\n(e) a statement certified by the said Clerk and\nthe Treasurer of such body or association\nsetting forth the real and personal property\nbelonging to or held in trust for such body or\nassociation or any committee thereof and\ngiving the names of the trustee or trustees\nholding any such property and stating the\nobjects and purposes of each trust or trusts.\n9. As to vesting of property in Churches formed after\nthe commencement of this Act\nOn and from the filing as aforesaid of the\ndocuments referred to in section eight of this Act,\nall the real and personal property belonging to or\nheld in trust for the body on whose behalf the\ndocuments were filed shall vest in the said body\ncorporate without the necessity for any\nconveyance transfer or other assurance.\n10. Meetings\nAny meeting required by this Act for the purpose\nof passing a resolution for incorporation of a body\nor association or for the making of any by-law or\nrule or for the amendment or recission of any by-\nlaw or rule shall be convened by notice in writing\nwhich shall be forwarded by post to each member\nof such body at least fourteen days before the date\nfixed in such notice for such meeting. Such notice\nshall set out the terms of the proposed resolution\nand the names of the persons who intend at such\nmeeting to propose and second such resolution.\nAny such resolution shall be carried by a vote of\nthree-fourths of the members present at such\nmeeting.\n__________________\ns. 9\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6439/1958\nChurches of Christ, Scientist Incorporation Act 1958\n11\nSCHEDULES\nFIRST SCHEDULE\nTENETS OF THE MOTHER CHURCH, THE FIRST CHURCH OF\nCHRIST, SCIENTIST\n1. As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our\nsufficient guide to eternal Life.\n2. We acknowledge and adore one supreme and infinite God. We\nacknowledge His Son, one Christ; the Holy Ghost or divine Comforter;\nand man in God's image and likeness.\n3. We acknowledge God's forgiveness of sin in the destruction of sin and the\nspiritual understanding that casts out evil as unreal. But the belief in sin is\npunished so long as the belief lasts.\n4. We acknowledge Jesus' atonement as the evidence of divine, efficacious\nLove, unfolding man's unity with God through Christ Jesus the Way-\nshower: and we acknowledge that man is saved through Christ, through\nTruth, Life and Love as demonstrated by the Galilean Prophet in healing\nthe sick and overcoming sin and death.\n5. We acknowledge that the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection served\nto uplift faith to understand eternal Life, even the allness of Soul, Spirit,\nand the nothingness of matter.\n6. And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us\nwhich was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them\ndo unto us; and to be merciful, just and pure.\nMARY BAKER EDDY\n_______________\nPreamble,\nsection 2.\nSch. 1\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6439/1958\nChurches of Christ, Scientist Incorporation Act 1958\n12\nSECOND SCHEDULE\nALL THAT PIECE OF LAND containing twenty three perches and one tenth\nof a perch more or less being allotment one of Section fifty-nine in the City\nof South Melbourne Parish of South Melbourne County of Bourke as\ndescribed in Crown Grant Vol. 1961 Folio 392,009.\nALL THAT PIECE OF LAND being Allotments One A and One B Section\nFifty-nine City of South Melbourne Parish of Melbourne South County of\nBourke as described in Certificate of Title Vol. 5921 Folio 1,184,020.\n═══════════════\nSection 3.\nSch. 2\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6439/1958\nChurches of Christ, Scientist Incorporation Act 1958\n13\nENDNOTES\n1. General Information\nThe Churches of Christ, Scientist Incorporation Act 1958 was assented to\non 5 November 1958 and came into operation on 5 November 1958.\nEndnotes\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6439/1958\nChurches of Christ, Scientist Incorporation Act 1958\n14\n2. Table of Amendments\nThere are no amendments made to the Churches of Christ, Scientist\nIncorporation Act 1958 by Acts and subordinate instruments.\nEndnotes\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 6439/1958\nChurches of Christ, Scientist Incorporation Act 1958\n15\n3. Explanatory Details\nNo entries at date of publication.\nEndnotes","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act appears to have remained consistent with its original intent since 1958 — to incorporate a specific religious denomination in Victoria. The consolidated version shows no substantive amendments that would suggest scope creep or significant change from the original purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Extremely narrow and single-purpose scope — applies to one specific religious organisation","Short Act with likely minimal operative provisions beyond granting incorporation","No apparent amendments or significant version history suggesting the law has remained static since 1958","Standard incorporation mechanics are well-established in Australian law, reducing interpretive difficulty","No cross-referencing of complex regulatory frameworks required"],"plain_english_summary":"The Act grants the Churches of Christ, Scientist in Victoria legal incorporation so the denomination can own property, enter contracts, and sue or be sued as a single entity rather than exposing individual members to those legal obligations.  \n\nIt matters to church members and leaders and to anyone contracting or transacting with the Church: it provides a stable legal identity for holding assets and conducting business in Victoria."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: incorporating specific Christian Science churches in Victoria and providing a mechanism for future churches of the same denomination to incorporate. The scope has not expanded beyond church incorporation and property vesting."},"complexity_factors":["Straightforward sequential structure with only 10 operative sections","Minimal cross-referencing—primarily internal references to 'the said Manual' and 'the said tenets'","Only 2 defined terms of significance: 'First Church' (defined in s. 2(1)) and 'the said Manual' (defined in preamble)","Simple conditional logic: incorporation triggers upon filing specific documents (ss. 4, 8)","Repetitive drafting style using 'mutatis mutandis' (a Latin term meaning 'with necessary changes') to apply First Church provisions to other churches rather than rewriting them","No exceptions to exceptions or deeply nested conditions","Single schedule of substantive content (Tenets) plus one schedule of land descriptions"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a Victorian law from 1958 that creates a special legal structure for Christian Science churches in Victoria.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Automatically incorporates** the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Melbourne as a legal entity (a \"body corporate\"), meaning it can own property, sign contracts, and sue or be sued in its own name.\n- **Allows other existing churches** (Second through Fifth Churches in Melbourne, and the First Church in Geelong) to become incorporated if their members vote for it by a three-quarters majority.\n- **Sets up a process** for new Christian Science churches to incorporate in the future, provided they meet certain conditions including having at least 16 members (including 4 members of the Boston \"Mother Church\") and getting certification from the Boston headquarters.\n\n**Key features:**\n- **Property transfer:** When a church incorporates, all its property automatically transfers from the trustees who previously held it to the church itself—no complicated legal documents needed.\n- **Powers:** Incorporated churches can make their own rules (by-laws), manage their own affairs through an Executive Board, buy and sell property, and use a common seal (an official stamp) for legal documents.\n- **Religious requirements:** All churches must follow the \"tenets\" (core beliefs) listed in the Act and adhere to the Church Manual from the Boston Mother Church.\n\n**Who it affects:**\nMembers of Christian Science churches in Victoria, specifically those affiliated with the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, Massachusetts.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nBefore this Act, church property had to be held by individual trustees, which created legal complications when trustees died or moved away. This law lets the churches themselves own property permanently, making it easier to manage churches, conduct business, and protect assets over time."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act's scope remains as enacted: it incorporates the First Church, provides for incorporation of specified existing churches and future churches under stated conditions, and vests trust property in those corporations. The endnotes record no amendments to this Act, so its substantive scope and mechanisms have not been altered since enactment."},"complexity_factors":["Automatic vesting of trust-held property in the corporate body without conveyance (s.3(1); s.6(1); s.9) — reduces transactional steps but requires proof for title registration (s.3(2); s.6(2)).","Prescribed incorporation procedure for existing named churches requiring certified resolutions, rules and statements of trustees and trusts to be filed (s.4(a)–(c); s.6(1)).","High membership and voting thresholds for incorporation and by-law changes (three‑quarters of members present) and meeting notice rules (s.4; s.8(c); s.10).","Conditions for new churches: minimum membership (16), at least four Mother Church members, six‑month existence and written certification by the Mother Church (s.7; s.8(a)–(b)).","Governance formalities: by-law scope, Executive Board custody of seal, seal affixation and signing requirements, and board authority subject to member resolutions (s.2(2)–(7); s.5(e)).","Interaction with existing trusts — corporate powers are subject to carrying out prior trust instruments (s.2(4); s.5(d)), creating potential evidentiary and compliance tasks.","Registrar of Titles involvement for registered land requires application and proof to Registrar’s satisfaction and fee payment (s.3(2); s.6(2)).","Inclusion of a doctrinal schedule (First Schedule) and specified land (Second Schedule) ties corporate identity and vested assets to particular texts and parcels, limiting portability."],"plain_english_summary":"This Act incorporates the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Melbourne, vests its trust-held land and personal property in the corporation without conveyance, and provides procedures for other named and future Churches of Christ, Scientist to incorporate by filing required resolutions, rules and property statements. It authorises by-laws, an executive board, meeting rules and use of a common seal.\n\nIt affects church members and trustees because vesting, membership thresholds, 3/4 voting and Mother Church certification determine control of property and governance; compliance and registration duties fall to the churches."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/churches-of-christ-scientist-incorporation-act-1958","history":"/api/acts/churches-of-christ-scientist-incorporation-act-1958/history","analysis":"/api/acts/churches-of-christ-scientist-incorporation-act-1958/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/churches-of-christ-scientist-incorporation-act-1958/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/churches-of-christ-scientist-incorporation-act-1958/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/churches-of-christ-scientist-incorporation-act-1958/documents"}}