{"id":"nsw:act-1962-021","name":"Churches of Christ, Scientist, Incorporation Act 1962","slug":"churches-of-christ-scientist-incorporation-act-1962","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"21 of 1962","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":111109,"registerId":"nsw-act-1962-021-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Act and commencement","content":"#### 1 Name of Act and commencement\n\n1 Name of Act and commencement\n\n> > (1) This Act may be cited as the [Churches of Christ, Scientist, Incorporation Act 1962](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1962-021).\n> \n> > (2) This Act shall commence upon a day to be appointed by the Governor and notified by proclamation published in the Gazette.","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Incorporation, powers and administration of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney","content":"#### 2 Incorporation, powers and administration of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney\n\n2 Incorporation, powers and administration of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney\n\n> > (1) All persons who are members of the said First Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney accepting and holding the principles, faith and doctrines known as Christian Science and adhering to the tenets set forth in the Schedule and acknowledging and adopting the principles of church organisation, discipline, teaching, worship, service, procedure and practice laid down in the Manual and who for the time being constitute the body or association called First Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney shall be a body corporate by the name of “First Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney” and shall have perpetual succession and a common seal and under that name may sue and be sued, prosecute and defend and take and suffer all other proceedings in all courts civil and criminal.\n> \n> > (2) The said body corporate (hereinafter referred to as First Church) may by resolution as provided in section 10 make by-laws and rules not inconsistent with this Act to provide for the following:\n> > \n> > > (a) the admission to, expulsion from or re-admission to membership,\n> > \n> > > (b) the conduct of the officers and the election and duties of officers,\n> > \n> > > (c) the appointment, rotation and duties of readers, librarians and Sunday School superintendents,\n> > \n> > > (d) the keeping of accounts and records,\n> > \n> > > (e) the appointment of auditors,\n> > \n> > > (f) the convening and conduct of meetings,\n> > \n> > > (g) the custody, care and maintenance of property,\n> > \n> > > (h) the execution and authentication of documents,\n> > \n> > > (i) the authorisation of expenditure,\n> > \n> > > (j) the rescission or amendment of by-laws and rules,\n> > \n> > > (k) the remuneration of officers and employees,\n> > \n> > of or by such body corporate.\n> \n> > (3) Any such by-law or rule or any rescission or amendment thereof shall be made by a resolution carried at a meeting of the members of First Church convened as provided in section 10 by the majority provided in that section.\n> \n> > (4) It shall be further lawful for First Church to take, purchase, receive, hold and enjoy real and personal property of any description whatsoever and also to sell, grant, transfer, exchange, demise (whether by way of building lease or otherwise), give easements over or otherwise dispose of either absolutely or by way of mortgage, charge, lien or other encumbrance any of the property real or personal at any time belonging to First Church provided that if any such property is subject to any trust the provisions of such trust shall be carried out by First Church in accordance with the trust deed or other instrument creating such trust, and generally to exercise, subject to the provisions of this Act, all powers, rights and privileges incident to a body corporate.\n> \n> > (5) The administration of the affairs and the exercise of the powers of First Church shall be vested in the Executive Board duly appointed pursuant to the by-laws and rules of First Church for the time being subject to any by-law, rule or resolution of First Church or any resolution of the members of First Church carried at a meeting of such members convened as provided in section 10.\n> \n> > (6) The said Executive Board shall have the custody and use of the common seal of First Church and a majority of the members of such Executive Board present at any meeting duly convened shall have power to use or direct the use of such seal for all purposes for which the use of such seal is required.\n> \n> > (7) The seal shall only be affixed by virtue of a resolution of the said majority and in the presence of two members of the said Executive Board and of the chairman or the clerk for the time being of the said Executive Board and the said two members and the chairman or clerk shall sign their names to the document to which the seal has been affixed.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Property of First Church vested in corporation","content":"#### 3 Property of First Church vested in corporation\n\n3 Property of First Church vested in corporation\n\n> All real and personal property belonging to or held in trust for First Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney, as constituted immediately before the commencement of this Act, or for its Executive Board or for any committee of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney, as so constituted, whether for any special purposes or generally for First Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney, as so constituted, or its Executive Board or any such committee, is hereby vested in First Church without the necessity for any conveyance, transfer or other assurance of such property, but such vesting shall not affect any trust, encumbrance, charge, lien, easement, estate or interest to which such property was subject immediately before such commencement.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Power of other churches to incorporate","content":"#### 4 Power of other churches to incorporate\n\n4 Power of other churches to incorporate\n\n> If and when the members for the time being of any of the following bodies or associations accepting and holding the said principles, faith and doctrines and adhering to the said tenets and acknowledging and adopting the principles of church organisation, discipline, teaching, worship, service, procedure and practice laid down in the Manual and called:\n> \n> > Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney,\n> \n> > Third Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney,\n> \n> > Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney,\n> \n> > Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney,\n> \n> > Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney,\n> \n> > Seventh Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney,\n> \n> > First Church of Christ, Scientist, Hornsby,\n> \n> > First Church of Christ, Scientist, Parramatta,\n> \n> > First Church of Christ, Scientist, Ryde,\n> \n> > First Church of Christ, Scientist, Rose Bay,\n> \n> > First Church of Christ, Scientist, Newcastle,\n> \n> > First Church of Christ, Scientist, Wollongong,\n> \n> respectively, by resolution carried at a meeting of such body or association convened as provided in section 10, resolve that it is expedient that such body or association should be incorporated under the provisions of this Act then as on and from the filing in the office of the Registrar-General in the manner prescribed by regulations made under the [Conveyancing Act 1919](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1919-006), as amended by subsequent Acts, of:\n> \n> > (a) a copy of such resolution certified under the hand of the chairman of such meeting and the clerk of such body or association, and\n> \n> > (b) a copy of the rules of the said body or association certified as such by the said clerk,\n> \n> the said body or association shall become a body corporate by the name of “Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney”, “Third Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney”, “Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney”, “Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney”, “Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney”, “Seventh Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney”, “First Church of Christ, Scientist, Hornsby”, “First Church of Christ, Scientist, Parramatta”, “First Church of Christ, Scientist, Ryde”, “First Church of Christ, Scientist, Rose Bay”, “First Church of Christ, Scientist, Newcastle”, “First Church of Christ, Scientist, Wollongong”, as the case may be, and shall have perpetual succession and a common seal and under that name may sue and be sued, prosecute and defend and take and suffer all other proceedings in all courts civil and criminal.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Rights, powers etc of other churches when incorporated","content":"#### 5 Rights, powers etc of other churches when incorporated\n\n5 Rights, powers etc of other churches when incorporated\n\n> Each body corporate referred to in section 4 shall have mutatis mutandis the same rights, powers, privileges, duties and liabilities as those provided in this Act in respect of First Church.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Vesting of property of existing churches other than First Church","content":"#### 6 Vesting of property of existing churches other than First Church\n\n6 Vesting of property of existing churches other than First Church\n\n> On and from the date of incorporation of each body corporate referred to in section 4 all real and personal property belonging to or held in trust for the body or association on whose behalf the documents referred to in that section were filed or for its Executive Board or for any committee of such body or association whether for any special purposes or generally for such body or association or its Executive Board or any such committee, shall vest in the said body corporate without the necessity for any conveyance, transfer or other assurance, but such vesting shall not affect any trust, encumbrance, charge, lien, easement, estate or interest to which such property was subject immediately before such vesting.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Incorporation of churches to be formed","content":"#### 7 Incorporation of churches to be formed\n\n7 Incorporation of churches to be formed\n\n> If and when any number of persons not less than sixteen and including at least four members of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States of America, accepting and holding the said principles, faith and doctrines and adhering to the said tenets and acknowledging and adopting the principles of church organisation, discipline, teaching, worship, service, procedure and practice laid down in the Manual shall form themselves into a body or association to be known as a Church of Christ, Scientist, such body or association may subject to the conditions stated in section 8 become a body corporate and shall have mutatis mutandis the same rights, powers, privileges, duties and liabilities as those provided in this Act in respect of First Church.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Conditions of incorporation","content":"#### 8 Conditions of incorporation\n\n8 Conditions of incorporation\n\n> The conditions referred to in section 7 shall be as follows:\n> \n> > (a) the body or association shall have been in existence for at least six months prior to the date of the resolution mentioned in paragraph (c),\n> \n> > (b) the bona fides of such body or association shall be certified in writing under the seal of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States of America,\n> \n> > (c) a resolution that it is expedient that such body or association should be incorporated shall be carried at a meeting of such body or association convened as provided in section 10, and\n> \n> > (d) a copy of the said resolution together with a certificate under the hand of the chairman of the said meeting stating that the said meeting was duly convened and that the said resolution was carried by a vote of at least three-fourths of those present at the said meeting, a copy of the rules of such body or association and the certificate referred to in paragraph (b) shall be filed in the office of the Registrar-General in the manner prescribed by regulations made under the [Conveyancing Act 1919](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1919-006), as amended by subsequent Acts.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Vesting of property in churches formed after the commencement of this Act","content":"#### 9 Vesting of property in churches formed after the commencement of this Act\n\n9 Vesting of property in churches formed after the commencement of this Act\n\n> On and from the filing in the office of the Registrar-General of the documents referred to in paragraph (d) of section 8, all real and personal property belonging to or held in trust for the body or association on whose behalf such documents were filed or for its Executive Board or for any committee of such body or association whether for any special purposes or generally for such body or association or its Executive Board or any such committee, shall vest in the body corporate incorporated by virtue of section 7 without the necessity for any conveyance, transfer or other assurance, but such vesting shall not affect any trust, encumbrance, charge, lien, easement, estate or interest to which such property was subject immediately before such vesting.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Meetings","content":"#### 10 Meetings\n\n10 Meetings\n\n> Any meeting required by this Act for the purpose of passing a resolution for incorporation of a body or association or for the making of any by-law or rule or for the amendment or rescission of any by-law or rule shall be convened by notice in writing which shall be forwarded by post to each member of such body or association or body corporate, as the case may be, at least fourteen days before the date fixed in such notice for such meeting. Such notice shall set out the terms of the proposed resolution and the names of the persons who intend at such meeting to propose and second such resolution. Any such resolution in order to have force and effect shall be carried by a vote of three-fourths of the members present at such meeting.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"sch","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Tenets of the Mother Church, the First Church of Christ, Scientist","content":"# sch Tenets of the Mother Church, the First Church of Christ, Scientist\n\nSchedule Tenets of the Mother Church, the First Church of Christ, Scientist\n\n(Section 2)\n\nMARY BAKER EDDY","sortOrder":10}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act adheres to its original narrow scope: it incorporates the First Church and provides mechanisms for specified or qualifying Churches to incorporate and for their property to vest in the corporate body. It does not expand coverage beyond churches meeting the statutory conditions or alter trust/encumbrance protections (ss.2–9)."},"complexity_factors":["Automatic vesting of property without conveyance creates legal-technical effects on title and trusts (ss.3,6,9).","Multiple incorporation routes: pre-named churches by filing, newly formed churches subject to conditions (ss.4,7,8).","External certification requirement from The Mother Church for new incorporations adds an extra verification step (s.8(b)).","Filing formalities are governed by regulations under the Conveyancing Act, linking to external procedural rules (ss.4,8).","Governance and quorum rules require supermajority member votes for by-laws and incorporation (three‑quarters) and notice procedures (s.10; s.2(3)).","Preservation of existing trusts, encumbrances and interests limits the practical reach of vesting (ss.3,6,9).","Common seal and execution formalities impose specific officer-level steps for valid documents (s.2(6)–(7))."],"plain_english_summary":"This Act gives the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney a corporate legal identity and permits specified or qualifying local Churches to incorporate; it automatically vests their existing real and personal property in the corporate body without separate conveyance (ss.2–4,3,6,9). Governance is by member resolutions (three‑quarters) and an Executive Board, and the churches themselves meet the administrative and compliance costs of incorporation, filing and corporate administration (ss.10,2,4,8)."},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available information, the legislation appears to have remained focused on its original narrow purpose: providing legal incorporation to Churches of Christ, Scientist in NSW. The absence of any amendments since 1979 (and the original 1962 enactment) strongly suggests the scope has not materially changed from its original intent."},"complexity_factors":["Extremely narrow and specific subject matter — applies to one religious denomination only","Very little substantive content is visible in the provided text (only metadata and status information, no actual operative provisions)","Legislation has not been updated since 1979, suggesting minimal ongoing complexity","Standard incorporation-type legislation follows well-established legal patterns","No visible cross-references to complex regulatory frameworks"],"plain_english_summary":"The Act grants legal incorporation to Churches of Christ, Scientist in New South Wales, making each church a separate legal entity able to own property, enter contracts, and sue or be sued. It chiefly affects members, administrators and anyone dealing with these churches, by enabling organisational operations and protecting individuals from personal liability for the church’s debts or obligations."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act remains tightly focused on its original purpose: providing a corporate structure for Christian Science churches in NSW. It covers the First Church automatically, lists 12 specific other churches eligible for optional incorporation, and provides a mechanism for future churches. There is no evidence of scope creep; the legislation has not expanded to cover other denominations, commercial activities, or regulatory functions beyond church incorporation and property management."},"complexity_factors":["Straightforward sequential structure with only 10 operative sections plus a Schedule","Minimal cross-referencing—primarily internal references to sections 7, 8, and 10","Single defined term of note: 'Manual' (implied reference to Mary Baker Eddy's Church Manual, not explicitly defined in the Act but central to operation)","Repetitive vesting formula used in sections 3, 6, and 9 with only minor variations","Simple conditional logic: 'if and when' triggers for incorporation of additional churches (sections 4, 7)","No nested exceptions or complex provisos—section 4(4) contains a standard trust-saving provision that is easy to follow","Procedural requirements are explicit and mechanical (14 days notice, three-fourths majority, certified copies filed with Registrar-General)","Schedule contains religious doctrinal content (the Six Tenets) rather than legal complexity"],"plain_english_summary":"This law creates a special legal structure for Christian Science churches in New South Wales. It turns these religious groups into **bodies corporate** (legal entities that can own property, sign contracts, and go to court—like a company, but for a church).\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Automatically incorporates** the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney, giving it legal status, a common seal (official stamp), and the power to own property and sue or be sued.\n- **Allows other existing churches** (Second through Seventh Churches in Sydney, plus churches in Hornsby, Parramatta, Ryde, Rose Bay, Newcastle, and Wollongong) to incorporate if they pass a resolution and file paperwork with the Registrar-General.\n- **Sets up a process for new churches** to incorporate later, provided they have at least 16 members (including 4 from the \"Mother Church\" in Boston) and get certification from the Boston headquarters.\n\n**Key powers granted:**\n- Own, buy, sell, lease, or mortgage property\n- Make by-laws (internal rules) about membership, officers, meetings, and finances\n- Sue and be sued in court\n- Transfer existing property to the new corporate body automatically, without needing deeds or transfers\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Members of Christian Science churches in NSW who follow the faith's principles and the \"Manual\" (the church's rulebook written by founder Mary Baker Eddy)\n- The churches themselves, which gain legal capacity to manage assets and operate formally\n\n**Why it matters:**\nBefore this Act, these churches likely operated as unincorporated associations—groups without separate legal identity. This meant they couldn't easily own property in their own name or enforce contracts. The Act solves this by giving them corporate status while respecting their religious governance (the Boston Mother Church certifies new churches, and members must adhere to the \"Tenets\" listed in the Schedule)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/churches-of-christ-scientist-incorporation-act-1962","history":"/api/acts/churches-of-christ-scientist-incorporation-act-1962/history","analysis":"/api/acts/churches-of-christ-scientist-incorporation-act-1962/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/churches-of-christ-scientist-incorporation-act-1962/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/churches-of-christ-scientist-incorporation-act-1962/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/churches-of-christ-scientist-incorporation-act-1962/documents"}}