ROACH, Mo. — The Missouri Supreme Court declined May 27 to review a lower court ruling ending a 12-year-old legal battle over ownership of a Baptist camp that declared independence from the Missouri Baptist Convention in 2001.
The refusal leaves standing a March 25 decision by the Missouri Court of Appeals denying a jury trial to determine legal ownership of Windermere Baptist Conference Center in Roach, Mo., because of an inadequate brief filed by the Southern Baptist Convention affiliate’s executive board.
A three-judge panel of the appellate court’s Southern District said procedural errors in the convention’s appeal made it impossible for the court to properly review a legal file exceeding 4,200 pages.
Windermere’s board of trustees released a statement following the action by the Supreme Court.
“The entire Windermere family is pleased that this litigation has come to an end,” trustees said. “We continue to thank God for His blessings on Windermere and its ministry. After more than 12 years and millions of dollars spent on these various pieces of litigation, it is our hope and prayer that all Baptists in Missouri can focus on sharing the gospel in our state rather than attorneys guiding decisions and charting the course.”
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