Bought With Offerings, Registered to Individuals: Nepal’s Churches Fight Over Who Owns the Land

• Most church property in Nepal is registered in individuals’ names, not the church’s
• About 3,000 of Nepal’s roughly 16,000 churches stand on privately owned land
• One church paid Rs 13 lakh to settle a claim from a founder’s son
• Only 35 to 40 churches are registered with district authorities

Church property across Nepal is registered in the names of individuals rather than churches, leaving congregations exposed to internal disputes, the Centre for Investigative Journalism Nepal reported on March 13, 2024, in a report by Man Bahadur Basnet.

Nepal has about 16,000 churches, but only 35 to 40 are registered with district administrations, and about 99 per cent operate without official registration. About 3,000 stand on privately owned land. Churches would have to register as NGOs, which many Christian leaders reject as unsuitable for religious bodies.

At Koinonia Samdan Church in Hetauda, land donated by Meenakumari Chhetri was registered jointly to three individuals. After one died, his son claimed ownership and demanded Rs 50 lakh; the church settled for Rs 13 lakh. Nepal Christian Gospel Fellowship in Gwarko, Lalitpur, bought 2 ropani 3 ana for Rs 2.6 crore, and its three founders ended up with conflicting claims. At Bethsalom Church in Putalisadak, founded in 1953, the original landowner reclaimed his share after renouncing Christianity.

Church leaders asked: “What happens when their children start claiming the land in the future?” The federation president warned: “Property bought with offerings may end up as private shares.”

Jamaican churches can face the same risk when land is bought in a pastor’s or founder’s name, often because the church has not incorporated or appointed trustees. Money given by members should buy land held by the church, through registered trustees or an incorporated body. Where property is already in an individual’s name, the church should arrange a transfer while relationships are good.

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