WASHINGTON-A Civil War-era law that lets Virginia congregations keep their property when leaving a denomination where a “division” has occurred is constitutional, a local judge ruled Friday (June 27). Fairfax County Judge Randy I. Bellows’ ruling was greeted as a victory by 11 congregations that seceded from the Episcopal Church last year over theological disagreements. The Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia sued the congregations, arguing that church property essentially belongs to the denomination and the diocese. They also argued that the 1867 “division” statute infringes on religious freedom. Bellows disagreed.