Members quit over church row vote

The move follows a vote of no confidence in their leadership.

The decision was made at a private meeting of the church council of St James's Church, Wetherby. The church has been in crisis since choirmaster Stephen Hartley, 62, from York, claimed he was forced to resign by the new vicar Philip Evans because he lives with his partner Joyce and the couple are not married. In a statement released by the church council, a spokesman said: "The PCC reflected carefully on the result of Wednesday night's extraordinary general meeting of the church and it was agreed that individuals needed personal opportunity to consider their positions, not least as some members of the council had not been able to be present at the meeting.

"Further discussion will occur as soon as possible, meanwhile the PCC is continuing to carry out its responsibilities to the church."

The spokesman said a number of members had indicated their intention to resign but they were keen to honour their legal requirement to find replacements before they did so.

He said: "A number have indicated that they will step down in the proper way, but nobody has actually resigned as of last night." Following Wednesday night's extraordinary general meeting, in which the majority of the parishioners present voted in favour of a vote of no confidence, Mr Evans, who despite being head of the church council has no legal requirement to resign himself, said: "It's helpful that the votes at the meeting were clear, but I am stunned by the outcome.

"The principle and repeated argument at the meeting was that the PCC had not reflected the wishes of the congregation and this was related to the PCC's acceptance of Stephen Hartley's resignation.

"It has stunned and concerned me that the sole emphasis of those who speak for the motion was on the will of the congregation with no mention of the will of God as expressed in the scriptures and teaching of the Church of England."