Any church, religious society, or denomination of Christians, being the whole body of religious believers having a common faith and polity, now or hereafter to be established in the United States of America, and the supreme governing body thereof, whether sole or aggregate, shall be severally recognized in the courts of justice and elsewhere as an entity bearing the name by which it is commonly called and known, regardless of any civil incorporation. Such supreme governing body may bring any action or proceeding in any court, to enforce the civil rights or claims of the whole church, religious society or denomination.

Amended by L.1953, c. 16, p. 140, s. 3, eff. March 19, 1953.