Parishioners from St. James the Great Episcopal Church in Orange County said they were locked out from their place of worship and told to find another home because the church wanted to sell the land.
The Lido peninsula church in Newport Beach has been there for 70 years.
About 200 people considered St. James their church home.
The Rev. Canon said she reopened the doors to the church after a previous upheaval in 2013 and now 18 months later was leading a flock that refused to back down, refused to disperse their church family.
"We are not dwindling, we are growing," Canon said. "We are strong, we are sustainable. This is about money."
In May, the bishop came to the church and told people there the land was going to be sold to a developer and they needed to to find a new place to worship.
After last Sunday's services, the locks were changed. Parishioners said they still had some personal belongings inside.
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A developer offered $15 million for the church land and two parking lots. There were plans to build condos on the prime piece of real estate next to the ocean, similar to other residential homes in the neighborhood.
The congregation said it was unfair to split up the family they became over the years. Their Facebook page explained their battle. Canon said she was told by the bishop to resign.
"I am stunned at the leadership of the church, that they want condos over a congregation," church member Bill Kroener said.
A statement from the Episcopal Diocese received by NBC4 Thursday morning stated: "I can confirm that due diligence on the sale is proceeding. But because litigation is currently pending, I am not authorized to comment further at this time."
A group stood outside the church Thursday morning undaunted and said it planned to hold services again Sunday even if it was out on the sidewalk.
Brison Klein said nine years ago this was a place that affected his 21-year-old life. He couldn't accept it would be anything other than a church.
"I think there's a greater power at work here than a bunch of lawyers who want to build condos and parking lots," he said. "I think this place will stay."
