Presbyterian Churches Act 1837

And whereas, for the more effective discharge of the duties of trustees of Presbyterian churches or chapels, it is expedient that their powers and duties should be defined:

Be it declared and enacted, That the duties of the said trustees shall be solely confined to the temporal concerns of said churches and chapels, such as the collection of pew rents, receiving subscriptions, donations, devises, or bequeathments of lands or other property, for the erection, maintenance and repair of the church, chapel, or minister's dwelling, for which they shall be appointed, or for a burial ground or glebe thereunto annexed; also the payment of stipends or salaries of church officers, expenses attending the dispensation of divine ordinances, and the faithful performance of ministerial, clerical, and parochial duty connected therewith; and it is also hereby declared that the said trustees shall have no power or authority to appoint or dismiss the minister of any such church or chapel to which they are or shall be appointed.