BAKERSFIELD, CA-- The Episcopal Congregation of Saint Paul's is happy to have its church back after a long court battle.
In 2007, certain members of the San Joaquin Episcopal Dioceses decided to split with the National Episcopal Church.
Some of the issues were the consecration of an openly gay bishop and allowing women to become priests.
Members of the dioceses decided to join the Anglicans but they also wanted to take Saint Paul's with them which began a legal battle.
The courts ruled in favor of the National Episcopal Church and Saint Paul's was returned as of July 1st this year.
"Well our message has been one of all inclusion," said Rev. Kate Cullinane from St. Paul's Church. "Everybody is welcome even those with more conservative traditional points of view are certainly welcome in the church."
Rev. Kate Cullinane says she's been dealing with opposing viewpoints since her ordainment more than 30 years ago.
"Like, my experience has been 'oh Kate she's a priest, she's ok. I guess its ok,' so people come around gradually."
The Anglicans who left found a temporary place to worship. It's Olive Drive Church in Bakersfield.
"In fact there are several people at St. Paul's that are my friends,"said Lori Pflugh, who was part of the group that left The National Episcopal Church to join the Anglicans.
"The building was a big part of us. The church is not the building, the church is the people. So I think at this point we should try to reconcile."