It’s embarrassing that this had to go to court.  But, given that it did, it looks like a definitive opinion was issued in favor of the Episcopal Church.  Here’s how the Episcopal New Service reported the event:

[Episcopal News Service, Los Angeles] In a landmark ruling that could have national implications, the California Supreme Court on January 5 upheld an earlier court decision that buildings and property do not belong to dissident congregations but to the Diocese of Los Angeles and the general Episcopal Church.

Associate Justice Ming W. Chin, writing for the court, said the diocese held the property and buildings in trust for the wider mission and ministry of the church.

The ruling affects St. James Church in Newport Beach, All Saints Church in Long Beach and St. David’s Church in North Hollywood.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_104046_ENG_HTM.htm