A church divided came together Monday but in a courtroom rather than a place of worship.
Overflow spectators outside 3rd District Judge William Thorne's courtroom waited anxiously to see the legal outcome of a bitter battle that has divided Faith Temple, founded by Rosemary "Mama" Cosby, who died last year.Her widower, Bishop Robert C. Cosby, and her children are at odds over property and assets and the congregation has been drawn into the fiery feud so much that it has divided into two groups.
Thorne said he will appoint a special administrator to oversee an inventory of Rosemary Cosby's estate. He also will issue a restraining order preventing Robert Cosby from selling or transferring property that Rosemary Cosby's adult children from another marriage, Rosalind Cazares and Ernest Wilson, say their mother owned.
Cazares and Wilson allege that Robert Cosby and the church's financial manager, Lois Johnson, have tried to deny them their rightful share of the estate.
Depending on who you talk to, the estate may or may not include valuable residential and commercial property, a restaurant, a radio station, several other businesses, jewelry, art, furniture and cars.
However, Cosby and Johnson have said the property has been appropriately accounted for and that Rosemary Cosby did not own the possessions that are at the heart of the battle.
On a more personal note, Thorne cautioned the church members not to battle each other and not to forget the love they had for the late church founder.
"They call her Mama," the judge said later. "Mama would not have wanted them fighting each other this way. They need to figure out a way to resolve their differences."
At least 200 people congregated outside the courtroom that can seat only 70 people, and deputies had to turn most away.
The family feud has spilled over into the church and has divided it to such an extent that part of the congregation still worships in its original building at 1510 S. Richards St., but another group worships in rented rooms in hotels. Rumors are rampant and feelings are running high.
What no one questions is the high esteem in which Rosemary Cosby still is held, but what happens to the church, its money and its property are fighting points.
Rosemary Cosby came to Salt Lake City in 1961 and first began holding services in her home. She founded Faith Temple in 1968 and developed a loyal following of church members. A "sister church" was started in Indianapolis.
She married Robert Cosby in 1975.
Outside the courtroom, many spectators declined to comment.
However, Fern Redmon, who has been a member of Faith Temple since 1962, was willing to speak.
"She worked all those years for the church and now they want to take it all," Redmon said of "Mama" who was a beloved figure in the church.
Redmon recalled how she had been going from church to church seeking the truth and then met Rosemary Cosby. Redmon questioned the evangelist's statement that she had been sent by God to Salt Lake City.
"I was really skeptical until one time when I heard her pray. She prayed until God stood up in her place. From that time, on, I stayed with her," said Redmon, 83.
Redmon's granddaughter, Teako Warfield, 16, said Rosemary Cosby had named her and raised her in the church, even taking custody of her for a while when her own family had difficulties. When Robert Cosby took over after his wife's death, everything in the church changed, and Rosemary Cosby's compassionate approach disappeared, she said.
"When he preached, he was really hard," Warfield said.
However, both women expressed confidence that the church will survive. They said the half of the congregation that they belong to doesn't have the building, but they have a strong fellowship and believe the court system will sort things out.