Domain Name Issues

Back story. Several years ago I purchased a domain name for a local church. Several of my family members are heavily involved in this church. They came to me and asked that I help them with a website. I agreed spent the money on domains and hosting as well as my time to design the website . I have never been compensated for my work. I did receive $50 for hosting charges from a men’s club group within the church a few times. The church received a new pastor and wants to do things his way which is fine with me. They wanted to get a new website created by someone else, something that the part time secretary could update as needed without calling for outside help. There is a faith based company that does just this type of thing. They have canned websites, pick your design and can be updated through any web browser.
At this time I explained to them I had just spent the money for this year’s hosting and domain registration. I asked that I be reimbursed for that money. I have never heard anything from them. Yesterday I find out from godaddy that they have initiated a change of register and provided documentation that they are the rightful owner. What bothers me here is that the domain name is not really specific to their church name. The name is firstmethodistcanton.com it’s not state specific, church or any other organization. I don’t see how this would be any difference if I bought the domain and tried to market it to every Methodist church in any town named canton. We have no written contract.
Has anyone ever been through this before?

 

No offense but it sounds like a lot of fret over nearly nothing. It sounds like they initially paid for the domain name, albeit through you, which, in my opinion, makes them the owner of it. If they decide to move to a different host or webmaster, it should be up to them. As a Christian organization I would have to assume that they would pay the current charges if properly approached.