Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump may have some explaining to do after the church where he said he belongs issued a statement stating that the business mogul is not one of its active members.
During a campaign stop in Greenville, South Carolina, on Thursday last week, Trump said, "I am Presbyterian Protestant. I go to Marble Collegiate Church."
However, the church located in Manhattan, New York City, sent a statement to CNN, saying, "Donald Trump has had a longstanding history with Marble Collegiate Church, where his parents were for years active members and one of his children was baptised. However, as he indicates, he is a Presbyterian, and is not an active member of Marble."
Marble Collegiate Church is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America. As stated in its website (www. Marblechurch.org) the church is the oldest place of worship of the Collegiate Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the City of New York, having been founded in 1628. It is also considered as the oldest Protestant organisation in North America with continuous service.
Trump said he admired Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, author of the book "The Power of Positive Thinking," and a pastor at Marble Collegiate Church for 52 years from 1932 until 1984. He died in 1993.
"Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, The Power of Positive Thinking was my pastor," Trump said Tuesday. "To this day one of the great speakers I've seen. You hated to leave church. You hated when the sermon was over. That's how great he was at Marble Collegiate Church."
Trump said he attends church "as often as I can, a lot" and attends different churches because of his travels.
He previously said he has never asked God for forgiveness.
In a rally in Michigan earlier this month, Trump announced that the Bible was his favourite book, with his book "The Art of the Deal" coming second.
"It's my second favourite book of all time," said Trump. "Do you know what my first is? The Bible! Nothing beats the Bible."
Trump said his original church was the "First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, which is out in Queens. I've just had great experiences at church, whether it is Sunday School or whatever it may be, but now I go to Marble Collegiate Church."
Trump is leading in the newest CNN/ORC poll with white evangelical voters.
"At some point I'm going to be meeting with ministers and pastors," he said Thursday.
