Leaders from the Presbyterian Church took what may be unprecedented action Tuesday in the case of a Bay Area minister who was in trouble for performing same sex marriages.

For a Marin County Presbyterian Minister who got in trouble for performing same sex marriages Tuesday was a day she called historic.

Reverend Jane Spahr celebrated with her supporters Tuesday afternoon after leaders of Presbyterian churches from Marin to the Oregon border refused to sanction her for performing same sex marriages.

“Today this presbytery said we are equal,” said Spahr.

Spahr officiated at same sex weddings in 2008 when California law permitted it.

The trouble was same sex marriage violated Presbyterian law and the national governing body issued a rebuke against Spahr.

But the elders and ministers within Spahr's 52-church region or presbytery Tuesday debated whether the rebuke was justified.

So many people think the Christian Church is framed in this thing of no to gay, lesbian and transgender people. This is a place that said yes. .11

And in the end the presbytery took what may be an unprecedented stance: they voted to ignore the national Presbyterian judicial commission's rebuke and stand with Spahr.

No other presbytery has split with the Presbyterian Church on same sex marriage. But some disagreed with the vote.

 “By overturning the rebuke, you are overturning our constitution and what many deeply think as scripture and I don't think that is a decent action to take,” said Rev Kelly Ingalls, a Ukiah Presbyterian Minister.

For the lesbian and gay couples Spahr married, Tuesday's vote was a big step.

“It gives me hope in the church, and that the church will stand up for justice,” said Beth Buckingham Brown of American Canyon.

The heat may now be on the presbytery which could now face rebuke from the Presbyterian Church.