John Mason, the appellant, brought a case against John Muncaster and Edmund J. Lee, church-wardens of Christ Church in Fairfax Parish Alexandria. The respondent argued that they had been granted certain rights to land by George Deneale and John Muncaster (the survivor) which were confirmed by an act of assembly in 1786. The court found that the grant was valid but did not give them any right to exclude Mason from his own property or prevent him from using it as he saw fit. Furthermore, the court held that even if there had been some kind of agreement between Deneale and Muncaster regarding use of the land for religious purposes only, this would be unenforceable due to its violation of public policy. Therefore, Mason's claim was upheld and he retained full ownership over his property without any restrictions imposed upon him by respondents' alleged rights under their grant from Deneale and Muncaster

In this case, John Mason was appealing a decision made by the Circuit Court of Alexandria County. The court had ruled in favor of John Muncaster and Edmund J. Lee, church-wardens of Christ Church Fairfax Parish in Alexandria. Mason argued that he should have been granted an easement to use part of the church's land for his own purposes; however, the Supreme Court disagreed with him and upheld the lower court's ruling. The majority opinion held that no such right existed under Virginia law at that time since it would be contrary to public policy as well as detrimental to religious freedom if individuals were allowed to interfere with churches' property rights without their consent or approval. Justice Johnson dissented from this opinion on two grounds: firstly, he argued that there was nothing wrong with granting an easement because it did not amount to interference; secondly, he believed that even if there were some potential harm caused by allowing such a request then it could still be justified given its benefit for both parties involved - namely Mason being able to access his desired land while also providing financial support for the church through payment for said easement rights.