Diana Harris, of Auckland, has written to Dr Moxon, requesting he "look into this matter as soon as possible".
The action of the Bishop of Dunedin, the Rt Rev George Connor, in terminating the Rev David Crooke's position appeared " to be nothing less than vindicative, both towards the parish and towards the Rev Crooke, and is contrary to both church and civil law", she said.
Whaler-turned-farmer Johnny Jones built the church and gave it in trust to the Anglican Church, she said.
The stipend for the priest's parish work is paid for from interest derived from trusts set up by Jones in 1860.
Last week, the Otago Daily Times reported Mr Crooke had been told in a letter from Bishop Connor that his licence as a priest would be terminated by January 31.
Mrs Harris was "horrified" the parish or priest had not been consulted.
Her great-great-great-grandfather had established the trust fund to ensure the welfare of the parish and his wishes had been betrayed by the diocese, she said.
"The mind boggles at what Johnny Jones would have done had he been alive today."
Mrs Harris, along with several members of the parish, said the removal of the priest appeared to be related to a failed attempt by the Dunedin Diocesan Trust Board to access the $750,000 in trust funds.
"I think all this is reflecting very badly on the Anglican Church."
The church's Auckland-based media officer Lloyd Ashton said it was unlikely the archbishop would become involved in diocesan affairs.
A spokeswoman for the Otago-Southland Anglican diocese declined to comment on the dispute and Bishop Connor could not be contacted yesterday.
However, several people have contacted the newspaper saying the diocese was attempting to resolve the issue before it escalated further.
