No tax under Section 40-22-1 shall be levied upon the recordation of any deed, bill of sale, or any similar instrument or conveyances of like character which conveys title to or any interest in any real or personal property within this state and which is executed and delivered for the purpose of carrying out the division of any church, congregation, parish, religious congregation, religious assembly, diocese, or other religious organization into two or more similar organizations or for the purpose of carrying out a merger or consolidation of any two or more such religious organizations into a single organization. This exemption shall apply to such recording regardless of the date on which the division, merger, or consolidation occurred.
Ala. Code § 40-22-5.1 (1975)