diff --git a/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/gemfire/RegionFactoryBean.java b/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/gemfire/RegionFactoryBean.java
index e5f0cc2c..59cc6cbe 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/gemfire/RegionFactoryBean.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/springframework/data/gemfire/RegionFactoryBean.java
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ public class RegionFactoryBean<K, V> extends RegionLookupFactoryBean<K, V> imple
 					}
 				}
 			}
-			if (destroy) {
+			else if (destroy) {
 				region.destroyRegion();
 			}
 		}
@@ -146,21 +146,33 @@ public class RegionFactoryBean<K, V> extends RegionLookupFactoryBean<K, V> imple
 	/**
 	 * Indicates whether the region referred by this factory bean,
 	 * will be destroyed on shutdown (default false).
+	 * Note: destroy and close are mutually exclusive. Enabling one will automatically disable the other.
 	 * 
 	 * @param destroy whether or not to destroy the region
+	 * 
+	 * @see #setClose(boolean)
 	 */
 	public void setDestroy(boolean destroy) {
 		this.destroy = destroy;
+
+		if (destroy) {
+			close = false;
+		}
 	}
 
 	/**
 	 * Indicates whether the region referred by this factory bean,
 	 * will be closed on shutdown (default true).
+	 * Note: destroy and close are mutually exclusive. Enabling one will automatically disable the other.
 	 * 
 	 * @param close whether to close or not the region
+	 * @see #setDestroy(boolean)
 	 */
 	public void setClose(boolean close) {
 		this.close = close;
+		if (close) {
+			destroy = false;
+		}
 	}
 
 	/**
diff --git a/src/main/resources/org/springframework/data/gemfire/config/spring-gemfire-1.0.xsd b/src/main/resources/org/springframework/data/gemfire/config/spring-gemfire-1.0.xsd
index fdfc4758..4aef42f1 100644
--- a/src/main/resources/org/springframework/data/gemfire/config/spring-gemfire-1.0.xsd
+++ b/src/main/resources/org/springframework/data/gemfire/config/spring-gemfire-1.0.xsd
@@ -210,6 +210,8 @@ After the destroy, this region object can not be used any more and any attempt t
 RegionDestroyedException.
 
 Default is false, meaning that regions are not destroyed.
+
+Note: destroy and close are mutually exclusive. Enabling one will automatically disable the other.
 						]]></xsd:documentation>
 					</xsd:annotation>
 				</xsd:attribute>
@@ -221,7 +223,8 @@ disk files. Additionally it notifies the listeners and callbacks.
 
 Default is true, meaning the regions are closed.
 
-Note: Regions are automatically closed when cache closes.						
+Note: Regions are automatically closed when cache closes.
+Note: destroy and close are mutually exclusive. Enabling one will automatically disable the other.				
 						]]></xsd:documentation>
 					</xsd:annotation>
 				</xsd:attribute>