Zoning – Part 1
A federal court in Connecticut ruled that a city zoning commission violated federal law when it ordered a homeowner to stop conducting weekly prayer group meetings in his home.
Facility Use
Zoning – Part 2
A Texas court ruled that a city could compel a church-operated school to close because it failed to comply with various safety provisions in a city building code.
Church Property – Part 4
A federal court in Tennessee concluded that a church was not engaged in commerce for purposes of a federal arson statute.
Zoning
The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that a city had improperly denied a church's request for a special use permit to use property for church purposes.
Freedom of Religion – Part 2
A federal appeals court ruled that a city's refusal to allow a church to use the town hall for weekly Bible studies violated the first amendment guaranty of free speech.
Zoning
A federal court in Illinois ruled that the legal rights of churches were not violated by a city zoning ordinance that required churches to obtain a special use permit.
Taxation—Church Property
A New York court ruled that a church-owned residence occupied by a non-ordained choir director was exempt from property taxes.
Is Our Church Engaged in Commerce?
An important question-United States v. Terry, 2001 WL 789160 (4th Cir. 2001) • Key pointLabor
Church Property
A Washington court ruled that a church's property did not "revert" to the previous owner because of immaterial violations of a condition in the deed.
Freedom of Religion
The United States Supreme Court ruled that a public school violated the free speech rights of a religious club by forbidding the club to meet after hours at the school.
The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000
Religious organizations provided new protections under a new federal law.
Church Property
A Tennessee court ruled that a woman who used a path across a church's property had not acquired an easement because her years of use were less than what were prescribed by law.
Freedom of Religion
A federal appeals court ruled that a religious group could not use public school property for religious services because the property was not a "public forum.”
Taxation—Church Property – Part 2
A Connecticut court ruled that an undeveloped tract of land owned by a church was not entitled to exemption from property taxation since.
Taxation—Church Property
An Indiana court ruled that a church's property was entitled to exemption from property tax even though it did not have legal title to the property.
Church Property – Part 2
A New York court ruled that a church could transfer its property despite a provision in its deed that required the property to be used forever for religious purposes.
Church Property – Part 1
An Arkansas court ruled that a neighboring landowner had a legal right to use a roadway across church property to access a public road.
Taxation—Church Property
The Minnesota Tax Court ruled that a church-owned rectory was exempt from property tax even though it was no longer occupied by the parish priest.
Taxation—Church Property
The New Jersey Tax Court addressed the eligibility of two church-owned properties for an exemption from property taxes.
Recent Developments in Louisiana Regarding Personal Injuries on Church Property or During Church Activities
A Louisiana court ruled that a charity that sponsored an overnight youth activity was liable on the basis of negligent supervision for the death of a 12-year-old girl who drowned in a hotel swimming pool.