Faithwire
  • Watch
  • Go!
  • Podcasts
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • News
  • Politics
  • Coronavirus Updates
  • Faith
  • Opinion
  • Christmas
  • Set Free Course

Judge Rules 142-Year-Old DC Church Can Hold Outdoor Worship Despite Mayor’s COVID Restrictions

Images credit: Dhousch and Farragutful via Wikimedia Commons
Images credit: Dhousch and Farragutful via Wikimedia Commons
Share Tweet
By CBN News
Contributor

October 13, 2020

A federal judge has ruled that Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC, can hold outdoor services despite the COVID restrictions placed by Mayor Muriel Bowser.

Judge Trevor McFadden insisted, “It is for the church, not the District or this court, to define for itself the meaning of ‘not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together’.”

Yelp to Add ‘Scarlet Letter’ to Businesses Accused of ‘Racist Behavior’

The Justice Department filed a statement of interest on Oct. 2 in federal district court in DC, arguing the Constitution and federal law require the District of Columbia to accommodate Capitol Hill Baptist Church’s (CHBC) effort to hold worship services outdoors, at least to the same extent the District of Columbia allows other forms of outdoor First Amendment activity, such as peaceful protests. 

As CBN News reported late last month, CHBC, a congregation with a 142-year history and more than 850 members, filed a lawsuit against the District and the mayor for the restrictions placed on gatherings of more than 100 people to worship. 

“Since its founding in 1878, CHBC has met in-person every Sunday except for three weeks during the Spanish Flu in 1918,” the church said in a statement. “That changed following Mayor Bowser’s first orders concerning COVID-19 on March 11, 2020.”

Kanye Drops Campaign Ad Calling Us to ‘Revive Our Nation’s Commitment to Faith’

CHBC notes that Mayor Bowser has permitted mass gatherings and protests over racial equality where hundreds of people assembled, yet her orders prohibit gatherings of more than 100 people for the purpose of worship. 

The church even sought a permit to hold outdoor worship services in excess of the 100-person limit but was denied by the city. And CHBC pointed out the importance of in-person worship services since the church does not have an online ministry.

“I am gratified that the court upheld the right of worshippers in the District of Columbia to exercise their First Freedom of religious exercise, in a safe manner,” said Acting US Attorney Michael Sherwin for the District of Columbia.

This story was first published on CBNNews.com.

Latest

  • Politics

    Major Retailers Drop MyPillow Over CEO Mike Lindell’s Comments on Capitol Riot, Election Fraud

  • News

    Trade Uncovers Serious Health Issue for NBA Star Caris LeVert, May Have Saved His Life

  • News

    Joe Biden Sworn in as America’s 46th President – Here’s His Address to the Nation

  • Faith

    Court Strikes Obama’s ‘Transgender Mandate’ that Forced Some Doctors to Violate Their Faith

  • News

    ‘Good Riddance!’: China’s State-Run Media Celebrates End of Trump Presidency


Sponsored Sidebar Default (2)

Navigation

  • Watch
  • Go!
  • Podcasts
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter
  • Staff
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Sign up to get our newsletter your inbox every day.

Newsletter Signup

Do you want to read
more articles like this?


Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement