A religious liberty law firm filed a federal
lawsuit Wednesday against a
Pennsylvania town that allegedly is
banning Bible clubs and other religious
meetings from being held on a couple’s
35-acre property.
The lawsuit by the Independence Law
Center against Sewickley Heights Borough
– which is about 15 miles from Pittsburgh
– alleges the town ordered Scott and Terri
Fetterolf to stop holding religious
activities on the property as part of a
zoning restriction. Parties, political rallies
and book club meetings are not banned
under the zoning ordinance.
The suit says the town’s position violates
the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of
religious freedom, free speech, and the
freedom to assemble.
“Government should not target religious
activities for punishment, particularly
when similar secular activities are
permitted,” said Jeremy Samek , senior
counsel for the Independence Law Center.
“In America, no government can
categorically ban people from assembling
to worship on one’s own property.”
The suit says the property “has been used
for many decades to host religious
activities such as seminary picnics,
seminary board meetings, Pittsburgh
Institute for Youth Ministry, Bible studies,
fundraisers for pastors and churches, Billy
Graham Foundation meetings, and many
more religious activities.”
The Fetterolfs bought the property in 2003
from Nancy Chalfant, who also had
hosted religious activities on the property.
The borough issued a “Notice of
Violation/Cease and Desist Order” in
October against the Fetterolfs.
“Sewickley Heights is threatening the
Fetterolfs with fines of $500 per day, plus
court costs including the Borough’s
attorney’s fees, for having Bible studies at
their home, having meetings where
religious songs are sung, conducting any
religious retreats for church leaders or
seminary students for prayer or for
camaraderie-building/fellowship time, and
conducting any religious fundraisers,” the
suit says.
The case is Fetterolf v. Borough of
Sewickley Heights.
lawsuit Wednesday against a
Pennsylvania town that allegedly is
banning Bible clubs and other religious
meetings from being held on a couple’s
35-acre property.
The lawsuit by the Independence Law
Center against Sewickley Heights Borough
– which is about 15 miles from Pittsburgh
– alleges the town ordered Scott and Terri
Fetterolf to stop holding religious
activities on the property as part of a
zoning restriction. Parties, political rallies
and book club meetings are not banned
under the zoning ordinance.
The suit says the town’s position violates
the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of
religious freedom, free speech, and the
freedom to assemble.
“Government should not target religious
activities for punishment, particularly
when similar secular activities are
permitted,” said Jeremy Samek , senior
counsel for the Independence Law Center.
“In America, no government can
categorically ban people from assembling
to worship on one’s own property.”
The suit says the property “has been used
for many decades to host religious
activities such as seminary picnics,
seminary board meetings, Pittsburgh
Institute for Youth Ministry, Bible studies,
fundraisers for pastors and churches, Billy
Graham Foundation meetings, and many
more religious activities.”
The Fetterolfs bought the property in 2003
from Nancy Chalfant, who also had
hosted religious activities on the property.
The borough issued a “Notice of
Violation/Cease and Desist Order” in
October against the Fetterolfs.
“Sewickley Heights is threatening the
Fetterolfs with fines of $500 per day, plus
court costs including the Borough’s
attorney’s fees, for having Bible studies at
their home, having meetings where
religious songs are sung, conducting any
religious retreats for church leaders or
seminary students for prayer or for
camaraderie-building/fellowship time, and
conducting any religious fundraisers,” the
suit says.
The case is Fetterolf v. Borough of
Sewickley Heights.
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