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Dear John,
Over the last few years, we’ve fought for churches facing discrimination from city leaders in Bryan, Ohio, Castle Rock, Colorado, and San Luis, Arizona.
Now, city leaders in Collier Township, Pennsylvania are taking actions to prevent the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church from conducting religious services.
Ukrainian Catholic refugees fled from communism in the 20th century, seeking to worship in peace according to their own customs and traditions. They found respite in Collier Township and eventually acquired a 41-acre parcel of land.
Watch What's Happening in Pennsylvania >>
Upon settling in the Township, these refugees formed their church, the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church.
And now that they are ready to build a chapel on their land, Collier Township is refusing to grant the church the needed permits to begin construction.
In addition, the Township has placed unlawful restrictions on the church such as limiting how long and when church bells could ring, for whom memorial services could be held, and the size and height of buildings.
Watch First Liberty’s Jeremy Dys discuss Holy Trinity’s struggles and explain why we filed a federal lawsuit against Collier Township.
Despite the restrictions imposed on the church, less than a mile up the road, the local carpenters’ union maintains a 19-acre campus that includes classrooms, conference rooms, offices, a cafeteria, an event space, and a meeting room with seating for 400 people.
What’s more, the township zoning code allows secular establishments such as amusement parks, ice rinks, fitness centers, and country clubs to operate in the same zoning district, while not allowing the same for houses of worship.
Like countless churches across America, Holy Trinity simply wants to live out its faith and use its facilities and property to better serve the needs of congregants and the community.
But local officials have chosen to single out this church and keep it from fulfilling its divinely inspired mission.
That’s not only wrong—it’s illegal.
Stand for Your First Liberty by Standing Against Religious Discrimination
The First Amendment and federal law protect the right of churches to operate free from unreasonable and intrusive government interference.
That includes a church’s right to use its facilities for religious purposes.
John, you can help flip the tables on Collier Township.
By supporting First Liberty today with your prayers and financial support, you can deliver a clear message to the Township that they won’t be allowed to restrict religious exercise or endanger our constitutional rights.
Protect religious freedom by standing with Holy Trinity today.
When one church wins, ALL Americans win.
Yes, I'll make a gift today >>
Grateful for you,
Kelly
Kelly Shackelford, Esq.
President, CEO & Chief Counsel
First Liberty Institute
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