The Carlinville Southern Baptist Church purchased a former Wal-Mart building for their growing congregation, but found that the zoning wouldn't allow religious activities in the store. The church sued under RLIUPA and won this week.
'Under the agreement, the City Council will have a special-use permit drafted that will allow Carlinville Southern Baptist Church to hold worship services in the former Wal-Mart building, Schwab said. The City Council will approve the special-use permit at its Oct. 6 meeting.
Tim Rhodus, pastor of Carlinville Southern Baptist Church, said he and the congregation are pleased to have the case settled and to be able to move forward.
'We are really grateful we will now have full use of our building and that the city recognized the need to get this all behind us for the betterment of the community,' he said.
While the original plans had been to have worship services at the new facility by this month, Rhodus said the court case put them behind schedule.'
FULL STORY: NEW: Carlinville, church settle dispute over use of Wal-Mart
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