Will the Supreme Court Issue an Eviction Notice to New York Churches?

New York City churches are awaiting word from the U.S. Supreme Court about whether they can continue meeting for worship services in the city’s public school buildings outside of class time. The tremendous growth of congregations in the city and their important work there, especially in their local neighborhoods, could be significantly stymied unless the Supreme Court steps into the matter or Mayor Bill De Blasio takes action to help the religious groups now meeting in the schools.

In most U.S. communities, it is common for local cities and school boards to allow churches and other religious groups to rent empty space during non-school hours for worship services. But that is not the case in New York City. By policy, New York City public schools are open during non-school hours for use by community groups for any activity “pertaining to the welfare of the community.” The policy permits churches to meet for afterschool programs or Bible studies but specifically bans worship services. Keep reading

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