by Jorge Gomez • 2 minutes
On Monday, a federal judge issued an important first victory for our client, Anchor Stone Christian Church, allowing it to make necessary renovations to a property it purchased for religious services while the case is ongoing.
In the ruling, the district court judge granted our request for a preliminary injunction and ordered the city of Santa Ana, California to stop its discriminatory actions against the congregation. First Liberty and the law firm O’Melveny & Myers represent the church.
“The judge made it clear that the city severely burdened Anchor Stone’s ability to engage in religious exercise,” said Jeremy Dys, Senior Counsel for First Liberty. “We applaud today’s ruling that requires the city to follow federal law and treat religious land uses the same as any other.”
For two years, the city has prevented the church from using its facilities for religious services. The city denied the church’s application for a conditional use permit to use the property for religious gatherings. Since then, it has sat vacant for two years. Anchor Stone has suffered monetary damages totaling over $500,000.
The judge’s order noted that the city’s ordinances treat religious assemblies less favorably. It also stated that the city’s reasons for denying the church’s permit application were “arbitrary” and “pretextual.”
Since it was opened in 2018, the church grew from an in-home prayer group to about 50 people. Over the years, the church has been meeting in its members’ homes and renting venues for worship. Anchor Stone continues to meet, but is doing so in a space that they’ve already outgrown. With the freedom to renovate and convert their purchased office space, the church is now closer to providing a better home for its growing congregation.
For Anchor Stone, this is about much more than finding a facility or building where they can sing, pray and hear God’s Word. It’s also about fulfilling their mission to spread the Gospel throughout Orange County, as well as serving and caring for their community.
“We have consistently demonstrated our commitment to the community through food donation drives that serve our low-income neighbors weekly,” said Steven Lee, one of the church’s leaders. “By establishing our roots here, we believe we can contribute even more to the city, addressing not only physical needs but also nurturing spiritual life with God’s love and the teaching of the Gospel.”
Like countless other houses of worship across America, Anchor Stone simply wants to live out its faith and be a source of help to friends, neighbors and people in need. But city officials have opted to single out the church and keep it from fulfilling its divinely inspired calling.
That’s not only wrong—it’s illegal. 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. Cities and government officials are also required to treat houses of worship fairly and equally to businesses or other religious organizations.
We secured a crucial win for Anchor Stone, but this legal battle isn’t over. There is plenty of work ahead to ensure the church can worship freely—without government getting in its way.
Anchor Stone is counting on your continued support. With your help, we can secure a complete victory for the church. It would mean so much to the the congregants and the countless families in Santa Ana who are impacted by their ministry.
By winning for this church, you’re also going to help protect religious freedom for every American, including YOU. When one church wins, ALL Americans win.
Please give to First Liberty today.
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