News Release
For Immediate Release: 10.9.25
Contact: Natalie Konstans, media@firstliberty.org
Direct: 972-941-4453
Oklahoma City Council Approves Permit Allowing Local Church to Use Property for Religious Services
Church was previously blocked by City from using its facility for religious purposes.
Sapupla, OK—The Sapulpa (OK) City Council voted 5-4 to approve Lee & Walnut Church of Christ’s Special Use Permit (“SUP”) this week, allowing the church to begin using its facilities for religious services. The City previously denied the Church’s permit due to their losing taxpayer money on the property. First Liberty Institute represents Lee & Walnut Church of Christ.
“The Lee & Walnut Church of Christ simply wants to be able to use its property as always planned: as a church,” said Ryan Gardner, Senior Counsel for First Liberty Institute. “We are grateful for the five councilmembers who upheld the Church’s religious liberty by approving its permit, ensuring that the Church can proceed with meeting together and serving the community.”
In the demand letter sent recently, attorneys stated, “The Church’s right to purchase and use the Property for religious purposes is fully and clearly protected by the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000cc et seq. (“RLUIPA”), and the Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act, 51 O.S. § 251 et seq. (“ORFA”).”
Lee & Walnut Church of Christ is a small church located in Sapulpa, Oklahoma that endeavors to spread the gospel to others in their community. In the summer of 2025, the Church began the process of acquiring a vacant building to serve as a new home for its growing congregation. It applied for a SUP in July and received unanimous approval by the Sapulpa Planning Commission in August. With assurance from the Planning Board that there would be no obstacles for using this new property for religious assembly from the City, the Church proceeded with the purchase. It was only after closing on the property that the City Council voiced objection and rejected the Church’s permit application 4-3. This rejection resulted from a City Council meeting in which three councilmembers were not present, and the Church was given no opportunity to be heard on its application. After First Liberty sent a demand letter, the City Council reconvened and came to the right conclusion, approving the Church’s permit.
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About First Liberty Institute
First Liberty Institute is a non-profit public interest law firm and the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.
To arrange an interview, contact Natalie Konstans at media@firstliberty.org or by calling 972-941-4453.
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