The United States Supreme Court on April 19 heard oral arguments for Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia v. Comer, a case involving an LCMS congregation.
Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Christiana Holcomb talks about the case with KFUO Radio host Kip Allen during a “Free to be Faithful” program.
In 2012, Trinity Lutheran Church and Child Learning Center in Columbia, Mo., applied for a grant through a program, administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, that helps pay for rubberizing playgrounds using ground-up recycled tires.
Although Trinity placed fifth among 44 applicants, its application was turned down because the playground is owned by a church. The state argued that approving the grant is using public funds to support religion and is prohibited by the state constitution.
Alliance Defending Freedom took up the case, which was one of the first cases heard with newly appointed Supreme Court Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch.
The LCMS joined an amicus brief on the case in 2015.
Resources
- Follow case updates — playgroundcase.org
- LCMS religious liberty campaign — lcms.org/social-issues/free-to-be-faithful.
- Alliance Defending Freedom — adflegal.org
