The City of Dallas has decided that rainbow-colored church steps are art—not politics—at least for now.

On Monday, the Dallas Landmark Commission ruled that Oak Lawn United Methodist Church can keep its Progress Pride-themed staircase in place for three years, despite bypassing required oversight on property alterations for historic buildings, as KERA News reports.

Situated in one of Dallas’ most established congregations, the century-old church painted its front steps in Pride stripes without prior approval, directly flouting rules that typically govern such historically designated properties.

Commission Gives Temporary Reprieve After Unauthorized Paint Job

The steps, splashed in the colors of the Progress Pride flag, went up after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called for the removal of political markers from public property. Despite clear regulations on property changes for historic sites, the church pressed ahead without seeking the city’s prior consent.

The display has now been labeled a “temporary art installation,” allowing it to exist—but only temporarily. The Commission’s decision allows it to remain for three years, after which it must be reevaluated or removed.

Oak Lawn UMC, located at 3014 Oak Lawn Avenue, has roots stretching back over 150 years. The congregation’s presence at its current site dates back more than a century.

Supporters Turn Out, No Opposition Voiced

It seems that when the cause is colorful enough, some rules get ignored with a shrug. More than 20 supporters lined up to speak passionately in favor of the steps during the two-hour hearing.

Not a single voice opposed the display, at least not publicly. But a separate task force reviewing the case recommended denying the certificate—without prejudice—citing concerns over how the paint clashed with the building’s historic look.

City staff ultimately backed the project with caveats: no paint on brick exteriors, a review within twelve months, and full compliance with any lighting add-ons. In short, paint the steps if you must, but don’t mess with the bricks.

Reverend Defends Message With Emphasis on Inclusion

Reverend Rachel Griffin-Allison, defending the church’s decision, said, “In a moment when symbols of welcome and belonging are being removed from our surrounding neighborhood, we discerned that silence would not be neutral.”

“As a church rooted in this community, we chose to respond visibly and responsibly,” she continued, reflecting a now-familiar progressive mantra that paints visibility as virtue, and silence as complicity.

There’s no denying the language is heartfelt, but the church still painted outside the lines—literally—on a protected historic property where other groups would be held to the letter of the law rather than the spirit of activism.

Temporary Fix Leaves Door Open for Future Changes

Perhaps the most telling moment came before the vote, when commissioners noted the church’s steps had been repainted before. The argument essentially boiled down to: It’s not permanent, and it can be undone later.

No one has claimed the paint is harming the structure or creating irreversible damage, which appeared to weigh heavily in the Commission’s final decision. A temporary splash of color, they concluded, wasn’t worth a long legal fight.

Still, even the city staff's approval came with boundaries, making it clear this was a cautious nod to cultural sentiment, not a rewriting of historic safeguarding practices. It’s a pass—for now—not a policy shift.

Activism Dressed as Art Disguises Deeper Debate

The installation got a green light this week, but the discussion isn't over. Whether or not this sets a precedent for future “temporary expressions” at historic sites remains to be seen.

What’s certain is this: traditions and preservation standards gave way—at least temporarily—under pressure from a highly coordinated support campaign and a message too culturally hot to oppose in public.

Three years from now, the church may be back at City Hall, paintbrush in hand. Or perhaps it will quietly repaint those steps and declare the message served. Either way, Dallas just signaled it’s open to exceptions—if they’re ideologically colorful enough.