On Tuesday, the Justice Department filed a legal complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho. According to the 19-page suit, officials in Troy violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, or RLUIPA, by denying Christ Church permission to meet in a building located in the town’s business district.

Church Faced Multiple Setbacks in Search for Space

Christ Church, based in nearby Moscow, has experienced rapid growth in recent years, prompting it to seek additional venues for Sunday services. The church’s congregation has become too large for a single gathering space, leading leaders to look for supplemental locations, including in Troy.

The Justice Department states that Troy is home to congregants who have been making the approximately 12-mile trip to Moscow for some time. Local members hoped to worship closer to home, believing it to be more accessible and supportive of the church’s mission.

In September 2022, Christ Church held two Sunday services at a bar in downtown Troy. Approximately 60 individuals attended each gathering, and no complaints or disruptions were reported related to the events, according to the DOJ.

Legal Dispute Emerges Over Commercial Zoning

Soon after those services, Troy’s city attorney issued a cease-and-desist letter to the bar’s owner. The letter indicated that religious events were not allowed in the C-1 commercial district without a conditional use permit.

Following the letter, Christ Church made several efforts to find alternative venues around Troy. These included outreach to local institutions, such as a public school, but the requests were rejected. Church leaders also explored building a new property outside town but found the cost prohibitive.

Eventually, a parish elder stepped in and purchased a former bank building located on Main Street. A leasing agreement was signed in January 2023 to allow the church to use a portion of the space for worship and events.

Permit Application Prompted Contentious Rejection

Following the acquisition of the building, Christ Church submitted a formal application for a conditional use permit to operate within the property. In March 2023, the City of Troy denied the request.

The city’s justification was that the church’s presence did not “enhance the commercial district” and that its use was not “in harmony with the Comprehensive Plan,” guiding city planning decisions, according to the federal complaint.

The Justice Department claims these reasons were influenced by public bias and unfairly singled out Christ Church because of its religious identity. The agency argues that similar types of gatherings—by secular groups—had been permitted to operate in the same zoning area without issue.

Federal Officials Cite Unlawful Discrimination

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division emphasized that zoning decisions cannot be based on opposition to a group’s beliefs. “RLUIPA unequivocally forbids local governments from deciding zoning matters based on their dislike of certain religious groups,” she stated.

Dhillon also noted the Department’s willingness to pursue legal action when protected rights are compromised. “The Department of Justice will not hesitate to file suit against jurisdictions that discriminate in land use matters based on the applicants' religious beliefs,” she added.

A written public comment included in the case voiced intense opposition to the church, reading, “I do not want Christ Church to be allowed to destroy another Idaho town. They are evil people spreading evil beliefs.”

Church Defends Mission Amid Public Scrutiny

Christ Church is led by Senior Pastor Douglas Wilson and promotes traditional evangelical teachings. The church says its purpose is to foster a Christian-centered community through worship, education, and outreach.

According to its leaders, the church's doctrine emphasizes the integration of faith into every aspect of life. “Our mission at Christ Church is summed up by the phrase ‘all of Christ for all of life,’” the church explained.

It added that this includes worship services, evangelism, support for Christian marriage and education, and training individuals to share their faith more widely. Leaders say the effort to establish a location in Troy aligns with the church’s broader community goals.

Tensions Remain As Case Proceeds in Federal Court

As of Friday, local officials in Troy had not provided any public response to the DOJ’s lawsuit, despite inquiries from national media outlets. The city’s legal defense position remains unclear.

The dispute highlights broader tensions around religious land use across the country. In a separate case earlier this year, the DOJ filed a statement of interest involving The Summit Church in North Carolina, raising similar legal arguments.

The case filed against Troy is now pending in federal court, where the Justice Department hopes to establish that the denial of Christ Church's permit was a violation of federal law. No court dates have yet been announced for proceedings.