St. John United Church of Christ in Indianapolis is challenging about the historic building designation prohibiting it from selling the property to developers.
Church leaders say the church needs $1 million in repairs and renovations, including immediate work to the roof, kitchen, elevators and heating and cooling systems. Attendance is declining, and with annual revenue of only about $150,000, church leaders say they cannot afford to maintain the 96-year-old building.
The church had planned to sell the building and its surrounding property to a developer, then build a new church on donated land nearby, according to the lawsuit filed Sept. 10 in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis.
A church in Washington, D.C. persuaded officials there to remove a similar historic designation last year after raising religious freedom issues earlier this year.
