Asian-American church sues California city for violating its religious freedom

When a California city refused to allow a church to convert its newly acquired office building into a place of worship, the congregation sued.

Anchor Stone Christian Church, composed of first-generation Chinese and Taiwanese Americans, filed the lawsuit against the city of Santa Ana on Feb. 5.

According to the suit, Anchor Stone leadership bought an office property for $1.6 million in 2022 after city officials assured them it could be converted into a church, which had been meeting in homes or other temporary spaces.

However, when Anchor Stone sought a permit from the city to convert the building, city officials denied the request, showing “indifference and open hostility.”

When Anchor Stone appealed on the basis of the First Amendment, city council members claimed religious freedom was being cited “as an excuse to circumvent our local laws,” the suit says. One councilman allegedly stated the increased traffic from the 50-person church would pose a “compelling public health and safety” concern.

 However, the church claims the land is already zoned to allow groups to meet.

“The City does not and cannot explain how the General Plan prohibits the property’s use for churchgoers assembling for Sunday morning worship but, at the same time, would presumably permit museum visitors, restaurant patrons, or corporate employees assembling in the same space for their respective purposes,” the lawsuit reads.  

Anchor Stone also accused the city of having “a history of hostility toward and discrimination against religious institutions.”  

In 2023, the city lost a similar case against a charity which claimed Santa Ana was overly burdening religious exercise. 

Attorneys in the Anchor Stone case allege the First Amendment and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) are being violated.  

RLUIPA is a federal measure intended to prevent religious discrimination in zoning laws.  

“The First Amendment and federal law protect the right of churches to operate free from unreasonable and intrusive government interference,” said Ryan Gardner, an attorney for First Liberty. “Preventing a Chinese- and Taiwanese-American church from worshiping in a facility they purchased is a flagrant denial of the free exercise of their religious activities.” 

“It’s gross favoritism and discrimination when the city grants a permit to one church across the street from the location where Anchor Stone was denied,” added Timothy Durst, another representative of the plaintiffs. “The city’s repeated efforts to prevent churches and religious institutions from engaging in their religious missions cannot continue.”