Overview
- The Village of the Branch issued a Dec. 16 summons to St. Patrick’s, citing a prohibited use of its front parking lot in the historic district and noting a potential fine of at least $350, with a court date set for Jan. 26.
- Mayor Mark Delaney says the village did not stop the church from selling trees and is seeking compliance on location, adding that officials are not pursuing fines but that the court will determine outcomes.
- First Liberty Institute and Greenberg Traurig sent a Dec. 18 legal warning accusing the village of violating the First Amendment and RLUIPA, alleging discriminatory enforcement and threatening to challenge officials’ qualified immunity.
- Church attorneys say St. Patrick’s has sold trees for more than 25 years, argue the village uses a vague 90‑day fundraising limit, and point to a secular fall craft fair they say proceeded without a special use permit.
- The legal letter highlights prior New York cases with large fee awards and settlements to underscore potential liability, while noting the church’s earlier festival dispute was resolved by moving events off the front lot.