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The U.S. Department of Justice has intervened in a legal dispute to support Grace New England Church, a small congregation led by Pastor Howard Kaloogian in Weare, New Hampshire.
The church has gathered for worship on Pastor Kaloogian’s five-acre property every Saturday for several years, using a renovated barn that the pastor has also offered to the community for a variety of secular events, including political rallies, backgammon tournaments, and weddings.
The government has never had an issue with any gathering held anywhere in town or on Pastor Kaloogian’s private property — until a Weare zoning enforcement official named Tony Sawyer saw a promotional flyer for Grace New England Church’s Saturday worship event. Sawyer then went, uninvited, to Pastor Kaloogian’s house and informed him that he would have to complete a site plan application and a conditional-use permit in order to continue holding religious assemblies on his private property.
The town has since delayed permit applications, subjected the pastor to repeated inspections of his home, and threatened to fine him.