Northway Church Cries Foul Over Eviction from Post Road School Auditorium
Northway Church was recently informed by White Plains Schools Superintendent Paul Fried that they are no longer welcome to meet in the Post Road Elementary School on Sunday mornings.
The eviction notice came in response to Northway’s Easter Services that were held in the school auditorium, to which they invited the people of the Westchester County.
The White Plains Board of Education had approved the request by the church to use the facility on Sunday mornings and had entered into a prepaid lease agreement from Jan. 10 through July 24.
In a press release, the church claims its request was to use the facility for “events and/or services” and that it was open about its intention to use the auditorium for services, though the release did not specifically say ‘religious’ services, it did say ‘Sunday’ services.
However, a statement released Monday by the White Plains School District said: “The Northway Church’s permission to use the District’s facilities is subject to possible revocation by the District, effective May 2, 2016. A final determination has not yet been made by the District. It appears that the Northway Church is using the District’s Post Road Elementary School to conduct religious worship services, which was not indicated in the Northway Church’s application letter requesting that the District’s Board of Education add the Northway Church as an organization approved to use the District’s facilities. The use of District facilities for any denominational doctrine, instruction or service which are singularly devoted to religious worship is prohibited by the District’s Policy.”
“Northway Church is a non-denominational church, and therefore does not teach denominational doctrine. Northway Church is not singularly devoted to religious worship. Their Sunday experiences provide segments of inspiration and encouragement that apply to all people groups and backgrounds,” the release said.
On the Northway Church website, there are specific references to God, a journey with Christ, the Holy Spirit, scripture and the Bible.
