Contact: Attorney Noel W. Sterett, 312-726-6454, nsterett@mauckbaker.com; Attorney John Mauck, 312-853-8709, jmauck@mauckbaker.com
MILWAUKEE, Wis., Nov. 6, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- A law suit against the city of Milwaukee ended on Monday when U.S. District Court Judge Charles N. Clevert entered an order approving Milwaukee's settlement with Harvest Covenant Church. As part of the settlement the church was compensated for both damages and its attorneys' fees by Milwaukee.
In 2008, Harvest's Pastor Darnell Robinson returned from serving in the military and attempted to start an Evangelical Covenant Church in Milwaukee. Robinson founded the Harvest Child Development Center, a day care and social service facility, hoping to use the same location for church services on Sunday.
However, a Milwaukee ordinance effectively prohibited storefront churches, so Robinson applied for a special use permit in 2010 which he was denied. Harvest Covenant Church filed suit against Milwaukee on June 1, 2012. During the dispute, the court granted the church interim relief on March 26, 2013 allowing religious assembly in the building. Along with the damages and attorney's fee, Harvest Covenant Church was also permitted to permanently continue holding religious assembly at their location on 7127 West Lisbon Ave.
"I was really grateful for how attorneys for the city heard our story and responded after we filed suit," said Pastor Darnell Robinson. Attorneys at Mauck & Baker, LLC in Chicago, Ill. have represented Harvest Covenant Church as well as local counsel, attorney Michael Dean with financial support from Alliance Defending Freedom.
"I think the city quickly realized that the prior efforts to prevent storefront churches were unconstitutional. We appreciate Milwaukee's willingness to right a wrong and for its cooperation in this settlement," said Mauck and Baker attorney Noel Sterett. "Harvest Covenant Church can now move forward and worship in its own space."
For press inquiries, contact Attorney Noel W. Sterett at 312-726-6454 or nsterett@mauckbaker.com and Attorney John Mauck at 312-853-8709 or jmauck@mauckbaker.com.
