Megachurch Lawsuit Receives DOJ’s Blessing

Lawsuits involving zoning applications rarely make headlines, but the involvement of the Department of Justice and a major North Carolina “megachurch” has generated considerable interest in one of these cases. The case involves the Summit Church, a Baptist Evangelical organization with 12 campuses across the Tar Heel State. It regularly attracts over 10,000 people per week, and one journalist recently described it as the “Walmart of the Evangelical Set.” 

The Summit Church’s New Plans for Another Megachurch

The Summit Church plans to build its next megachurch on a 100-acre parcel of land in Chatham County, North Carolina. If completed, the church would feature a seating capacity of 1,200 with 500 parking spots, a sports court, a playground, and a grass playing field. The structure is supposed to span 82,000 square feet. 

While this might sound impressive, it is only the latest addition to an already sprawling presence in Chatham County. The Summit Church follows a “multi-site” strategy, based on what its leaders call “spatial necessity.” According to them, their organization attracts too many followers for a single church. They now have 12 locations across 10 campuses in Raleigh-Durham for their 12,000 members. 

The Summit Church has a lengthy page where it discusses whether a multi-site approach is “biblical,” quoting Corinthians in an effort to convince readers that no single church could have housed more than 3,000 people in ancient Jerusalem during the time of Christ and his disciples. 

What is This Lawsuit All About?

Chatham County rejected the Summit Church’s application to build the new megachurch, prompting its leadership to sue the county on the grounds of religious discrimination. Chatham County immediately attempted to have the lawsuit dismissed, arguing that the government had sovereign immunity in this situation. Officials also state that they have the right to make zoning decisions without worrying about violating the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. 

While the outcome of this case is not clear, the Department of Justice’s involvement is notable. In April of 2025, the DOJ filed a “statement of interest” supporting the church’s lawsuit and opining that the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act applies in this situation. This is a federal law that the new administration has taken very seriously. 

Zoning Laws to Keep the Area Rural?

County officials seem to be concerned about the area’s rural character. They worry that with so many megachurches springing up in their neighborhood, the Summit Church might eventually become more influential and important than the government itself. They are also worried about a constant influx of “outsiders” who need to attend gatherings at one of the church’s 12 locations. 

The Church’s leaders have spoken about plans to build many other churches throughout the area, and this could represent only the beginning of a much greater network of megachurches throughout the Raleigh-Durham area. If you believe the text on the Summit Church’s own website, they plan to build 1,000 churches by 2050. 

Is this really religious discrimination, or is this simply an effort by local county officials to preserve the character of their neighborhood? This lawsuit may go to trial, and the courts may answer this question in the end. 

The Goal of the Universal Life Church’s Blog

Each month, various cases test the nature of religious rights in this country. While the basis for many religious rights is the United States Constitution, there are still countless cases that question the exact nature of these rights. The Universal Life Church’s blog is focused on documenting the most noteworthy of these cases in an objective manner that can be easily understood by readers.