Church or Wedding Venue? Group Says Township Broke Federal Law by Curbing Wedding Ceremonies

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Dimondale church fights occupancy limits after wedding fines, citing federal protections

Property marketed as “The Tarrington” for ceremonies while congregation seeks full worship rights under the First Amendment and RLUIPA

Seats filled for three September weddings at a longtime church site in Dimondale. Days later, Windsor Township posted nine citations totaling 4,500 dollars, according to the congregation and its lawyers. “We are a legitimate church with a legitimate religious purpose. That is why we bought the building, and we just want to be able to operate,” a church owner told WILX at a July 23 meeting. (https://www.wilx.com)

First Liberty Institute sent a demand letter on October 22, 2025, asking the township to withdraw the citations and confirm that services, weddings, funerals, and Bible studies may proceed. The group says a temporary certificate of occupancy limits the site to Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 7 to 10 a.m., with a 50-person cap. Catholic News Agency reported the same limits and said the fines stemmed from three weddings. (First Liberty)

The building’s owners also market the property as a wedding venue. WeddingWire lists “The Tarrington” in Dimondale as a church setting for ceremonies and receptions. The Knot shows a starting price of 4,900 dollars and a seating range of 201 to 250 guests. (WeddingWire)

The church’s argument centers on equal treatment and burden. Under the Free Exercise Clause, governments may enforce neutral and generally applicable rules. Under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, a town cannot treat religious assemblies worse than comparable secular halls or place a substantial burden on religious exercise without a compelling reason and the least restrictive means. Those standards often decide disputes over zoning, occupancy, and use. (First Liberty)

At a July meeting, residents urged a quick resolution. “They just want to have a church. That’s all they want to do,” one attendee said. A township attorney responded that “no building permits were pulled during renovations.” WILX reported that the board took no final action that night.

Fox 47 spoke with owners Austin and Eliza Hamilton, who said a temporary permit leaves them “just 10 hours a week for prayer services and Bible studies” and that larger activities remain blocked. The station reported township leaders did not respond before airtime. (FOX 47 News Lansing – Jackson (WSYM))

Local coverage and venue listings now sit side by side. The venue pages present the site as a bookable location for ceremonies and receptions. The news reports describe a congregation seeking to continue worship at a church that served the community for decades. The township’s classification and permitting path will likely decide which rules apply.

Analysis

The legal questions are concrete. First, equal terms. If reception halls with similar occupancy and parking can host large gatherings with fewer limits, stricter rules for a church raise RLUIPA issues. Second, substantial burden. Cutting church use to narrow time blocks or capping attendance at 50 could burden religious exercise, which requires the township to show a specific safety rationale and a less restrictive approach. Third, process. Courts look for objective criteria. Long delays, shifting conditions, and one-off discretion can weigh against a town’s position. The venue marketing cuts both ways. It may support the church’s view that weddings are part of ministry, yet it also gives the township an argument that the use resembles an event center with different traffic or staffing needs. Expect any lawsuit to compare this property with nearby reception venues and to test whether the fire and building data justify the limits. (Catholic News Agency)

The owners say they want a negotiated fix. “Every time they give us something we need to do, we do it, and they give us something else,” Austin Hamilton told Fox 47. The demand letter set a 14-day window for a response. If talks fail, attorneys say they will seek an injunction and fees. (FOX 47 News Lansing – Jackson (WSYM))

SOURCES –

Tags: Dimondale church occupancy dispute, RLUIPA Michigan, Windsor Township zoning, wedding venue listing, Free Exercise Clause

TL/DR:

A Dimondale church that hosted three weddings in September says Windsor Township is unlawfully restricting worship and ceremonies. The owners told WILX they “just want to be able to operate,” while a township attorney said no permits were pulled during renovations. First Liberty Institute sent a demand letter on October 22, 2025, seeking withdrawal of nine citations totaling 4,500 dollars and permission to hold services, weddings, funerals, and Bible studies. The church is also marketing the property as “The Tarrington,” a wedding venue. Under the First Amendment and RLUIPA, towns cannot treat religious assemblies worse than comparable secular venues or place substantial burdens on religious exercise without a compelling reason and the least restrictive means. Any court fight will likely hinge on equal treatment, the size and safety data behind the 50-person cap, and whether venue-style use changes the zoning analysis.

AI Disclaimer: This article was prepared with the help of an AI assistant using cited sources. It is for information only and not legal advice.

Category: Current Events

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