A legal battle is heating up in Maine as Calvary Chapel Belfast continues its fight against the University of Maine System (UMS) over what the church claims is religious discrimination. The congregation is appealing a lower court’s decision that denied their request for a preliminary injunction after UMS rescinded its offer to sell the Hutchinson Center to the church, allegedly due to backlash over the church’s stance on same-sex marriage.
In August 2022, Calvary Chapel Belfast was initially awarded the right to negotiate the purchase of the Hutchinson Center. However, after receiving significant public pressure from various stakeholders—including disappointed bidders, alumni, and local politicians—the university system retracted the offer. The church argues that this decision was driven by animus toward its traditional Christian beliefs.
Liberty Counsel, the legal organization representing Calvary Chapel, states in their appeal that the church was unfairly treated. "Calvary Chapel Belfast rightfully won the University of Maine System’s first bidding process," said Mat Staver, the founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. He emphasized that the church participated in the bidding process in good faith and claimed that UMS unlawfully rescinded their winning bid based on religious beliefs.
The controversy escalated when UMS awarded the property to Waldo Community Action Partners (WCAP), which submitted a higher bid of $3.06 million. The university justified this decision by stating that WCAP’s proposal had no contingencies that could delay the sale, allowing for a timely transition of the property.
Calvary Chapel’s legal team contends that WCAP’s board includes a state senator who has publicly criticized the church, which they argue reflects a pattern of discriminatory treatment by UMS. In their complaint, they assert that the university’s actions represent a conspiracy against the church’s constitutional rights.
Despite the church’s claims, UMS has maintained that all proposals were evaluated fairly and that they had the right to terminate negotiations if they deemed it necessary as a public institution. A statement from the university reiterated that "every organization had the same opportunity to submit a proposal to purchase the Hutchinson Center."
In May 2023, U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann ruled against Calvary Chapel’s request for a preliminary injunction, stating that the church had not provided evidence of religious animus within the university system. The judge noted that the decision to rescind the award was based on standard factors, including cost savings, rather than any discriminatory intent.
As the appeal moves forward, the case raises important questions about religious freedom and discrimination in public institutions. The outcome could set a significant precedent for how religious organizations are treated in similar situations across the country.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to trusted Christian news sources like Christian Headlines and The Christian Post.