Calvary Chapel Belfast in Maine is suing the University of Maine System (UMS) for canceling the church’s winning bid on a property sale after losing bidders protested the church’s religious beliefs.

The church formerly rented space in the Hutchinson Center, a building no longer used by UMS students. After UMS authorized its sale, the church offered a winning bid against two competitive offers. The church planned to use the space for larger worship services and homeschool co-op expansion while growing its addiction-recovery outreach and building a literacy program for people with disabilities. Belfast is a city of around 6,000 along the central Maine coast.

On Aug. 15, UMS announced the church’s winning bid after presenting an opportunity to the church to negotiate the acquisition.

The suit alleged that locals and two losing bidders conspired to prevent the church from acquiring the space by attacking the church’s beliefs, including sexuality and marriage, through letters of protest to UMS.

Initially, UMS stood by its decision, stating in a press release, “The university cannot discriminate, including on the basis of religion. Doing so would be against the law and inconsistent with the university’s commitment to inclusion.” 

After pushback continued, USM withdrew the award in September.

Representing Calvary Chapel Belfast, Liberty Counsel attorneys filed a lawsuit against USM. The complaint argued that USM violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment by religious discrimination since “defendants have deprived Plaintiff Calvary Chapel Belfast of equal protection of the laws … through a policy and practice that treats Plaintiff differently from similarly situated persons because of Plaintiff’s religious status and beliefs.” The complaint states that the church is “similarly situated to other respondents to purchase the Hutchinson Center property, as all bidders participated in the same competitive bidding process.”

The complaint also argues that the First Amendment was violated. 

“The University of Maine System violated the First Amendment by discrimination against a church because of its Christian beliefs. Such discrimination is unlawful,” Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said in a press release. “Calvary Chapel Belfast participated in the bidding processes in good faith, but the university unlawfully discriminated against the church’s religious beliefs. It is a sad day when government officials violate the Constitutional rights of its citizens. This is a costly mistake for the University of Maine System.” 

To inhibit the center’s sale as legal action continues, Liberty Counsel is fighting for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction. The motion document argues an injunction is essential to “prevent irreparable harm to the Church’s interests, protect its constitutional rights, and uphold public confidence in the integrity of the procurement process.”

Photo: Calvary Chapel Belfast Facebook