Commonwealth Policy Center

A federal judge upheld a Louisville church’s religious freedom. Just before Easter, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer ordered Louisville churches to not have drive-in services. At the same time, he allowed other drive-through services at restaurants and liquor stores to continue. In response, On-Fire Christian Church sued to block the order. U.S. District Judge Justin Walker struck down Fischer’s order and ruled that the city of Louisville couldn’t keep churches from having drive-in services on Easter, Walker wrote: “Unless the Court enters this Temporary Restraining Order, the members of On Fire will suffer irreparable harm. The government plans to substantially burden their religious practice on one of the most important holidays of the Christian calendar, Easter Sunday.” Walker went on to say “If beer is ‘essential,’ so is Easter.”