BELFAST, Maine — In a decision that has sparked reflection on religious freedom, civic fairness, and what it means to be a welcoming community, the Belfast City Council reversed its earlier denial and granted a local church permission to hold two public events at Steamboat Landing Park.
The reversal came after spirited public debate and heartfelt appeals, most notably from the Belfast Bible Church pastor himself.
What began as a routine permit request quickly became a flashpoint for discussions surrounding the separation of church and state — and ultimately, a broader conversation about inclusion and the city’s identity.
The saga began when Belfast Bible Church submitted a formal request in June to host a pair of outreach events at Steamboat Landing Park. The events were intended to introduce the church to the broader Belfast community with Christian music, refreshments, and family activities. A certificate of insurance was included, and the gatherings were slated for July and September, with each scheduled from noon to 2 p.m.
But at its July 1 meeting, the City Council denied the request. Councilors Mary Mortier, Paul Dean, and Brenda Bonneville voted against the permit, expressing concern that the event may blur the constitutional line between church and state. Councilor Dean also questioned whether the church even had a legitimate presence in Belfast.
Councilors suggested changes — such as eliminating any overt worship services — and encouraged the church to resubmit the application. The revised request, still aiming to foster community spirit, was again rejected.
At the council’s next meeting on July 15, pastor Rick Stoops of Belfast Bible Church addressed the council during the public comment session. Calm and composed, Stoops corrected misconceptions and gave insight into the group’s intentions and history.
“We’ve been having meetings in Belfast for about six years,” Stoops said. “We’re not new to town.”
The church has been holding Thursday evening meetings weekly at the Crosby Center for the past six months, and before that, met in the homes of local residents. The planned events, Stoops emphasized, were not intended to be religious services but rather family-friendly community gatherings.
“We’re trying to be good neighbors; we’re not trying to be confrontational,” he told the council. “We just want to let people know who we are.”
Stoops added that the group deliberately sought council approval instead of organizing the event informally. His concern was not to sidestep regulations, but to operate transparently, he said.
He expressed disappointment with the original denial, particularly in light of Belfast’s heritage as a haven for those fleeing religious persecution.
Stoops invoked the First Amendment, citing the constitutional protection of religious speech in public forums like parks. He said that as long as faith-based groups adhere to the same guidelines as other organizations, they cannot legally be denied permits based on content.
“Public parks are considered public forums,” he noted. “If other community groups can use them, so can we.”
Stoops also pointed out the inconsistency, stating other churches had been granted similar requests in Belfast, and his group felt “discriminated against” by the council’s earlier vote.
The legal undertones of Stoops’ comments raised the stakes. While he stopped short of threatening litigation, he made clear that his group had consulted with an attorney and was prepared to assert its rights if necessary.
During the communications portion of the July 15 meeting, Councilor Neal Harkness spoke up. Though he acknowledged differences with Stoops, he expressed full agreement with the pastor’s reasoning and sentiments.
“I hear so much that Belfast is a welcoming community — are we?” Harkness asked.
He requested that the council reconsider its vote. In the ensuing discussion, Harkness respectfully challenged previous arguments made by his colleagues, particularly the idea that faith-based use of public space might depend on proximity or the group’s length of time in Belfast.
“There is no more grievous violation of church and state than saying one church can do something and another cannot,” he said.
Mayor Eric Sanders supported the idea that Steamboat Landing Park, as a central and visible location, was appropriate for the events and consistent with the city’s inclusive values.
“Churches are about community,” Sanders noted, adding that even non-religious residents might enjoy free refreshments and children’s activities.
Despite the shift in sentiment, not all councilors changed their minds. Brenda Bonneville and Paul Dean reiterated their opposition, with Bonneville pointing to Stoops’ mention of consultations with legal counsel as a troubling escalation.
“That was over the top,” she said. “That was unnecessary.”
Councilor Mary Mortier, who originally voted against the request, shifted her vote but expressed discomfort with the legal tone of the conversation.
Dean maintained that his objection was never about religion per se, but rather about location and precedent. He questioned whether Belfast Bible Church truly had an established physical presence, given their nontraditional meeting spaces.
Still, Councilor Chris Bitely struck a balanced note.
“It’s hard for me to reconcile that we would allow certain groups to have events that people can choose to walk on by, but not others,” he said. “As long as this is voluntary, I don’t think we have the moral right to disallow it.”
After impassioned discussion and careful deliberation, the council voted 3-2 to approve the Belfast Bible Church’s request. The planned events — currently set for Aug. 23 and Sept. 13 — may shift depending on park availability, but they now have the council’s blessing.
The decision stands as a reminder of the thorny challenges of upholding constitutional rights in local governance, especially when personal beliefs and public responsibility intersect.
In the end, it wasn’t just about a park permit; it was about principle.
Belfast Bible Church holds services each Thursday at the Crosby Center in Belfast.
This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager.