COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — A Columbia church and its affiliates are suing Richland County Council, accusing local leaders of unconstitutionally blocking their $100 million plan to redevelop Dutch Square Mall because of the church’s religious ties.
The lawsuit, filed Sept. 30 in federal court, names the Word of God Church and Ministries International, its community development arm, WOG LLC, and Bishop Eric Davis as plaintiffs.
They claim the county council violated their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights by refusing to allow their proposal to be heard in public meetings, allegedly telling them that “churches need not apply.”…