A Columbia church is suing Richland County, claiming that religious discrimination in how the county divided up funds led to the death of its efforts to redevelop Dutch Square Mall.
Word of God Church and Ministries International filed the suit in federal court Sept. 30 after they claim a county council member told them she wouldn’t consider their proposal because it was made by a church.
The church says in the lawsuit that it was in negotiations to purchase the old mall in 2023, hoping to revitalize the area and provide new services to the community…