2big2much.org

Opposition to church buildings isn’t limited to temples anymore.

Just as the LDS Church has made inroads into Harlem a few years ago, it is trying to make a comeback of sorts in Washington, D.C. Today, the Washington D.C. stake center is next to the temple in Kensington, Maryland. But the stake was originally located in the District proper, housed in the beautiful and historic Washington D.C. Chapel.

Sadly, the Church sold the chapel to the Unification Church in the 1970s due to high maintenance costs (and I suspect dwindling demographics). But the building still has a stained glass representation of the First Vision and the text “The Glory of God is Intelligence” inscribed outside. (More history here).

Now, the Church is trying to increase its presence in the District. As I understand it, the Church did try to buy the old Washington, D.C chapel back but was unsuccessful. So it has bought land up the street in the very nice neighborhood of East Carter Barron.

Unfortunately, some of the local residents are opposing the building with complaints that it will be too big and make parking worse. Opponents have even launched a slick web site, 2big2much.org, with calls to email local authorities and sign a petition. (The contact page has strangely omitted the group’s email, so there is no way to contact them directly.)

Local news did a story covering the controversy.

While concerns of excessive growth and crowding can be reasonable, the site’s claim that a church will be too burdensome is ridiculous and unfair given that the area is already replete with other churches. The property is zoned for a church and the plans are very accommodating which include underground parking. The site claims that it will have a “steeple protruding 10 stories” but I don’t think the DC temple steeple is even that high.

I doubt that this is a case of antagonism specifically towards Mormons, but the opposition is still unfortunate. The District of Columbia’s 16th Street is a beautiful road with many varied churches. Walking down it is a perfect way to appreciate the rich religious heritage of our nation in its capital. Hopefully, the LDS Church will have a chance to rejoin it’s place there without too much difficulty.