Church-state issues cloud use of casino money in Missouri

Thursday, Dec. 7, 2000 | 4:58 a.m.

But nothing is simple in the arena of church-state relations, and the city faces possible legal action by a watchdog group - Americans United for Separation of Church and State - if it follows through on the plan.

Americans United contends the grants would amount to public support of places of worship.

"Be assured because the principle of separation of church and state is at stake in this matter. Americans United is prepared to protect it at all costs," said the Rev. Rudy Pulido, president of the organization's St. Louis chapter.

This week, the City Council postponed a vote approving the grants to the churches while city attorney Paul Wooldridge seeks an opinion from the state attorney general.

The $850,000 was paid to the city earlier this year by Isle of Capri Casinos Inc., the Mississippi-based company that is building mid-Missouri's first floating casino on Boonville's riverfront.

Boonville officials saw the windfall as a potential source of support for the city's many historic buildings and the groups that work to preserve them. The mayor appointed a panel - the 850K Committee - to make recommendations to the City Council for spending the money.

The committee backed an application from the 108-year-old St. Matthew's African Methodist Episcopal Church, which would use $85,000 for everything from cleaning bricks to replacing the steeple. Also supported was a $25,000 grant to the First Presbyterian Church of Boonville, built in 1833, to replace a roof.

Wooldridge believes the city cannot give public money to the churches.

"This is not a judgment on my part, it's a well-established rule by case law and Constitution," he said.

City Councilman Bill Sullivan said he would "probably agree that we can't give to the churches."

But Bob Pushaw, professor of constitutional law at the University of Missouri, said it's not improper for a government entity to fund a neutral secular program, such as historical preservation, and donate the money to any buildings, including churches.

"One might argue that this is government support of establishment of religion, but I don't think that argument is the correct one," Pushaw said. "This deals with the secular view of historic preservation, not the unconstitutional one of aiding religion."

Leaders of the two churches remain caught in the middle.

"We deeply regret the upheaval this has caused in the city," said the Rev. Jeff Martin of the First Presbyterian Church. "This was not our intention when we applied for this in September. Our understanding was that it wouldn't be a problem."

The Rev. Edwin Donaldson of St. Matthews AME Church had encouraged his congregation to attend the City Council meeting Monday night at which the grants were up for vote.

"We're not asking the City Council to approve our religion," Donaldson said. "We're only asking for the money to be used to maintain a historical building."