Capitol Hill Baptist Church v. Bowser — U.S. District Court, D.D.C.

Case summary

Capitol Hill Baptist Church v. Bowser, No. 1:20-cv-02710 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, was filed September 22, 2020 by the church against Mayor Muriel Bowser, in her official capacity, and the District of Columbia. The church sought to enjoin enforcement of the District's COVID-19 restrictions insofar as they prevented it from holding socially distanced outdoor worship services with masks, arguing the restrictions violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, 42 U.S.C. § 2000bb, among other laws. On October 9, 2020 the court granted the motion for injunctive relief, finding the church likely to succeed on its RFRA claim. The church voluntarily dismissed the action on July 8, 2021 after the parties reached a full and final settlement.

Case at a glance

What did the court decide?

That the church is likely to succeed in proving the District's actions violate RFRA: the restrictions substantially burden its exercise of religion, and the District had not offered evidence at that stage of a compelling interest in preventing outdoor meetings with appropriate precautions, or that the prohibition is the least-restrictive means. The court granted the motion for injunctive relief.

What does the complaint say the dispute is about?

That the church's doctrinal requirement of a weekly gathering of its entire congregation conflicts with the Mayor's prohibition on religious gatherings of more than 100 people, indoors or out, and that its members voted to sue after a six-month ban on its religious gatherings.

How did the case end?

With a notice of voluntary dismissal filed July 8, 2021 stating that the parties had reached a full and final settlement of the matter.

Summary written from the documents on this page; every sentence is sourced.