Court Holds Church Can Tear Down Historic Rectory

In Stamford, Connecticut, a state trial court judge on Wednesday refused to enjoin St. Andrew's Episcopal Church from tearing down its its 136-year old rectory building. The Stamford Advocate reports that in a 26-page opinion the court rejected the challenge brought under a rarely used state law that allows any citizen to sue to prevent the "unreasonable" destruction of historic buildings. In denying the temporary injunction. the court concluded that there is no feasible or affordable alternative to the church's arrangement with a real estate developer.