Arlington Heights churches in court over wall
A disagreement over a church wall is leading two Arlington Heights churches to court.
Bethel Pentecostal Church filed suit against Calvary Chapel Ministries in Cook County Circuit Court Wednesday over the Lakewood Chapel at 1307 E. Palatine Road.
According to the suit, Bethel, with its congregation of about 30 families, agreed two years ago to buy half of the chapel for $900,000 and put $200,000 down on the purchase. The sanctuary was to be divided in two by a wall.
Arlington Heights denied a building permit for the wall, and when Lakewood built it anyway, a year ago, without Bethel's approval, village inspectors ordered it torn down, the lawsuit alleges.
As a result, the suit states, "Lakewood has repeatedly interrupted and interfered with Bethel's worship service," including cutting off electricity to Bethel's public-address system and confiscating a podium microphone, with police called to the church "on more than one occasion."
The suit charges breach of contract and seeks restitution of the down payment.
Lakewood Pastor John Elleson declined to comment on the case.