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No. 21-164October Term 2021Decided Jan 18, 2022Updated Jan 18, 2022

Docket 21-164October Term 2021 (2021–2022)

Trustees of New Life in Christ Church v. Fredericksburg

This case is about whether a Virginia city could deny a church a property-tax exemption for a residence occupied by two people the church says are its ministers.

Case status

Decided · January 18, 2022

Read the opinion (PDF)
Current stage
Decided
Latest event
Decision released Jan 18, 2022
Case Accepted
Arguments
Decision ReleasedJan 18, 2022
What it's about

This case is about whether a Virginia city could deny a church a property-tax exemption for a residence occupied by two people the church says are its ministers. The dispute centers on whether government officials and courts may interpret church rules for themselves to decide who counts as a minister.

Question presented

1. Whether a Virginia city could deny a church a property-tax exemption for a residence occupied by two people the church says are its ministers? 2. Whether government officials and courts may interpret church rules for themselves to decide who counts as a minister?

Case path

Supreme Court of Virginia / Decision released Jan 18, 2022

Area

Business and Regulation

Timing

Decided January 18, 2022

The Court released its decision on January 18, 2022 without hearing oral argument.

Activity

Docket activity2
  • Opinion added: Opinion

    Jan 18, 2022 | Court records

  • Brief added: Petition

    Aug 2, 2021 | Court records

Grounding

Grounding
Primary-source trail available.
Note
Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
Checked
Jul 25, 2026
Primary materials5