No. 21-164October Term 2021Decided Jan 18, 2022Updated Jan 18, 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
- 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.
Documents
Activity
Docket activity2
Opinion added: Opinion
Jan 18, 2022 | Court records
Brief added: Petition
Aug 2, 2021 | Court records
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Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 25, 2026
- Method
- Methodology