Pastor Ross is a Guest Editorialist
with the Daily Herald Newspaper, Naperville, IL.
Rev. Ross is pastor of the Philip R. Cousin AME Church in Naperville

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"Come and go with me to my Father's house. There is joy, joy, joy!"

About 40 people gathered inside the City Council chambers at the Naperville Municipal Center Friday to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the PhilipR. Cousin African Methodist Episcopal Church. While the service commemorated the church's anniversary, it also marked another milestone. The Naperville church, which rents space from Truth Lutheran Church at 110 S. Washington St., became the first to hold a worship service inside the municipal building.

"It's just exciting," said Pastor Barbara Ross. "God just did it way beyond what I imagined. He just worked it out."

To help celebrate the event, Ross invited the Right Rev. Philip R. Cousin — the church's namesake and bishop of all AME churches — to deliver the sermon.

"I can imagine when we leave here tonight, this place — it will never be the same," said Cousin.

Perhaps enough goodness and spirit of the Holy Ghost will remain, encircling and lifting up those who use the Council Chambers in the future, he said.

"We thank the city for the privilege of allowing us to be here in City Hall," said Cousin, who lives in Bolingbrook and had the honor of eulogizing Rosa Parks in recent weeks.

Four months ago this would not have been possible, as the city's meeting room use policy prohibits religious services at the Municipal Center and other public places. At Naperville Township, the policy was the same.

But when Ross asked to use of one of the township's meeting rooms in August for a church group, her request set in motion a series of steps that led to legal review of the policies and eventual change.

"It's a shame the Rev. Ross had to struggle to find a meeting place," said Sarah Klaper, community lawyer for the Citizen Advocacy Center. "Freedom of religion is one of the cornerstones of our democracy, and freedom of expression is another cornerstone of our democracy. And it shouldn't have to come to a community lawyer stepping in for this to happen."

In August, Klaper expressed concerns about the township's meeting room use policy, sending a letter to Township Supervisor George Porter stating the policy is unconstitutional. She asked township officials to review and change the policy so it complied with the First Amendment.

Earlier that month township officials expressed concerns about a request from Ross to use a room at the township's Administration Building, at 139 Water St. Although the township makes meeting space available to community groups, the policy stated the rooms were not to be used for religious services.

Ross originally requested space for a Bible study, but after learning that it would likely be rejected because of the policy, she verbally asked if the space could be used for a seniors group. Trustees asked for an outline or agenda from Ross detailing what a typical seniors group meeting would entail. They wanted to know if meetings would involve religious study or education.

A short time later, Klaper sent her letter to the township, saying use of the rooms by religious groups is protected as free speech. By asking Ross to submit an agenda, the township was making a decision based on religion and religious speech, which violates the First Amendment, she said.

"Free meeting space is incredibly hard to find in DuPage County," Klaper said Friday night. "And it shouldn't be restricted based on what you're going to say."

In November the township board approved changes to its policy allowing for worship services. In the meantime, the city also reviewed its policy — a document from which the township's policy had been modeled. In September, the City Council voted to allow Ramadan services on municipal property on Naperville's west side. Last month Ross submitted her request to hold the anniversary service at the municipal center.

"We were trying to have different events like this," said church member Loreal Sanders of Wheaton. "I'm so happy that they decided to change their policy."

Sanders attended the service with 3-year-old son, Jason. She attended her first service after reading about the church in the newspaper.

"It felt just like home, so I joined," she said.

Members of the congregation were joined by visitors from eight other AME churches, including DuPage AME in Lisle and Solid Rock AME in Bolingbrook. Representatives from other area churches attended as well.

Ross invited township and city officials to Friday's service. While they were unable to attend, she received letters from both Porter and Mayor George Pradel.

"On behalf of the Township Elected Officials, congratulations to your and your parishioners on reaching this milestone of your ministry here in the greater Naperville area," Porter wrote. "Sincere best wishes for all success in the future as you endeavor to build your congregation. May God bless you and your ministry."

"On behalf of our 140,000 residents of Naperville, we wish to welcome you to our City and in particular to City Hall for your celebration," Pradel wrote. "Naperville is proud to have dedicated people to the spirit of togetherness with the goal of being a community. Your success as a church in our community is anticipated by all of us."

Ross said she "would love" to have more services at the Municipal Center. While she found space for Bible study at North Central College, she said also wants to review the township's revised policy and possibly use meeting space there.

"We're looking forward to working together and everybody being united," Ross said. "That's what it's all about."

Greg Morley / For the Sun
Worshippers dance during the fourth anniversary service of the Philip R. Cousin African Methodist Episcopal Church on Friday in Naperville City Council Chambers. The event was the first religious service to be held in the building since policy was changed earlier this year.

Greg Morley / For the Sun
Pastor Barbara Ross of the Philip R. Cousin African Methodist Episcopal Church leads the congregation in the church's fourth anniversary service Friday. The event was the first worship service inside the municipal building after policy was changed earlier this year to allow religious services.

Pastor Ross can be reached at pastorross@philiprcousinamec.org