North Arlington school board signals intent to seize parish property
The North Arlington Board of Education has signaled to Queen of Peace Parish in North Arlington, New Jersey, that it intends to seize the parish’s La Salle Center by exercising eminent domain, a governmental authority to take private property for public use. The school board wants to convert the La Salle Center into public school classrooms.
The La Salle Center, located adjacent to the church, plays a vital role in the life of the Queen of Peace parish community. The facility is frequently used for worship, religious education, community gatherings, and other ministry work, especially by Spanish-speaking parishioners.
In a statement released on June 19, the Archdiocese called the board’s move “a deeply troubling and unnecessary development.”
“We have engaged in good-faith discussions with the Board, including exploring the possibility of a lease agreement,” the statement said. “At the same time, we have been clear: the La Salle Center is not for sale.”
A “cost-effective solution”
Steve Yurchak, North Arlington’s Superintendent of Public Schools, confirmed the board’s interest in acquiring the property in a June 22 statement to West Hudson’s The Observer newspaper. Yurchak said that “the board has begun the preliminary legal steps required under New Jersey law to explore eminent domain proceedings.” He also stated that the church property was “optimal” and “a cost-effective solution” for the board’s plans.
When The Observer reached out to the mayor of North Arlington, Daniel H. Pronti, that same day, he appeared to distance himself from the board’s actions, stressing that neither he nor the borough council had control over the elected board of education. “We were not consulted, nor were we asked for our opinion on the process before their decision was made to proceed,” Pronti said.
An issue of church vs. state
If the eminent domain plan is carried out, the action would raise serious First Amendment concerns. “No arm of the government should seize church property that is actively used for religious purposes,” said the Archdiocese of Newark in its statement.
For the Archdiocese, the issue of religious freedom is at stake. “Taking the church’s property would set a dangerous precedent,” said Maria Margiotta, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Newark. “It would be both a legal overreach and a violation of fundamental religious liberty. The government cannot simply claim church property that is actively used for worship, ministry, and community service.”
Recently, local governments in New Jersey have become increasingly aggressive in exercising eminent domain even against religious institutions. When Christ Episcopal Church in Toms River applied to the zoning board to build a much-needed 17-bed homeless shelter on church property, the town rejected the plan. Instead, the town council voted to use eminent domain to seize the property, which it intends to use for a recreation center and pickleball court.
Standing up for religious freedom
The Archdiocese of Newark stated that it will defend Queen of Peace Parish “through all appropriate legal and public channels.” Members of the community and the public at large were encouraged to use all available legal and public channels to oppose the board’s plan and insist that they seek alternatives.
Meanwhile, Father Anthony Di Stefano, pastor of Queen of Peace, has encouraged parishioners to contact the North Arlington Board of Education and to attend the board’s public meetings this summer to “respectfully express your concerns.”
“Queen of Peace Parish has faithfully served the North Arlington community for over a century,” the Archdiocese said. “We stand united in faith, committed to our mission, and resolute in the face of this challenge.”
Featured image: Queen of Peace Parish in North Arlington, New Jersey is pictured on the Feast of Corpus Christi. (Photo: Queen of Peace Church, North Arlington, NJ – Facebook)
