city files lawsuit against downtown church

The city of Great Falls has filed a lawsuit against a downtown church. The suit was filed Friday against 1ST United Methodist Church. The lawsuit says the church is violating city zoning laws by allowing people to live on the property in tents.

The issue has been simmering for a while and in mid May the city told the church they have ten days to remove all the tents, the church ignored the city order.

City officials say the property has about twenty tents and two camping trailers on the property. In the lawsuit filed in Cascade County District Court, it says the property is littered with blankets and other bedding, garbage, garbage bags, food coolers, barbeques and other items indicative of a make-shift organic encampment.

The city says they've been averaging about 30 complaint calls per month about the property over the past several months.