Bench removal banned by courts

Source: Notinuf Legrum

A decision handed down by the Maryland Court of Appeals on Friday will prevent the removal of five rows of benches in the Chevy Chase Wardhouse. The church facilities management group planned to remove the benches later this week in an effort to accommodate members of the congregation with long legs. Maryland state law requires owners of historic structures to apply for a certificate from a local preservation board before making “significant changes” to a building. The Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission denied the church’s application, and the church later appealed the Commission’s decision to the Maryland District Court.

Russ B. had this to say about the court’s decision: “They just don’t understand what it’s like to be tall and have to sit in those benches. It’s worse than being on an airplane!”

Fellow long leg-er Micah E., who is regularly seen sitting on the front row where leg space is ample, stated, “Sometimes I don’t even want to sit in the front. It’s kind of too-close-for-comfort with the speakers, if you know what I mean.”

The church hoped that by removing five rows and adjusting the distance between all the benches would allow for several extra inches of space in each row. The facilities management group also planned on building innovative, space-saving storage for hymn books under the benches to free up an additional three inches of space used by book holders currently in place on the back of the benches.

A representative from the Commission suggested that removing the benches would destroy the historical quality of the structure. “These benches have been in place for many, many years, back before people had long legs. Any alteration would seriously compromise the integrity of the site.”

The Maryland courts agreed and denied the church’s protest that the commissions actions were unreasonable. General counsel for the LDS church, Elder Wickman, plans to review the court’s decision and discuss further appeals with local attorneys during an upcoming visit. He will also participate with local leaders in stake conference meetings.