Church Sues Hermon Schools Over Alleged Discrimination

Pines Church claims the school committee rejected its request for a yearlong lease due to its conservative beliefs.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A federal trial has begun in a lawsuit filed by Pines Church against the Hermon School Department. The church alleges the school committee rejected its request for a yearlong lease to use the high school auditorium for Sunday services due to the church's conservative beliefs about sexual identity and contraceptives. The school committee offered a month-to-month lease instead, which the church did not accept. The church claims the board's rejection violated protections under the 1st and 14th Amendments and the Maine Human Rights Act.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between religious organizations and public institutions over issues of discrimination and accommodation. It raises questions about the boundaries of religious freedom and the obligations of public schools to provide equal access to facilities.

The details

Pines Church, now based in Bangor, sued the Hermon School Department in May 2023 after the school committee denied its request for a yearlong lease to use the high school auditorium for Sunday services. The school committee offered a month-to-month lease instead, but the church did not accept. The church claims the rejection violated its constitutional and civil rights protections. A federal trial began on Tuesday, with testimony from the church's pastor, Matt Gioia, and several school committee members. Gioia said he was shocked when the committee asked about the church's beliefs on issues like same-sex marriage and abortion. The school cited concerns about staffing, parking, and potential affiliation with the church's beliefs as reasons for denying the yearlong lease.

  • The church sued the school department in May 2023.
  • The school committee denied the church's request for a yearlong lease in December 2022.
  • The federal trial began on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

The players

Pines Church

A church based in Bangor, Maine that sued the Hermon School Department over the rejection of its request for a yearlong lease to use the high school auditorium for Sunday services.

Hermon School Department

The public school district in Hermon, Maine that denied Pines Church's request for a yearlong lease to use the high school auditorium.

Matt Gioia

The pastor of Pines Church who testified during the federal trial.

Julianne Fleischer

The attorney representing Pines Church in the lawsuit.

Haily Keezer

A former member of the Hermon School Committee who testified about her concerns with how the potential lease was handled.

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What they’re saying

“I just scratched my head and I was asking myself what does this have to do with seeking a lease? I've never been asked these questions from any lease I've ever entered into.”

— Matt Gioia, Pastor, Pines Church (Bangor Daily News)

“I knew it was a violation of our religious freedom. I was shocked when I received these questions and I was confused.”

— Matt Gioia, Pastor, Pines Church (Bangor Daily News)

What’s next

The trial is expected to continue on Wednesday, with testimony from former school committee chairman Jesse Keith.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between religious organizations and public institutions over issues of discrimination and accommodation, raising questions about the boundaries of religious freedom and the obligations of public schools to provide equal access to facilities.