Church Denied use of City Pool for Baptisms

Carl Stone became the pastor of Living Stones Ministries in Winona MN within the past year. The church did not have a baptistery, so Pastor Stone approached the town park and recreation director, requesting the use of the town pool for baptisms. The request went before the city council and was denied on the grounds of liabilities and separation of church and state. The town did not allow private use of the pool and would have to supply a lifeguard during the baptisms. Special accommodations were considered a violation of the separation of church and state.

Living Stones Ministries will be using local rivers and lakes during the summer and an anonymous motel during the winter.

"Under no intentions did we want to take it to the city council to get headlines," said Pastor Stone. "We laughed it off and certainly didn't get offended by it."

City: Pool can't be used for baptisms