Mr. MARTY BOURKE (Village Manager): The church had no plans to improve their fire safety. They had no fire alarms. They had no smoke detectors, heat detectors. They didn't have fire-rated doors. About 15 percent of these people that are going to be there have problems with either alcohol or drugs or mental illness. Those are the kind of people that are very difficult to get out of a fire situation.

Unidentified Man #3: This is one of the exit signs and the emergency lighting that was required ...

VALENTE: So far, the church has spent $26,000 on the required safety improvements, but it has balked at going through a lengthy zoning review and has decided to fight that review in court in a case that has broad implications: How and when do zoning laws infringe on a church's religious freedom?

Mr. JOHN MAUCK (Church Attorney): Who controls? Is it the church that controls its own destiny and decides what ministries it will have within its building, or is it the zoning board and the city council that have the final say?

Ms. SCHILSKY: It's one night a week, and it's open from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. I mean, it's not a whole lot different than having a bunch of kids sleep over in a church.

VALENTE: Which is something the church says scout troops and other groups have done in the past without any interference from the village. In addition to the cost of the safety improvements, the church has spent more than $20,000 in legal fees to support its case. Other congregations have offered financial support, but none has offered to take in the homeless from First United Methodist, fearing a similar confrontation with local government.

Rev. PLEAS: Because of all of the discussion that has happened around our site, there's a little trepidation.

Mr. MAUCK: They're trying to help these people because they believe in following Jesus Christ, and this is what Jesus has told them to do. And yet here comes their government saying, "Well, you can't do that. We have to give you permission." And I don't think it's fair to say people can't help the poor unless the government gives them permission, especially when the government interest is so likely to be tinged by self-interests of neighbors who are fearful.

VALENTE: Village officials say religious freedom isn't the question; it's simply that churches must adhere to the same safety and zoning rules as every other public building.

Mr. BOURKE: If there is a change in use or a modification or intensification, they need to come through for a different new permit. That entails a public hearing process before our plan commission and ultimately an ordinance to be passed by the village board.

VALENTE: The public discussions were sometimes bitter. Barbara Lennie is a longtime area resident who never thought she'd be homeless. She attended an angry public meeting on the shelter, and after listening to two hours of tense debate, she stood up and announced she had used the homeless shelter.

Ms. LENNIE: And, boy, I could see all the jaws dropping and people stopping to think what they had said about us for the last two hours. They all figured they knew what we would look like. One woman who was very much against the shelter program was sitting right in front of me, and after I spoke, she got up and turned around and said, "You broke my heart. I don't mind you being here; it's all those other people that I don't want."

Rev. PLEAS: I think this whole issue was a wake-up call to the village of Western Springs. I have said that I think it's providential. I think God is stirring up our own faith within this village, and God is helping us to see that we need to reach out to all persons and not prejudge who belongs in Western Springs and who does not.

VALENTE: If First United Methodist were to apply for a new zoning permit, the permit would probably be granted. But the church feels that taking in the homeless does not change what a church is and that applying for the permit would be to surrender some of its freedom. That is why it is fighting in court. For RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY, I'm Judy Valente in Western Springs, Illinois.