Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew v. Kent L. Barwick, Constituting the Landmarks Preservation Commission of the City…

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals affirmed the lower courts, holding that the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew's constitutional claim challenging the landmark designation was not ripe for adjudication because the administrative process had not yet been completed and the alleged injury was not concrete. The Court also held that the church's status as a religious institution does not create a special ripeness exception. Justice Meyer dissented, arguing that the designation imposes an immediate injury to the church's free‑exercise rights and that the case is ripe for review.