Proposed religious site faces opposition from City of Cedarburg

CEDARBURG -- There's controversy over a religious site in the heart of Cedarburg. A Lutheran church wants to build a place for cremated ashes, but the city says no.

Crews were only able to install cabinets before the city learned the church was going ahead with the project without a valid permit.

"You can put one in your house, on your mantle, yard, you just can't sell the niches because only a church can do that," said Rev. Janis Kinens.

Reverend Kinens is referring to where one can freely place cremated remains of their loved ones. For the past four years, the Advent Lutheran Church has been working to build acolumbariumfor its members in a prayer garden in downtown Cedarburg.

Paul Rushing is the architect.

"I poured a lot of time and effort because I think it's a good thing," said Paul Rushing.

But Thursday morning, all work came to a halt when a city inspector told them to cease construction.

The city attorney says this summer the church was told the project would not be permitted due to a state statute defining acolumbariumas a mausoleum - a place that could only be housed in a cemetery.

The pastor disagrees the two are the same.

"It is fair to say the city and the church agree to disagree on the interpretation of the state statute," says City Attorney Michael Herbrand.

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Proposed religious site faces opposition from City of Cedarburg