Belle Mina Churches Claim Major Victory

A judge in Indiana has dismissed a lawsuit viewed as a strategic attempt to silence several Belle Mina, Alabama, congregations, including one from New Haven Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America, as they continue to oppose a controversial limestone quarry in their historic north Alabama community.

The suit, filed by Elephants R Us LLC—one of the entities behind the Belle Mina quarry—sought $1.6 million in damages against Belle Mina Methodist Church, New Beginnings Covenant Ministries, and a local resident. Developers alleged the churches “interfered” with a lease agreement simply by speaking publicly about the quarry’s harmful impacts. The judge dismissed the claim as frivolous, marking a significant victory for the congregations.

The ruling strengthens the position of New Heaven Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America, a plaintiff in ongoing litigation in Limestone County Circuit Court. The CPCA congregation, part of Huntsville Presbytery and pastored by the Rev. Walter J. Jones Sr., is located less than half a mile from the quarry site and has been a leading voice in the opposition.

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Matthew Gore

Matthew H. Gore is a historian and journalist with a deep commitment to preserving and interpreting the past. He holds a BA in History, a BA in Journalism, and an MA in History, all from Western Kentucky University, which honored him with their prestigious James H. Poteet Award. He also pursued doctoral studies at the University of Kentucky. Gore has contributed extensively to both academic and popular publications, specializing in religious history, particularly within the Cumberland Presbyterian tradition. He is best known for his book The History of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Kentucky to 1988 (2000), and his work has also ranged widely, covering subjects as diverse as The Origin of Marvelman (a British superhero of the 1950s and 1960s), the relative scarcity of East German philatelics, and the biography of British pulp artist Denis McLoughlin. Gore has spent much of his career in service to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where he holds key roles in communications, historical preservation, and publishing. Since 2018, he has served as editor of the Cumberland Presbyterian magazine for the Ministry Council of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church A past president of the Society of Tennessee Archivists, Gore is widely recognized for his leadership in archival work and his passion for sharing the narratives of faith communities with broader audiences.
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