Zoning

College Founded by 'Christian Nationalist' Pastor Claims Religious Discrimination by Zoning Officials

New Saint Andrews College says Moscow, Idaho, officials are imposing special restrictions out of animus against the college's founder, Doug Wilson.

Christian Britschgi | 9.25.2026 3:10 PM

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A small Christian college founded by controversial, self-described "libertarian theocrat" and "Christian nationalist" pastor Doug Wilson claims in a new lawsuit that officials in Moscow, Idaho, are using the city's zoning code to discriminate against its religious mission. 

In a complaint filed in federal court in early September, New Saint Andrews College argues that Moscow officials have imposed on it a long list of permitting requirements, use restrictions, and parking mandates that apply to no other entity in town. 

While other businesses in the downtown are not required to provide any parking, the lawsuit claims, New Saint Andrews must maintain 89 parking spaces. The city has allowed the public University of Idaho to operate an art gallery in the downtown zone, while preventing New Saint Andrews from doing the same, reads the complaint. 

Most recently, Moscow has prevented New Saint Andrews from performing administrative work in office space it rented in the city's........

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