Johnston church settlement reached

February 26, 2016 4:33 pm

By Samantha Fenlon

sfenlon@abc6.com

The Town of Johnston has reached a settlement with a Providence Pastor who filed a federal racial discrimination suit last month after he claimed he was denied use of a church because of the color of his skin.

The church will hold its first service on Sunday after all parties reached an agreement Thursday.

Reverend Chris Abhulime, the pastor of the Kings Tabernacle Church, bought a historic building on Greenville Avenue last year. The settlement announced Friday will finally allow him to use it as a second place of worship.

Prior to the settlement, a zoning board denied the reverend use the building as a church. The pastor claimed that rejection was based on racism.

Last month, the reverend provided ABC 6 News with a recording between Johnston’s building inspector and a contractor. On it, the building official, Bernard Nascenzi, can be heard referring to the pastor as "the [expletive] black owner."

"This became a global issue and we today stand here to be part of the human race and say regardless of what we encounter, regardless of the disagreement that may have happened, we are able to come together and find a resolution," said Reverand Abhulime.

"I want it to be clear that the town of Johnston is a place where all people are welcome and respected regardless of their race, color, creed or religious beliefs," said Mayor Joe Polisena. "We currently have eight minority owned places of worship in our town and we have welcomed them with open arms the same as we are going to welcome the Reverend Chris and the Kings Tabernacle Church."

The worker that made the insensitive comments was put on unpaid leave for 30 days and will have to undergo sensitivity training before returning to the job.

The Reverend says he has accepted that worker’s apology. He says he’s excited to begin the new chapter at the Johnston church this weekend.