Covenant News

Pilgrim Pines Seeks to Save Tax-Exempt Status

CONCORD, NH (April 19, 2001) - Pilgrim Pines Conference Center had its day in court this week before the New Hampshire State Supreme Court in its battle to retain its tax-exempt status as a church-operated camp.

The Town of Swanzey, in which the conference center is located, contends the camp does not have a charitable purpose and should not be considered tax-exempt. The town has been levying taxes against the property since November 1996, claiming the camp owes approximately $300,000 in back taxes. Pilgrim Pines is seeking reversal of a 1999 lower court decision ordering payment of those taxes.

Legal counsel for both the conference center and the town appeared before a five-justice panel on Tuesday. Most observers expect a decision will require several months to finalize.

Pilgrim Pines was opened in 1957 and no taxes were levied until 1996, according to Bob De Jong, executive director. Church-run camps have been entitled to property tax exemptions in all cases, says De Jong, who argues that there is no legal ground for the town to tax Pilgrim Pines.

The state Supreme Court said that wording in the tax exemption law is confusing and indicated it may ask that the law be rewritten amended by the legislature, according to De Jong. In the meantime, De Jong says the conference center will continue to expand its ministry. Besides serving Covenant churches throughout the East Coast Conference, the conference center is working on programs to assist local agencies in Swanzey and surrounding communities.

"We have really appreciated the unbelievable prayer support we've had from both the Covenant family and the larger Christian camping family across the country," said De Jong, who has been the executive director at Pilgrim Pines for nearly eight years. "There are 1,000-plus member camps and all the different municipalities are watching this case. If this passes, there will be many communities sending tax bills to conference centers in their areas.

"This case has given us great opportunity to communicate our ministry and purposes to help people through the tool of Christian camping," De Jong continued. "Many new relationships have started and grown because of it. We would appreciate the ongoing prayers until a decision has been reached."

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