Church asks council to reverse denial of Allegheny Street closure; borough offers alternate sites

Members of the Hollidaysburg Christian and Missionary Alliance Church urged borough council on Monday to approve a street‑closure permit for a downtown worship service planned for July 5.

"We were told that the borough is trying to refrain from closing Allegheny Street," Mark, an attorney and church member, told council during the public‑comment period, asking for a motion that night to approve the closure and noting the church has insurance and volunteers to man barricades. Vincent Eilenberg, pastor of the Hollidaysburg Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, read a short history of the congregation and said the downtown service would "reconnect us with our history" and allow the congregation to "peacefully assemble to worship."

Council staff replied that the borough has a standing policy reserving Allegheny Street and the diamond for borough‑sponsored events such as farmers markets, parades and other borough productions. "The borough does not allow any group other than the borough to close Allegheny Street," a presiding council member said, adding that the borough can make alternatives available: Canal Basin Park or Chimney Rocks Park.

The council did not vote on the permit during public comment. Church representatives said they would consider the offered locations but asked the borough to treat their request consistently with how other community events are handled.

The matter may return to council if the church pursues a formal application or if staff identifies an administrative path for a downtown closure. For now, the borough’s policy remains that the diamond and Allegheny Street are reserved for borough events.