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Public voices urge Livingston Council to let Buddhist group buy historic Federated Church
Summary
Multiple speakers—including members and volunteers of a Buddhist organization and neighbors—asked the Township Council to reconsider a planned public acquisition of the Federated Church and allow the American Association of Buddhist Education (AABEE/EEBP) to proceed, offering to fund repairs and cemetery care at no cost to taxpayers.
Dozens of public commenters on June 22 urged the Livingston Township Council to let a Buddhist congregation acquire the historic Federated Church rather than proceed with a township buyout.
Jurey Shee, who identified himself as a monk raised in the Congregational Church, said the church "became a sacred place" during generations of worship and argued the property should remain a house of prayer. He told the council the proposed civic acquisition would convert a sacred trust into a civic asset and asked the body to "reflect carefully on what will be lost."
Feng, a volunteer with the EEBP Buddhist Temple, presented a detailed seven‑point stewardship plan for the property and said the temple would "fully fund repairs to the inside and outside of the church building," protect the cemetery, open community space for senior activities and multicultural gatherings, improve the parking lot, and cover "every single dollar for these upgrades" so the project would cost "Livingston taxpayers absolutely nothing."
Supporters from outside town also spoke. Jody Walker recounted how the organization provided around‑the‑clock support to her family during a hospice stay and called AABEE "a vital pillar of care, culture, and education." Abby, who described a 25‑year relationship with the temple, said the congregation’s programs provide companionship and end‑of‑life care for immigrants and elderly residents.
At least one speaker said the congregation had negotiated in good faith: deposits were paid, inspections completed and a purchase had been under discussion with the church for months. Several speakers urged the council to explore public‑private partnerships or permit the sale so the building could remain a place of worship.
Council members responded that the township has been pursuing purchase options since July 2024 and that the municipality is the contract purchaser; a council member emphasized the council's intent was not to exclude any group and highlighted Livingston’s diversity. The speaker said the purchase stemmed from civic ideas for the property rather than an effort to keep any religion out of town.
The council did not take a formal vote on the church at the June 22 meeting; council members said the transaction is largely complete and that additional steps or alternatives could be considered in future sessions.
What happens next: The council did not adopt a new policy at the meeting; interested parties and officials indicated further consultation and potential follow‑up could occur in subsequent meetings.
