The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a religious liberty case from Kentucky. It is the first case accepted for the court’s new term, which begins Monday.

The case comes from Park Hills, Kentucky. The Missionaries of St. John the Baptist want to expand their shrine at Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel. The shrine honours the Virgin Mary’s 1858 appearances in Lourdes, France.

The local zoning board approved the plan in 2021. Neighbours Joel and Elizabeth Frederic sued, arguing the grotto would bring more traffic and parking problems.

Kentucky’s highest court ruled against the church last year. It said the board had exceeded its authority in granting the variance.

The justices will now decide whether the ruling placed a “substantial burden” on religious practice. The case tests a federal law that protects religious groups from unfair zoning rules.

The church building itself was built before the county passed its zoning ordinance in 1974. Legal groups say the ruling could affect thousands of religious groups nationwide.