In a move that may set a precedent, the Coweta County Board of Commissioners decided last week to allow a little old-time religion on the steps of the county's historic courthouse in Newnan.

The commissioners agreed to let the Gospel of Power Church use the courthouse steps to conduct a prayer rally in May.

While the commissioners acknowledge that they did not know what type of church the Gospel of Power is, they voted 4-0 with Commissioner Lawrence Nelms abstaining to allow the service.

Nelms emphasized that he is a church-going man, but wondered if the move wouldn't open up the county to requests from anti-religious groups.

County attorney Mitch Powell said that is a possibility, but added the county already allows the use of the steps for different groups.

Earlier in the meeting, the county agreed to allow a Taste of Newnan to set up food booths around the courthouse in April and commission Chairman Vernon “Mutt” Hunter said the courthouse had been used by many different groups.

“There's even been political announcements made there,” he said.

Hunter said that any move the county makes is liable to set a precedent, and he didn't see any harm in allowing the church to use the steps.

Nelms pointed out that anybody driving around the court square would be subject to hearing the rally, but county administrator Theron Gay said the county could impose restrictions such as allowing the volume of the loudspeakers to be placed at a certain level.

Commissioner Robert Wood said you could drive throughout the county and see preachers on public right-of-ways waving signs and he didn't have a problem with the county allowing the use of the steps.

After approving the motion, the board instructed Gay to tell the applicant that he would also have to receive permission from the city of Newnan, since the surrounding streets are municipal property.

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