Suspected Swinger's Church Denied Re-Zoning

North Huntingdon Township zoning board members took action Tuesday night and shut down an alleged swinger's club.

The Rev. John Ondrik and his wife, who were both suspected of operating the building as a swinger's club, were asking that the Turner Valley Road building be recognized as a church, which could have led to a tax exemption.

However, lawmakers voted against re-zoning the building.

"Commercial activities, businesses in that zoning district are not permitted," said township solicitor John Campfield. "So, that's the essence of the board's decision."

A Web site claimed that a swinger's club was being run out of Ondrik's Church of Spiritual Humanism.

Neighbors had been complaining about sewage problems, trash, noise and late-night meetings.

"No matter what this guy says, he tried to convert it into a church just to escape taxes," said neighbor Bob Marincic. "We're all taxpayers. We work hard, and it's about time they have to be accountable and held accountable, you know, for running a business."

The Ondriks have 30 days to appeal the board's decision.

Previous Stories: September 5, 2008: Some Think Westmoreland Co. Church Front For Swingers Club