What is considered a church in Missouri?

I am interested in starting a ministry. My question is, what does the State of Missouri.

Edit: My question is, what does the State of Missouri consider a church to be?

[annjd]

Some hopefully helpful info:

Under V.A.M.S. 352.400 which defines religious organization in respect to reporting child abuse. *"Religious organization"*, any society, sect, persuasion, mission, church, parish, congregation, temple, convention or association of any of the foregoing, diocese or presbytery, or other organization, whether or not incorporated, that meets at more or less regular intervals for worship of a supreme being or higher power, or for mutual support or edification in piety or with respect to the idea that a minimum standard of behavior from the standpoint of overall morality is to be observed, or for the sharing of common religious bonds and convictions; V.A.M.S. 313.005 which defines religious organization in respect to gaming activities. (11) *"Religious organization"*, any organization, church, body of communicants, or group, gathered in common membership for mutual support and edification in piety, *worship* and *religious* observances. Such an organization may be a society of individuals united for religious purposes at a definite place. In order to qualify as a religious organization, no part of the net earnings of the organization may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or any individual member of such organization. *Religious* organizations shall maintain an established place of *worship*within this state and shall have a regular schedule of services or meetings at least on a weekly basis. Religious organizations must have obtained an exemption from the payment of federal income taxes as provided by section 501(c)(3) or section 501(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended;

CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREPARATORY, INC., Appellant, v.CITY OF CREVE COEUR, et al., Respondents
-This case held that a school with a religious affiliation was not a church, and was not exempt from complying with zoning ordinances. To be a church
the structure needs to be primarily used as a public place of worship.

... it seems that "primarily used as a place of public worship" is what is required to be classified as a church.

Lastly, 62 ALR.3d 197 provides: *II. What constitutes "church" or "place of worship"* *§ 4. Generally*

The following definitions or similar observations as to what constitutes a "church" or "place of worship" within the meaning of a zoning ordinance were
expressly stated in the cases cited.

A church is something more than merely a building in which the actual religious services are held. Corporation of Presiding Bishop, etc. v Ashton
(1968) 92 Idaho 571, 448 P2d 185.

The right to erect and use a modern church building may in a proper case include a parking lot for the use of members in attending church services and any meetings held by the church, and all such rooms and facilities under one roof as ordinarily form and constitute a part of the building or equipment and are deemed necessary or useful in connection with a modern church of the particular denomination involved. Keeling v Board of Zoning Appeals (1946) 117 Ind App 314, 69 NE2d 613.

A building may be erected for church purposes other than those connected with divine worship, and any building intended to be used primarily for purposes connected with the faith of a religious organization may be said to be used for church purposes; the word "church" applies not only to a building used for worship, but to any body of Christians holding and propagating a particular form of belief. Board of Zoning Appeals v Wheaton (1948) 118 Ind App 38, 76 NE2d 597.

A church is a building set apart for public worship, especially Christian worship, but the conclusion does not follow that every place in which religious services are conducted is a church. Portage Township v Full Salvation Union (1947) 318 Mich 693, 29 NW2d 297, app dismd 333 US 851, 92 L Ed 1133, 68 S Ct 735, reh den 334 US 830, 92 L Ed 1757, 68 S Ct 1336.

A church, in the common understanding of the meaning of that word, is a building set apart for public worship. Sexton v Bates (1951) 17 NJ Super 246, 85 A2d 833, affd 21 NJ Super 329, 91 A2d 162.

A church is more than merely an edifice affording people the opportunity to worship God. Community Synagogue v Bates (1956) 1 NY2d 445, 154 NYS2d 15, 136 NE2d 488 Diocese of Rochester v Planning Board of Brighton (1956) 1 NY2d 508, 154 NYS2d 849, 136 NE2d 827.

The concept of what constitutes a church has changed from a place of worship alone, used once or twice a week, to a church used during the entire week, nights as well as days, for various parochial and community functions.

UnitarianUniversalist Church v Shorten (1970) 63 Misc 2d 978, 314 NYS2d 66.

The ordinary meaning of the term "church" contemplates a place or edifice consecrated to religious worship where people join together in some form of public worship. Re Appeal of Upper St. Clair Township Grange (1959) 397 Pa 67, 152 A2d 768 Gallagher v Zoning Bd. of Adjustment (1963) 32 Pa D & C 669.

Under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, the term "church" must be given the most inclusive and all-embracing definition; since what may be a sacred church building to one denomination or religious sect may not meet the test of another denomination or group, any building in which a religious group or sect worships God according to its own practice is a church. Appeal of Stark (1950) 72 Pa D & C 168, 98 Pittsb Leg J 361.