Bates v. Grace United Methodist Church

Carl Bates, Jr., commenced the instant action against the Grace United Methodist Church alleging that he sustained bodily injuries as a result of negligence in the maintenance of slippery snow-covered sidewalks on the premises of the parsonage. The church responded by denying any negligence on its part, and by alleging that the slip and fall was the result of plaintiffs contributory negligence. The issue on appeal is whether the trial court erred by granting the defendants motion for summary judgment and dismissing the plaintiffs claim. We hold that on the basis of the pleadings, affidavits and deposition before the trial court, no genuine issue of material fact was established regarding the alleged negligence of the church. Therefore, the trial court did not err in granting the summary judgment.