Ohio village has removed a town seal featuring a Christian church

An Ohio village has removed a town seal featuring a Christian church from government buildings, street signs and various documents after objections by a national watchdog group. The Freedom From Religion Foundation says the village of Archbold also has stopped calling itself a “Christian community” on its website. The action followed warnings by the foundation that the seal and motto violated the separation of church and state provisions of the U.S. Constitution. The seal featured a church at the center surrounded by images representing education, farming, forestry and industry. It’s been removed from buildings, signs and village forms and documents, including utility bills. The village website now features a “Live Archbold!” motto superimposed on a state of Ohio shape. The new motto calls Archbold “A Community of Character!”