Congregation Ben Jacob v. City of Detroit

This is a suit to enjoin the collection of taxes on a parcel of real estate located in the city of Detroit.

The facts are not in dispute. Plaintiff is an eleemosynary corporation. On June 7, 1939, it purchased and took possession of certain real estate in the city of Detroit and from and after that date it has used this property as a house of worship. The defendant city of Detroit assessed taxes against this property which were payable July 15, 1939.

Plaintiff filed a bill of complaint praying for a decree declaring the tax null and void. The defendants filed separate motions to dismiss…