Petition of Alexander

HOFFMAN, Judge:

Appellant contends that when the lower court denied his petition for a change of name it abused its discretion and violated his right of free exercise of religion. Because we find the record barren of any evidence to support the lower court’s denial, we reverse the lower court’s order dismissing appellant’s petition and remand with directions to hold a hearing to permit the Commonwealth to produce material evidence to support its position.

The facts relevant to this appeal are as follows. On June 6, 1977, appellant filed a petition for a change of name in which he alleged that…