The Bursa Governor’s Office has ordered that the only church in the city be vacated by Feb. 26, the Radikal daily reported.
According to the report, four Christian communities restored the church between 2002 and 2004, and it was opened for worship after a protocol with the municipality was signed.
The pastor of the Protestant community, İsmail Kulaçoğlu, told Radikal that the protocol expired in 2015 and that the municipality had asked the communities to re-apply. Kulaçoğlu said they received an order to vacate the premises on Feb. 18 after they had re-applied.
The General Directorate for Foundations did not warn the communities beforehand and gave them eight days to leave the church, according to Kulaçoğlu.
The church serves as the only Christian house of worship in the city.