Questions Surround DC's C Street Center

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A Washington, D.C. house used by conservative members of congress as a religious safe house is the target of an IRS complaint. The owner of the house claims it's a church. A group of ministers says it's no such thing, and they want its tax exempt status revoked.

It's a $1.8 million townhouse on C Street Southeast and has been home at times to some of Washington's most powerful Congress members. The refuge for fundamental Christian Congress members holds bible study and prayer services, but it's not open to just anyone.

"Churches generally invite people in and have worshipers come in on a regular basis often for a Sunday morning service or something and there's no such thing related to the C Street house," said Melanie Sloan, Executive Director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

The government watchdog group has long been critical of the C Street Center, which owns the property and its ties to a secretive Christian network known as the Fellowship Foundation.

This week, a group of ministers from Ohio delivered a complaint to the IRS challenging the C Street Center's tax exempt status. One of the pastors who signed the complaint is Eric Williams, pastor of North Congregational United Church of Christ.

"It's a secret. It's a secret organization that is seeking to influence all the powerful and elite again in government, business and military," Williams said.

In its complaint, the group-- which calls itself Clergy VOICE-- said they are challenging the C Street Center's claims because it jeopardizes the separation of church and state granted in the constitution for all "legitimate houses of worship."

The townhouse and its activities came to light after a string of sex scandals. South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford lived there during his days in Congress. Last year after being caught with his Argentine mistress, Sanford said he turned to the C Street house for spiritual counseling.

The IRS would not discuss the complaint or whether it is investigating, saying it would be a violation of federal law. Normally a non-profit would have to file an annual return that's public record, but churches, and therefore the C Street Center is exempt.

Pastor Williams says that allows the house to hide behind a veil of secrecy.

"Nobody has to be told its, finances its activity, its membership. That's it," he said.

"They're open about the fact it's secretive. They blanketly refuse to talk about anything that goes on in the house or how one gets invited to the house," said Sloan.

Last year, the D.C. government revoked part of the house's tax exempt status. Now, 66 percent of the home's property value is taxable-- only 34 percent is tax exempt.

Critics also question the living arrangements with Congress members, who they say pay below market rent, and possibly a violation of House and Senate ethics rules prohibiting gifts over $50.

What public records exist for the C Street Center don't list any phone numbers or contact information. At the townhouse, we rang the call button and knocked on the door. No one was talking.

A person who appeared to be a staff member looked out at us through a double set of doors. That person didn't answer the door nor did anyone else come to answer our questions.