For years the Great Falls Town Council has opened its meetings with a prayer that mentions Jesus Christ. But a Federal Appeals Court says that is unconstitutional.

It all started when Darla Kaye Wynne, a Wiccan high priestess, sued the Chester County town after its leaders refused to open meetings with only nonsectarian prayers or allow members of different faiths to lead the prayers. Wynne also claimed she was ostracized for refusing to stand and bow her head during the Christian prayers.

A three-judge panel of The Fourth Circuit Court Of Appeals Thursday unanimously upheld another judge's ruling saying the council's prayers amount to an unconstitutional government advancement of Christianity as a religion.

Great Falls is about 40 miles north of Columbia in southeast Chester County near the Fairfield and Lancaster County lines.