A logo advertising a Christian fitness center in Bossier City was removed from the Benton High School football field on Friday as the Bossier Parish School District deals with a federal lawsuit that alleges improper endorsement of religion in its schools.

Christ Fit Gym was informed Friday morning that its advertisement on the Benton football field was being removed because of its depiction of a cross, owner Billy Weatherall said.

The gym, at 1040 Chinaberry Drive, is funded by donations. In addition to fitness classes, the gym hosts prayer groups, Bible studies and an after-school program for teenagers, according to its website.

Weatherall said he paid $3,500 for the advertisement and had previously advertised before with no issue.

“I’ve done it for years,” he said. “I signed a contract to have the sponsorship there.”

When asked for comment, the Bossier school system’s legal counsel, Jon K. Guice, said in a statement Friday that the advertising space had been sold to the gym through the Benton Football Booster Club.

“The logo of the business included a cross and Bible verse and was painted on the football field yesterday,” the statement said. “A challenge to the logo was received from counsel for the plaintiffs in a pending federal lawsuit alleging improper endorsement of religion in the schools.”

In February, a federal lawsuit accusing the Bossier Parish School District of unconstitutionally promoting Christianity in schools was filed by Americans United for the Separation of Church and State on behalf of a group of parents.

The lawsuit alleged widespread use of prayer and other Christian messages on school property and during school events.

Among other things, the parents alleged that teachers and administrators in elementary, middle and high schools promoted Christianity and, in some cases, called out students who do not attend church or are not Christian.

The school district has recently engaged in settlement talks regarding that lawsuit, including a settlement conference on Wednesday. Another meeting is planned for a later date.

More:Bossier Parish schools may soon settle federal lawsuit alleging promotion of Christianity

“The School Board's legal counsel advised the administration that the logo should be removed pending consultation with the Court, as alleged violations had just been discussed with the Court,” Guice’s statement reads. “The Bossier Parish School Board was unaware of the logo and has not met to discuss the issue.”

Guice said in the statement that the school system understands a lawsuit has been filed in state court challenging the removal of the logo, and that a temporary restraining order has been signed against the Benton Football Booster Club.

“The Board is not a named as a defendant in the suit and has not had an opportunity to discuss the allegations," Guice said.

Weatherall confirmed that he was seeking legal action to reverse the decision to remove his advertisement from the field, but filings in 26th Judicial District Court listed on the Bossier Clerk of Court's website on Friday did not yet display a complaint from Christ Fit Gym.

Christ Fit Gym will be represented by Ryan Gatti and Emily Merckle of the Ryan Gatti Law Firm, according to Weatherall. Merckle did not return a call requesting comment.