A Capitol Hill church near the Nationals stadium is dealing with parking restrictions as DDOT posted no parking signs for non-residents.

The Hassells have been attending the historic Ebenezer United Methodist Church on Capitol Hill for decades, but now they worry a new stiff parking restriction will make it extremely difficult to worship there. In an effort to keep Nationals fans away from neighborhood streets, signs have been posted by DDOT around the church.

Pastor John Blanchard wondered why the parking spots have been confiscated, considering it's a good 40 minute walk from the church to the new stadium.

Merle Hassell, a parishioner, said the parking is needed not just on Sundays, but all throughout the week, "[there's] bible study, different things going on."

Thanks to the signs, only zone six residents have parking privileges. Visitors can park on nearby streets, but only for two hours, even on Sundays.The department of Transportation acknowledges the neighborhood is a good distance from the stadium, but maintains it needs to protect all commercial districts as well.

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