Christian pastor fights charges for housing homeless in church
OAN’s Brooke Mallory
2:08 PM – Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Christian Pastor Fights Back Against City’s Accusations
A Christian pastor in Ohio is standing up against accusations of violating a local ordinance by providing housing for the homeless and others in need. The pastor, Chris Avell of “Dad’s Place” church, is now retaliating against the city of Bryan by filing a federal lawsuit.
The pastor, Chris Avell, was charged with multiple zoning violations by Bryan, Ohio police. The charges were based on reports that the church did not meet safety and facility requirements, such as secure exits, ventilation, and suitable cooking and laundry facilities.
Avell has pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
In response, the church has filed a federal lawsuit against the city, claiming that its actions infringe upon the pastor’s fundamental rights to freedom of religion.
The church alleges that despite taking steps to address the city’s concerns, such as installing necessary facilities, the police continue to harass and intimidate the pastor and other church members.
Jeremy Dys, the attorney representing Avell and the church, believes that the city officials are opposed to having a homeless ministry in their town. He argues that this is a violation of constitutional rights to religious freedom and protection from government interference.
“Nothing satisfies the city,” Dys said on Monday. “And worse, they go on a smear campaign of innuendo and half-truths.”
Dys also accuses the city of “creating problems” to generate opposition against the church’s presence in the town square.
The city of Bryan, its mayor, Carrie Schlade, and other local authorities are named as defendants in the church’s complaint. They deny any unfair treatment towards a religious institution.
“The city has been and continues to be interested in any business, any church, [or] any entity complying with local and state law,” said Marc Fishel, an attorney for the city.
The church, which operates as a temporary emergency shelter, is requesting a federal judge to uphold its right to freedom of religion and protect it from further government action. They are also seeking damages and lawyers’ costs, as most of their financial resources are already dedicated to supporting the homeless.
“No history or tradition justifies the city’s intrusion into the church’s inner sanctum to dictate which rooms may be used for religious purposes, how the church may go about accomplishing its religious mission, or at what hours of the day religious activities are permitted,” the church stated in the lawsuit.
“Instead of supporting a church that is trying to help citizens going through some of the worst situations in their lives (and in the dead of winter), the city seems intent on intimidating the church into ending its ministry to vulnerable citizens or relocating it somewhere out of Mayor Schlade’s sight. The constitution and the law say otherwise,” Dys added, according to the press release.
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How is the city of Bryan accusing Pastor Chris Avell of violating local ordinances?
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Bryan, Ohio – A Christian pastor is taking a stand against accusations from the city that he is violating local ordinances by providing housing for the homeless and others in need. Pastor Chris Avell, the leader of Dad’s Place church, is retaliating against the city of Bryan by filing a federal lawsuit.
Avell was charged with multiple zoning violations by the Bryan police. The charges stemmed from reports that the church did not meet safety and facility requirements, such as secure exits, ventilation, and suitable cooking and laundry facilities.
Avell has pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
In response, the church has filed a federal lawsuit against the city, claiming that its actions infringe upon the pastor’s fundamental rights to freedom of religion. The church alleges that despite taking steps to address the city’s concerns, such as installing necessary facilities, the police continue to harass and intimidate the pastor and other church members.
Jeremy Dys, the attorney representing Avell and the church, believes that city officials are opposed to having a homeless ministry in their town. He argues that this is a violation of constitutional rights to religious freedom and protection from government interference.
“Nothing satisfies the city,” Dys said on Monday. “And worse, they go on a smear campaign of innuendo and half-truths.”
Dys also accuses the city of “creating problems” to generate opposition against the church’s presence in the town square.
The city of Bryan, its mayor, Carrie Schlade, and other local authorities are named as defendants in the church’s complaint. They deny any unfair treatment towards a religious institution.
“The city has been and continues to be interested in any business, any church, [or] any entity complying with local and state law,” said Marc Fishel, an attorney for the city.
The church, which operates as a temporary emergency shelter, is requesting a federal judge to uphold its right to freedom of religion and protect it from further government action. They are also seeking damages and lawyers’ costs, as most of their financial resources are already dedicated to supporting the homeless.
“No history or tradition justifies the city’s intrusion into the church’s inner sanctum to dictate which rooms may be used for religious purposes, how the church may go about accomplishing its religious mission, or at what hours of the day religious activities are permitted,” the church stated in the lawsuit.
“Instead of supporting a church that is trying to help citizens going through some of the worst situations in their lives (and in the dead of winter), the city seems intent on intimidating the church into ending its ministry to vulnerable citizens or relocating it somewhere out of Mayor Schlade’s sight. The constitution and the law say otherwise,” Dys added, according to the press release.
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