City drops charges against pastor as sides negotiate over Ohio church’s 24/7 ministry
An Ohio city has dropped charges against a pastor over his 24-hour ministry to the homeless and others in need of help, as the two sides try to end the dispute that has ended up in federal court.
A city prosecutor this week dismissed a code violation charge against Pastor Chris Avell of Dad’s Place Church, weeks after the church filed a federal lawsuit accusing the city of Bryan of repeated harassment and intimidation. The city said it wanted to reserve the right to refile charges against Avell if necessary.
The lawsuit is still ongoing, but an attorney for the city told a federal judge Monday that a mediation session last week “was productive and the parties continue to strive toward a resolution.”
Jeremy Dys, an attorney for Avell, said Friday that Dad’s Place plans to continue providing temporary shelter to people while it tries to resolve disputes over the sanctuary’s zoning status and conditions.
“The church will continue to provide temporary housing for those at Dad’s Place Church, even as we continue to talk to the city about how Dad’s Place is a productive member of the Bryan community,” Dys said. He said a judge on Thursday granted the request to dismiss the charges against Avell.
Bryan police charged Avell with 18 misdemeanors last month. They said the church violated city zoning regulations, lacked proper kitchen and laundry facilities, unsafe exits and inadequate ventilation. The rented church building is next to a separate homeless shelter on Main Street in the northwestern Ohio city of about 8,600.
Dad’s Place said in a statement released late Thursday that it will pursue building certifications, zoning permits and safety measures.
“I am grateful to God, the city and everyone who prayed for this day,” Avell said in the news release. “Bryan is my home. I would like to continue serving God, my community and the world. people I love.”
The city’s mayor, Carrie Schlade, said in the statement that officials appreciated the efforts to negotiate and said work was continuing to resolve their differences. She is a defendant in the federal lawsuit, along with the city and other Bryan officials.
Police filed charges against Avell in December for code violations. He pleaded not guilty in municipal court on Jan. 11.
Church leaders decided almost a year ago to remain open 24 hours a day as a temporary emergency shelter. They say about eight people would have stayed there on a normal night, and a few more in bad weather.
“I truly believe that everyone who walks through the door of Dad’s Place walks out a better citizen,” Avell told The Associated Press last month.
The church’s nightly ministry of “Rest and Refreshment in the Lord” included Bible readings under dim lights, with people allowed to come or go. Two volunteers kept an eye on things.
The city said police calls related to church activities began to increase in May due to issues including criminal mischief, trespassing, theft and disturbing the peace. A planning and zoning administrator ultimately ordered the church to stop housing people in an area where first-floor occupancy is not allowed.
The church has filed a lawsuit asking the federal court to stop what it considers violations of constitutional rights to the free exercise of religion and protection from government hostility toward religion. It sought a restraining order or injunction against Bryan “enforcing or applying city ordinances to burden plaintiff’s religious exercise.”