by Jorge Gomez • 2 minutes
We just received a troubling decision in our case involving Pastor Chris of Dad’s Place church in Bryan, Ohio. Their ministry helps people in need in their community by keeping the church doors open 24/7.
A state judge in Ohio just ruled against the church. The decision effectively forces Dad’s Place to kick everyone out immediately. Because of this ruling, the homeless who stay at the church will be booted onto the cold, hard streets—at a time when the temperature is well below freezing.
We are deeply discouraged at this decision. It fails to address the U.S. and Ohio Constitutions and it ignores the special treatment Bryan’s hotels, apartment complexes, and senior living facilities receive, but Dad’s Place does not. That’s blatant religious discrimination.
We grieve for the people who depend upon Dad’s Place as the only place around Bryan that will give them a place of temporary shelter. We will continue this litigation on appeal. But for now, if Mayor Schlade, Fire Chief Pool, and others believe it is unsafe to be inside Dad’s Place (it is not), they must figure out how to keep them safe outside. It’ll be 19 degrees tonight in Bryan.
Here’s First Liberty Senior Counsel Jeremy Dys explaining the court ruling in more detail:
Earlier this week, First Liberty was in court for Pastor Chris’s criminal trial. Yes, you read that correctly: a pastor is facing criminal charges for keeping the church doors open to minister and serve anyone who needs help. Our attorneys had to make their way through driving snow and plummeting temperatures to get to the trial this week.
Now, the people who depend on Dad’s Place for shelter will have to brave the bitter winter on their own. City officials clearly want them out of Dad’s Place, and they’ve even said as much. But the city has never offered a plan for where they are supposed to go. We doubt the city will open city hall to them and as the fire chief testified this week, there’s not another building in a 72-square mile radius around Bryan that can support the ministry of Dad’s Place.
Houses of worship do tremendous work to care for those others overlook. This ministry and charitable work doesn’t just change people’s lives, in many cases, it saves their lives.
But this city believes it’s better for people who have nowhere else to go to freeze on the snowy sidewalks than to allow a church to be a church, help the Bryan community, and remain a welcoming place for those who need it most.
The city’s harassment and hostility toward this church is wrong and illegal. It must stop. It’s appalling when the mayor of a city and local officials abuse their position to vindictively go after Good Samaritans like Pastor Chris. This can’t be allowed to happen in America.
It’s clear that Bryan officials will not rest until Pastor Chris is in jail and Dad’s Place ministry is completely shut down. First Liberty isn’t going to let that happen.
This legal battle is far from over. We’re going to keep fighting this case in court—and that means we need your continued support.
Pastor Chris—and the people of Dad’s Place—need your help. Can they count on you? Your gift today can help our legal team secure a victory that will protect this church from the city’s constant attacks.
Please give to First Liberty today.
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