The Rock, in Castle Rock, Colorado, is a church committed to demonstrating the Gospel. It contends that the out-growth of their sincerely held doctrinal beliefs should be reflected in how they care for hurting, needy people in the community. The church’s ministries also include food distribution, job training, financial assistance, and a variety of church-led efforts to move the displaced from a place of homelessness to a permanent solution that includes their own residence, a job, and a steady income.
Neither the Town of Castle Rock, nor Douglas County, CO, has an emergency, temporary shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness or who are otherwise suddenly unhoused. The church fills a critical need in the community for those who have no options. The church uses the trailer/RVs as a temporary solution and part of a holistic effort to get people back on their feet as quickly as possible.
But now the town is demanding the church stop providing temporary shelter to single moms and others suddenly displaced.
The Town of Castle Rock contends the temporary shelter ministry violates the city’s zoning ordinances and is calling for an end to their mercy ministry efforts. The actions the town has taken has created a substantial burden on the use of their property for religious exercise.
In addition to threatening the church’s shelter ministry, the town took action to prohibit the Red Cross’s partnership with the church, thereby ending the use of the church’s property to provide temporary shelter to needy individuals in the community. The church had previously been used by the Red Cross in times of severe blizzards to temporarily house the displaced.
“What the world needs now is more compassion, more help for the underserved, and less harassment from the government toward churches that are trying to fulfill their mission,” said First Liberty Senior Counsel Jeremy Dys. “Churches that take action to care for the homeless should be encouraged and affirmed, not opposed and retaliated against.”
In May, First Liberty filed a federal lawsuit and a motion for preliminary injunction against the town of Castle Rock, Colorado for its actions to shut down the on-site temporary and emergency shelter ministry.
In June, the court granted a preliminary injunction on behalf of The Rock.
Then, in June 2025, attorneys announced a settlement agreement with the Town of Castle Rock that will recognize the church’s ability to continue to operate its on-site temporary shelter ministry, use its building to provide emergency shelter (including partnering with the Red Cross), and even operate its coffee shop at cost or for voluntary donations. Further, the Town of Castle Rock agreed to pay $225,000 toward the church’s attorney’s fees
About the settlement, First Liberty Senior Counsel Jeremy Dys added, “This is a welcome resolution that goes far to encourage churches who care for those in need and a good example of the type of cooperation between church and state that every community should welcome.”
“We are pleased that we can continue our church’s mission to transform society by loving others as Christ loved us,” said Pastor Mike Polhemus. “We love Castle Rock and are committed to working with the Town of Castle Rock to provide assistance to those in need, thus helping to reduce homelessness in our community.”
News Release
For Immediate Release: 6.12.25
Contact: John Manning, media@firstliberty.org
Direct: 972-941-4453
Colorado Church, Town of Castle Rock Agree to Settlement
The Rock Church, Town of Castle Rock, CO agree to settlement that permits church to house and help those in need.
Castle Rock, CO—Attorneys for The Rock Church announced today that it had reached a settlement agreement with the Town of Castle Rock that will recognize the church’s ability to continue to operate its on-site temporary shelter ministry, use its building to provide emergency shelter (including partnering with the Red Cross), and even operate its coffee shop at cost or for voluntary donations. Further, the Town of Castle Rock agreed to pay $225,000 toward the church’s attorney’s fees.
The terms of the settlement are available here.
In announcing the settlement, the town and the church have released the following joint statement:
On May 13, 2024, the Church of the Rock (“the Rock”) filed a federal lawsuit against the Town of Castle Rock, Colorado, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. The Rock sought and received a court order enjoining the Town from enforcing its land-use laws to prohibit the Rock’s operation of its On-Site Temporary Shelter Ministry, through which the Rock provides shelter to those in need in trailers on its property, during the pendency of the case.
Since the Court issued its injunction order, the Rock and the Town have sought to resolve this dispute without further litigation. As part of those efforts, on December 2, 2024, the Town issued a revised Letter of Determination that explicitly permits the Rock to operate its On-Site Temporary Shelter Ministry in the two trailers currently located on the Rock’s property and clarifies that the applicable Planned Development zoning regulations do not prevent the Rock from providing additional shelter during public emergencies through its partnership with the Red Cross.
The Town and the Rock now wish to inform the public that they have reached an agreement intended to end the current litigation and settle issues regarding the future use of the Rock’s property to provide temporary housing to those in need. As part of this agreement, a new Letter of Determination will permit the Rock to operate its On-Site Temporary Shelter Ministry located in its existing parking lot. The Town has the option to install additional fencing or landscaping to partially screen the location of the units from the surrounding neighborhood in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
The Town acknowledges the Rock’s invaluable services to the Castle Rock community through its longstanding efforts to provide support for those members of our community most in need. The Rock acknowledges its responsibilities as a good neighbor and looks forward to working in partnership with the Town while providing those services. The Town and the Rock believe that this agreement is in the best interest of all parties and successfully balances the Rock’s religious free-exercise rights with the Town’s public interest in enforcing land use regulations and protecting the general welfare, public health, and safety. The Town and the Rock are no longer in an adversarial posture in regard to the litigation and look forward to productive cooperation and potential partnerships on issues in the future.
About the settlement, First Liberty Senior Counsel Jeremy Dys added, “This is a welcome resolution that goes far to encourage churches who care for those in need and a good example of the type of cooperation between church and state that every community should welcome.”
“We are pleased that we can continue our church’s mission to transform society by loving others as Christ loved us,” said Pastor Mike Polhemus. “We love Castle Rock and are committed to working with the Town of Castle Rock to provide assistance to those in need, thus helping to reduce homelessness in our community.”
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About First Liberty Institute
First Liberty Institute is a non-profit public interest law firm and the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.
To arrange an interview, contact John Manning at media@firstliberty.org or by calling 972-941-4453.
The Rock Church
Pastor Mike Polhemus
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