Ohio City drops charges against Church pastor housing the homeless

February 13, 2024

Premier Christian News reports that the city of Bryan, Ohio has dropped all charges against a pastor who was offering shelter to homeless people in his church building.

Pastor Chris Avell was charged with 18 violations of city zoning code for offering food and shelter for homeless individuals during the cold weather. The city said it filed criminal charges because Avell was jeopardizing the safety of individuals because the building did not meet the legal safety standards.

Those concerns stemmed from a lack of ventilation and restricted access to safe fire exits. The church had argued that the building’s issues were a matter of age, not neglect.

The church filed a federal lawsuit against the city in January alleging religious discrimination and arguing that providing food and shelter was in line with its religious beliefs and constitutionally protected.

According to Premier Christian News, the church and the city have reached an agreement despite their legal battles. The church will continue to provide temporary lodging while working with the city to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

The church’s attorney Jeremy Dys, emphasized that the shelter was intended to be for temporary or emergency purposes only.

Photo: Top Credit: Dad’s Place/Liberty Institute