Pastor found guilty of fire code violation for keeping church open to the homeless, could face jail time

January 23, 2025

An Ohio pastor who has been allowing the homeless to shelter in his church could be facing 2 months in jail after being found guilty of violating the fire code.

The Christian Post reports that Pastor Chris Avell of Dad’s Place Church in Bryan, Ohio was charged by city officials who believe the church is not following the fire code.

A Bryan Municipal Court judge fined Avell $200 and handed down a 60 day suspended jail sentence while staying the decision for 30 days to give Avell’s attorneys from First Liberty Institute time to appeal.

Avell could still face imprisonment if he continues to allow homeless individuals to stay in the church 24/7 without official approval stating that his building is up to the current fire code.

According to the Christian Post, Bryan Fire Department Chief Douglas Pool said in a statement that “This has been about fire code compliance for public safety. It’s never been about anything as far as religion, and we are appreciative of the court’s findings today to again show that we are trying to protect the public by enforcement of the fire code.”

Ryan Gardener from the First Liberty Institute pushed back on the decision Tuesday, saying, “No pastor in America, including Pastor Chris Avell, should be pronounced guilty for providing temporary shelter to those in desperate need. Only government officials could say with a straight face that people are safer in the sub-zero temperatures on the street than inside the warmth of a church.”

The legal friction between Avell and city officials began in March of 2023 when the pastor began keeping his church open night and day for the benefit of the homeless.

First Liberty Institute maintains that the city is trying to force the church to purchase and install an expensive fire suppression system while not requiring the same standard of many of its hotels and apartment complexes.

Photo: top, Credit: First Liberty Institute