Dad's Place Church, located in the town of Bryan, wants to be a shelter for the homeless. The ministry opened in 2018 and started a more formal 24/7 ministry in March 2023.
Attorney Ryan Gardner of First Liberty Institute, the law firm representing Dad's Place Church, says no one had a problem with the ministry, adding: "Police officers actually brought people to the church to stay." In recent months, however, some local citizens began voicing concerns about health and safety risks. Gardner contends Dad's Place Church is being treated differently than other similar establishments.
"They don't require it of any of the three motels or virtually any of the apartment complexes in town, so they really are imposing a higher standard on the church than anyone else for some reason," says Gardner. "If people are sleeping in the church at night, according to the city it's a dire fire safety risk; but if people go to the motel down the street without the protection of this sprinkler system, that's perfectly fine."
Last week, a state judge ruled against the church, a decision Gardner says forces Dad's Place Church to "kick people out onto the streets." Meanwhile, Pastor Chris Avell faces almost two dozen criminal charges for keeping the church doors open to minister and serve anyone who needs help. According to Gardner, Avell cannot in good conscience deny people a place to stay, especially when temperatures outside are low.
Attorney General Dave Yost (R-Ohio) has filed a brief in support of Dad's Place Church. Talking about the situation on the Washington Watch program Wednesday, Yost said what the town is doing is not right.
"They're treating this church differently than they treat other people in their town," said Yost. "That's a violation not only of the United States Constitution, but I would argue Section VII of the Ohio Constitution."
AFN is seeking comment from the Office of the Mayor. Earlier this year, Mayor Carrie Schlade told AFN the following:
"We take no pleasure in doing this. Chris Avell and his attorneys have managed to turn issues of safety and complying with laws designed to keep people safe into a publicity-seeking crusade about religious freedom. That's not the reality. We have no interest in restricting anyone's religious freedom. Here's what I and the City of Bryan care deeply about: That the people using Dad's Place Church are safe and have all the protections afforded them by the law."
First Liberty reports that after the church refused to force people onto the streets, city officials "began engaging in a campaign to harass, intimidate, and shut down" the church.
