Bryan church that provided housing appeals to federal court [Video]

BRYAN, Ohio — The Williams County church known as Dad’s Place filed an appeal in federal court Tuesday, seeking immediate relief from what it described as “continued harassment” from the city of Bryan, Ohio, which has cited the church and its pastor for alleged fire code violations when housing the homeless. 

Dad’s Place’s legal representation said in the press release they had filed the appeal seeking emergency relief after a federal judge denied their preliminary injunction. 

Dad’s Place began helping the unhoused in March 2023. However, in November, city officials issued an ultimatum to the church to stop operating 24 hours a day or face legal penalties. Pastor Chris Avell faced nearly two dozen criminal chargesfor keeping his church open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The charges included zoning violations for running a church that sheltered the unhoused, to …