Posted on 08/30/2020 7:56:47 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
On August 12th Los Angeles County filed charges prohibiting Grace Community Church from holding religious services. But a local judge decided in favor of Grace Community Church to allow religious service if congregants wore face coverings and practiced social distancing.
Pastor John MacArthur said at the time that the church was meeting indoors because it was their constitutional right and that it was commanded by God for his people to come together in worship.
Factories, pot shots, liquor stores and department stores are allowed to stay open but not houses of worship.
County officials were outraged at the judge’s decision this week telling the LA Times, “It is deeply disappointing that the Court decided not to grant the County’s request for a temporary restraining order prohibiting Grace Community Church from holding indoor services. We look forward to a favorable ruling when a full hearing is heard on the matter.”
County officials did not sit back after losing last week’s ruling.
On Sunday Los Angeles County sent a letter of eviction to Grace Community Church.
Los Angeles officials gave church officials 30 days to evacuate the premises.
The county broke their agreement that was in affect since at least 2001
Constitutional Law Attorney Jenna Ellis, Special Counsel to Thomas More Society, released this statement on the eviction notice.
This is government tyranny.
“Los Angeles County is retaliating against Grace Community Church for simply exercising their constitutionally protected right to hold church and challenging an unreasonable, unlawful health order. In America, we have a judicial system to ensure that the executive branch does not abuse its power, and Grace Community Church has every right to be heard without fear of reprisal. The Democrats’ message to Americans is clear–if you do not bow to every whim of tyranny, the government will come after you. The Church has peacefully held this lease for 45 years and the only reason the County is attempting eviction is because John MacArthur stood up to their unconstitutional power grab. This is harassment, abusive, and unconscionable.”
As Attorney Ellis said, this is nothing more than harassment and abuse!
Here is the full eviction notice plus the contracts with the church that date back to 2001.
Los Angeles County Serves Eviction Notice to Grace Community Church by Jim Hoft on Scribd
These people need to be in jail.
Chickenchit.
“...These people need to be in jail...”.
Yep. I have a better idea but it would be somewhat illegal and would get me banned.
im confused... does the county OWN the church?
So LA gets a unfavorable court ruling, ans instead of appealing it, just evicts them. Thar seems ... illegal.
Isn’t that in violation of President Trump’s Executive Order extending eviction protection?
So is it only the parking lot(s) that they are trying to take away or the actual church building(s) and the land? I would think that after 45 years the buildings would already be paid for. The membership could still go to the church and hold services if they an find alternate arrangements for vehicles. This is a total outrage and there should be a huge political cost to the officials who are doing this.
“...im confused... does the county OWN the church?..”
Not the church itself, but their huge parking lot is leased from the county for a whopping $8300/month!!
Hey, they’re only trying to live up to their motto:
“To Enrich Lives Though Effective and Caring Service”
The irony and hypocrisy are beyond pale.
the church should just provide curbside valet parking to the nearest free parking area. I am sure dozens of church members would volunteer for the duty.
Hey look! There’s James Sparks contact information. :)
See my tagline.
If court proceedings related to this retaliatory eviction work out in favor of the church, then they may be able to buy their own church in a few years.
Hope they sue for 10 Million and buy a new Church.
And hope the Corrupt City Atourney get disbarred.
The L.A. County lot is part of the church’s parking lot....they lose about 40% of their parking spaces. The lot is the one that adjoins the river/wash/flood control channel to the left (light grey shaded area/lot)...see:
https://goo.gl/maps/4Cen7rWFX8M8P2Ax5
I was a bit confused at first as well. The church was built in the late 50’s. I was there last year and the newest sanctuary holds probably 3000. So that’s why they need the extra lots - and yes, I went to a Christmas concert - they had crossing guards direct us into a large lot across the road from the sanctuary. Now it makes sense.
Thank you. That was very helpful. If you switch the Google map to satellite view and then zoom out one, you see where the problem is. Near the actual church, there is a triangular lot at Truesdale and Roscoe, northwest of the main campus. THIS is the property Grace is apparently leasing from the city, not the main campus, according to the documents.
Seems specious to demand eviction over a section of parking but this is what happens when you get into bed with government.
Grace ought to just buy the lot if possible or do with less parking. Their sermons are housed on YouTube and probably streamed on their website.
I stream their sermons from time to time (did so today) and I also stream sermons from my former church in San Antonio even though I have moved out of the state.
This is a test of faith for the congregation. They aren’t alone. Other churches in Southern California are under attack too.
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