A Bryan, Ohio, church may continue its 24-hour homeless ministry after a legal battle over fire code enforcement, a judge ruled on April 1.
Judge James D. Bates of the Williams County Court of Common Pleas dismissed the city’s lawsuit against Dad’s Place church with prejudice, ending civil proceedings aimed at shutting down the church’s overnight shelter ministry.
The ruling allows Dad’s Place, led by Pastor Chris Avell, to continue operating its 24-hour ministry serving vulnerable individuals in Bryan.
Court records show the case stemmed from enforcement actions by Bryan Fire Chief Douglas Pool, who sought to halt the church’s overnight activities over fire code concerns….