A judge sided with an Oregon church that feeds the homeless. The city of Brookings sought to curb their operations after more than a decade.
In October 2021, Brookings City Council banned churches from handing out free meals in residential neighborhoods without a permission, starting this protracted legal struggle.
St. Timothy's Episcopal Church's Rev. Lindley was unhappy because feeding people is part of their beliefs.
"That is the way we express our faith: by caring for people who are on the margins, especially people who are hungry," said.
Since 2009, Brookings' St. Timothy's Episcopal Church has provided free meals to the needy. They served meals six days a week during the epidemic, but neighbors complained to the city about the homeless individuals. Some said homeless people slept at the chapel and caused crime.
In October 2021, the city enacted a law forbidding churches from handing out free meals in residential areas without a permission. The church could no longer provide meals more than twice a week.
St. Timothy Episcopal Church sued Brookings, claiming the law unconstitutionally restricted their religious activity.
"We knew that we were not going to be able to comply with their ordinance," Lindley. "We knew that it was unconstitutional, so we reluctantly filed a lawsuit."
On Wednesday, Judge Mark Clarke sided with Lindley and St. Timothy's. Federal judge: The city has not given a solid cause to restrict free meal days.
Lindley said the court battles are distracting.
Lindley: "We can not discuss while we are suing. "We have to talk through our lawyers, which is not an official way to make our community a better place."
Legal struggle over St. Timothy's Episcopal Church continues: The city of Brookings has an abatement. City wants church to halt shower and advocate services and inviting homeless people to area. Abatement appealed by St. Timothy's.
In October 2021, Brookings City Council banned churches from handing out free meals in residential neighborhoods without a permission, starting this protracted legal struggle.
St. Timothy's Episcopal Church's Rev. Lindley was unhappy because feeding people is part of their beliefs.
"That is the way we express our faith: by caring for people who are on the margins, especially people who are hungry," said.
Since 2009, Brookings' St. Timothy's Episcopal Church has provided free meals to the needy. They served meals six days a week during the epidemic, but neighbors complained to the city about the homeless individuals. Some said homeless people slept at the chapel and caused crime.
In October 2021, the city enacted a law forbidding churches from handing out free meals in residential areas without a permission. The church could no longer provide meals more than twice a week.
St. Timothy Episcopal Church sued Brookings, claiming the law unconstitutionally restricted their religious activity.
"We knew that we were not going to be able to comply with their ordinance," Lindley. "We knew that it was unconstitutional, so we reluctantly filed a lawsuit."
On Wednesday, Judge Mark Clarke sided with Lindley and St. Timothy's. Federal judge: The city has not given a solid cause to restrict free meal days.
Lindley said the court battles are distracting.
Lindley: "We can not discuss while we are suing. "We have to talk through our lawyers, which is not an official way to make our community a better place."
Legal struggle over St. Timothy's Episcopal Church continues: The city of Brookings has an abatement. City wants church to halt shower and advocate services and inviting homeless people to area. Abatement appealed by St. Timothy's.
