Ohio AG files in support of church operating 24/7 shelter

BRYAN, Ohio — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost filed a brief in the Williams County Court of Common Pleas Thursday, expressing support for the Bryan, Ohio church – Dad’s Place – facing criminal charges for operating a 24/7 shelter that allegedly violated fire codes. 

In the brief, Yost asked the Williams County Court to put a halt to its preliminary injunction against the church, which Yost said would require it to evict those seeking shelter within it. 

Yost argued against the injunction for two reasons, the first being the hardship he said it would inflict on anyone residing in the church during winter weather, should they be evicted. 

Yost then said in the brief that while the Williams County Court examined Dad’s Place’s federal religious liberty claims in their review, it did not examine it under the Ohio Constitution. Yost argued that while the Ohio Constitution and US Constitution are similar conceptually, they are distinct, and he claimed Ohio’s constitution addresses religious liberty in ways not explicitly addressed in the federal constitution. 

“Here,” Yost argued, “Dad’s Place could advance a strong claim that the Ohio Constitution’s enduring protections of religious freedom require the Bryan Fire Department’s policies to pass strict scrutiny.”

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 at first criminal charges for zoning violations in the incident and, after those were dropped, now faces criminal charges relating to fire code violations in his church. 

On Tuesday, WTOL 11 asked Yost during an interview if he planned to run for governor; Yost confirmed that he did intend to run for the seat in the 2026 election. You can read our coverage of Yost’s announcement here.