NJ city strikes to grab Episcopal church property utilized by homeless

By Anugrah Kumar, Christian Publish Contributor Monday, Could 05, 2025

Toms River’s council has begun proceedings to forcibly purchase Christ Episcopal Church’s 11‑acre campus for “public use” at a time when the 160‑yr‑previous parish is searching for permission to open a 17‑mattress shelter for the homeless.

Throughout a contentious April 30 assembly, the council voted 4–3 to maneuver ahead with a plan that may let the city buy the church and 5 different properties — or take them by pressure if the homeowners refuse to promote — to construct two new public parks, the Episcopal Information Service reported.

Mayor Daniel Rodrick, an outspoken critic of homelessness within the seaside group, was quoted as saying he desires pickleball courts, a soccer area, a playground and a skate park on the church grounds.

Christ Church discovered of the ordinance solely hours earlier than the vote.

“It’s simply actually stunning and shocking and really disappointing,” the Rev. Lisa A. Hoffman, the rector, was quoted as saying. Hoffman added that no official had notified the congregation upfront. She mentioned she does not regard a brand new park as a “reputable motive to grab the property.”

The proposal arrives whereas the parish seeks a zoning‑board inexperienced mild for an in a single day shelter. That board is slated to vote on Could 22. Six days later, on Could 28, the council will maintain a public listening to and will undertake the land‑seizure ordinance.

Legal professional Michael York, retained by a neighborhood inexpensive‑housing group to symbolize the church, hand‑delivered a letter moments earlier than the council session.

“It’s clear and apparent that the township and mayor are appearing in unhealthy religion and have ulterior motives,” he wrote, calling the ordinance “an excuse to acquire property” and warning of litigation in opposition to any official “who knowingly participated on this unhealthy religion motion.”

York mentioned even a cursory evaluation of case legislation reveals the township in a “perilous place.”

Below the Episcopal Church’s Dennis Canon, parish property is held in belief for the diocese and the nationwide church, an element that would additional complicate any condemnation try.

Debate on the dais reportedly lasted six minutes however erupted in raised voices.

Council member Thomas Nivison tried to desk the measure or take away the church from consideration; his effort fell brief 4‑3, the identical margin that instantly superior the ordinance.

James Quinlisk, voting no, instructed the chamber, “There’s no approach on God’s inexperienced Earth that anybody ought to vote for this ordinance,” drawing loud applause. At one flash level, a member accused a colleague of hating God, Christ, homeless folks and humanity.

David Ciccozzi forged his no vote standing and led the room within the Lord’s Prayer.

A number of residents who mentioned they’d skilled homelessness recounted sleeping in vehicles and fighting dependancy, then credited church buildings for assist.

Angie Feldman warned the council that “while you begin messing together with his kids, you’ve acquired a number of hassle.” Will Wiencke, a lifelong parishioner, mentioned he wonders each day how one can ease homelessness and predicted the church would outlast present officers.

Along with drawing greater than 150 congregants every Sunday, Christ Church hosts greater than 20 assist teams, operates a meals pantry and runs a weekly clothes giveaway.

Ocean Christian Group rents an older chapel on the property, and the Inexpensive Housing Alliance has labored there for almost two years, rehousing greater than 130 households in its first yr.

In February, a state appellate courtroom in Bryan, Ohio, paused a decrease courtroom’s resolution to nice and jail a pastor for holding his church open across the clock to shelter the homeless. Pastor Chris Avell of Dad’s Place had been ordered by a municipal decide to pay $200 and acquired a suspended 60-day jail sentence for working a 24/7 ministry.

The spiritual liberty legislation agency First Liberty Institute, which is representing the church, accused the town of unfairly focusing on the congregation with late-night hearth inspections, police strain and zoning complaints whereas making use of hearth codes erratically amongst institutions.