An Aylmer church that has repeatedly defied provincial COVID-19 restrictions by hosting large gatherings is once again being hit with more charges.
The latest stem from a massive outdoor service held on Sunday at the Church of God Restoration, two days after a judge ordered the doors to the pandemic rule breaking place of worship locked.
Aylmer police counted more than 200 vehicles and over 400 people in attendance outside the John Street North church. Footage obtained by police also showed a makeshift outdoor stage and seating area set up for the service. None of those in attendance wore face coverings or maintained physical distance.
The Church of God Restoration has been charged as a corporation with failing to comply with a continued section 7.0.2 order under the Reopening Ontario Act.
Two Aylmer men, aged 57 and 26, and a 26-year-old man from Steinbach, Manitoba have also been charged as individuals with failing to comply with a continued section 7.0.2 order under the Reopening Ontario Act.
The locks to the exterior doors of the church were changed on Friday in accordance with a court order issued by Superior Court Justice Bruce Thomas. The church, along with pastor Henry Hildebrandt and assistant pastor Peter Wall were found guilty of contempt on April 30 for disobeying a court order to stop holding in-person services in violation of pandemic restrictions. In his decision, Thomas stressed an example needed to be made of the church to deter others across the province from breaking COVID-19 regulations.
The church has on at least half a dozen occasions hosted large services including on May 2 in which Aylmer police counted 166 people entering the church and on May 9 when 222 people were spotted going inside.
Prior to that, charges were laid against the church and multiple people after gatherings on January 24 and 31, And April 20 and 25.
Current COVID-19 public health restrictions put in place by the provincial government cap religious gatherings at ten people. They also require face coverings be worn and physical distance maintained. Individuals convicted of violating the emergency orders face a minimum fine of $750, while those guilty of hosting large gatherings can be fined up to $10,000.
