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Judge orders San Jose church to stop indoor services

By Olga R. Rodriguez
Published  November 2, 2020 4:36pm PST
Coronavirus in the Bay Area
Associated Press

Santa Clara County seeks order barring church from holding indoor services

A San Jose church vows to keep holding indoor services in defiance of COVID-19 health orders. Santa Clara County now wants the court to intervene.

SAN FRANCISCO - A California judge has ordered a San Jose church to stop holding weekly indoor services for hundreds of people.

A judge on Monday granted Santa Clara County officials a restraining order against Calvary Chapel San Jose and Pastor Mike McClure.

The church has accrued more than $350,000 in fines for violating coronavirus shutdown orders. County officials last week filed for a restraining order against the church and McClure over the weekly services that attract about 600 people who don't wear masks or social distance.

Church attorney Mariah Gondeiro called the ruling "disappointing."