SCOTTSBURG, Ind. (WHAS11) -- A group of homeless people could soon be forced out of a church in Scottsburg that opened its doors to them in January. A city request has left the church with 10 days to make changes or it'll shut its doors.
Many homeless people in Scottsburg were spending their nights in an abandoned corn factory until some chose a new option of staying at Sovereign Grace Baptist Church. But they could be forced back out to the streets in just a few days.
"We've helped over 100 people in four months," Pastor Derrick Walker said. Walker has made it his mission to make a difference in their lives. To help that mission, he opened the doors of his church to anyone who was homeless.
"Is this the ideal situation? Maybe not, but it's better than the streets," he said. However, a recent development has left this pastor with a difficult decision.
The City of Scottsburg sent Walker a letter Saturday morning, stating the church would need to re-classify as a homeless shelter.
"Which, I think, is a violation of our religious liberties because it is defining what our worship looks like," Walker said.
The re-classification would force the church to adhere to certain codes and regulations.
"If I do meet those codes, I still have to go before the zoning committee and get re-zoned as a different zoning- regardless of what's around me," Walker said. "Being a small church, I can't meet all of those code requirements. I don't have the financial resources or the ability to meet those codes. If I don't meet the codes, then they put in the letter that they could lock the doors, they could put chains on the doors."
Walker said the letter came about after complaints from locals about things like drug use.
"We are not perfect. Definitely, some of the complaints out there were legitimate," Walker said. "We have attempted to address in all forms that we possibly can."
He also said some of the complaints come from a "lack of understanding." He said some of the homeless people staying at the church also hold jobs.
"What's even worse about this that the public doesn't understand yet either is we've had local police bring people to our shelter," he said. "We've had child protective services call us with people who are in situations that need help and they've been able to come in here."
The church does have strict policies, including the prohibition of alcohol, sex, and drugs. It requires five bible study classes a week, and adheres to a 10 p.m. curfew. It also conducts monthly drug tests allowing people like Pamela Foster to get clean.
"I've been five months sober from heroin and meth. I have a car. My fiance has a job and a car," Foster said.
Foster said she hopes the church isn't shut down. That is something Pastor Walker also hopes.
"The losers in this are going to be the people that need shelter," he said.
This is the full response from Scottsburg Mayor William H. Graham:
"Homelessness is an issue of great concern to our community and the community is banning together to make a positive difference in the lives of the homeless. Several churches, and individuals, are feverishly working to meet the needs of these individuals. We are blessed to have these efforts. However, the health and safety of the people being helped, the people helping, and the neighborhood must be addressed.
There are many regulations from Federal, State and local governments that must be adhered to so as to ensure the health and safety of all is not jeopardized. The International Building Code is very specific about Health and Safety standards, and the zoning classification necessary for the church as it is presently being used. There has been no notice to close this facility. They were notified, by the City’s Local Building Official, that they have 10 days to start the process of becoming compliant.
There was a meeting in the Mayor’s office on June 7th with the Pastor of Grace Sovereign Baptist Church, members of some supporting churches, some members of the homeless coalition, the Mayor, Scottsburg Chief of Police and the Mayor’s Assistant, where many concerns from both sides were expressed. The City of Scottsburg wishes to work together to ensure code compliance and the health and safety of the homeless and of all the community."
Pastor Walker said he truly doesn't know what he will do once that 10-day deadline hits, given the options he has. It means those staying at the church could be back out on the streets.
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