LONDON, ONT. The Church of God in Aylmer, Ont. is waiting to find out what penalty and/or fines it faces after being found in contempt of an order directing the congregation to refrain from holding religious gatherings and violating the province’s COVID-19 restrictions. Justice Bruce Thomas found the church and some of its leaders, including Pastor Henry Hildebrandt, were in contempt last month after they were charged for violating the Reopening Ontario Act. In her submissions, Crown Attorney Connie Vernon argued that despite being charged and found in contempt, indoor services were still held at the church on May 2 and May 9, with hundreds of people involved.
ST. THOMAS, ONT. An Ontario judge has ordered the Church of God Restoration location in Aylmer, Ont. locked up, after repeated violations of the Reopening Ontario Act. The evidence makes it clear that Pastor Hildebrandt has control over his congregation, said Justice Bruce Thomas in his decision. “Henry Hildebrandt, as pastor of this church, is the leading force and unapologetic spokesperson for this offending activity.” As for Hildebrandt ordering his congregation to go against provincial orders and saying they are not giving up, Thomas found those comments significantly aggravating and emphasized his control would allow the breached conduct to stop if he chose to do so.
The doors of the Church of God Restoration in Aylmer, Ont. have been locked on the orders of an Ontario judge after the organization was found in contempt of court.
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Police in Cedar Falls are searching for several suspects caught on video breaking into a church, according to KWWL. Just after midnight on Tuesday a Ring video camera at Trinity Bible Church on Orchard Drive caught the suspects leaving the church. Public Safety Director Jeff Olson says the suspects broke into the church by tearing down a section of drywall where an addition is being built. A laptop was reported stolen from the church. No arrests have been made to this point. If you have any information you are asked to contact Cedar Falls Police.
Author of the article: Jane Sims • The London Free Press
Publishing date: May 13, 2021 • 1 hour ago • 6 minute read • Church of God Pastor Henry Hildebrandt arrives at the Aylmer church Thursday morning, where he was joined by dozens of congregants, just as a nearby court was deliberating whether its doors should be looked due to flagrant defiance of Ontario s laws against indoor gatherings amid COVID-19. Photo taken May 13, 2021. (Mike Hensen/The London Free Press)
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The “toxic environment in Aylmer,” created as a provocative preacher and his congregation defy public-health orders during the pandemic, is weighing heavily on the judge deciding how to punish the church.