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California’s Church on the Beach (COTB) is back in the sand after County officials in Los Angeles reversed a 2024 ban.

Bureaucrats booted the beach church in October, telling COTB’s pastor to use a building instead.

With no alternative, COTB had to shut down.

The Department of Beaches and Harbours (DBH) policy had singled out religious events, limiting them to six per year.

No such limitation was applied to PRIDE events or the South Bay LGBTQ+ Centre.

 

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Discriminatory Ban Withdrawn

The policy was withdrawn in April, and only after the American Centre for Law and Justice (ACLJ) applied legal pressure on DBH, citing selective treatment.

“Government entities,” ACLJ argued,

“cannot single out religious activities for special restrictions that don’t apply to similar secular activities.”

“The United States Constitution demands equal treatment, not government-imposed obstacles to faith-based gatherings.”

Surprisingly, DBH Chief Deputy Amy Caves agreed.

In a two-page letter sent to ACLJ, Caves said her department was taking the “allegations of discrimination and disparate treatment seriously.”

According to Caves, the permit policy was put in place to “effectively schedule and manage limited resources, and competing groups, who have competing interests.”

Acknowledging the policy, the DBH deputy said religious groups were limited to six permits per year and could only worship at locations pre-approved by the state.

As compensation, these groups were given $500 in fee exemptions, allowing only two free permits per year.

Caves then flipped the script, agreeing with ACLJ that beach and harbour use policing “must be content neutral, and applied in the same manner regardless of the religious or non-religious nature of the activity.”

Consequently, the DBH deputy ripped up the permit policy, telling ACLJ, they were “immediately withdrawing its limit on religious events and the fee attached.”

Church on the Beach, which appears to have been an offshoot of King’s Harbour Church, would still have to obtain a permit as required by part of DBH’s general use guidelines.

Win for Christian/Religious Freedom

LA County’s almost instant co-operation was an easy victory for ACLJ, which said the win matters because it reasserts religious freedom.

This upholds…

“a fundamental constitutional principle: The government cannot single out religious expression for unfavourable treatment.

“If left unchallenged, Los Angeles County’s discriminatory policy would have set a dangerous precedent.”

This precedent could have “potentially inspired other local governments to impose similar restrictions on religious activities in public spaces.”

ACLJ’s April 2 press release also offered further context.

Church on a Mission

The beach church celebrates an 18-year history, and caters to around 120 people every Sunday.

“Many attendees specifically choose this setting because they have had difficult or negative experiences in traditional church buildings.“

The location, ACLJ explained, “isn’t merely a preference – it’s a crucial component of their ministry’s outreach to those who might never step foot in a conventional church.”

Church on the Beach Resurrection Sunday morning service with a baptism. Image: Church on the Beach.

Adding character to context, ACLJ said, COTB is a “model citizen.”

“They’ve carefully ensured their gatherings don’t obstruct pathways, block traffic, or impede emergency vehicles.”

COTB have also “voluntarily relocated during large community events to avoid any potential disruptions.”

Church on the Beach is a mission-focused church with a heart for discipleship.

They meet on Redondo Beach, Torrance, south of Santa Monica, which is southwest of downtown LA.

Fun fact: Redondo Beach is a popular film location reportedly due to the location’s vistas.

Two of the five Pirates of the Caribbean movies had scenes shot there, as did Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze’s action scenes for Point Break (1991).

What better place is there for a city on a hill than a church built on the Rock gathering in the sand, surrounded by the city of Angels?

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Image: Church on the Beach.