County’s New Policy Limits Religious Gatherings to Six Days a Year, Sparking Legal Fight
For nearly two decades, a small Los Angeles County congregation has gathered on the sandy shores of Redondo Beach, worshipping under the open sky as part of their “Church on the Beach” ministry. But now, county officials are telling the group to pack up their hymns and leave—while nonreligious gatherings face no such restrictions.
King’s Harbor Church, which has spearheaded the beachside services for 18 years, is facing a sudden policy shift from the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors. What was once an annual permit process for religious activities has morphed into a near-total ban, leaving the church with just six allowable gatherings per year. Meanwhile, secular groups continue to enjoy unrestricted access to the same public space.
Violation of Constitutional Rights
The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) has stepped in to challenge what they call a clear violation of constitutional rights. Representing the church, the legal group argues that the county’s actions amount to blatant discrimination against religious expression. “The beach location 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,” explained Nathan Moelker, Associate Counsel for the ACLJ to CBN News.
Every Sunday, about 120 worshippers gather at Redondo Beach for a service that’s as unconventional as it is intentional. Church leaders say the outdoor venue draws in people who might never walk through a church door—folks who’ve had rocky experiences with organized religion. The group has operated respectfully within county guidelines, steering clear of traffic disruptions and public solicitation. On busy beach days, they even relocate to avoid overcrowding.
The trouble started last fall when Church on the Beach, newly established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and operating independently from King’s Harbor Church, sought to renew its permit. County officials responded with a bombshell: a new policy was coming, effective by October’s end, banning the Department of Beaches and Harbors from issuing yearly permits for religious activities. While the church was temporarily “grandfathered” in, the new rules slashed their access to a handful of dates—a restriction that doesn’t apply to nonreligious events.
‘Don’t Need the Beach’
Adding insult to injury, a county official reportedly told a pastor that churches “don’t need the beach” since they can “meet in a building.” Moelker calls the remark a glaring sign of the county’s disconnect from both religious liberty and the church’s unique mission. “This isn’t about convenience—it’s about reaching people where they are,” he said.
The ACLJ fired off a demand letter to county officials earlier this month, accusing them of trampling on First Amendment protections. They point out that Redondo Beach is a public forum, akin to a park, where everyone—religious or otherwise—should have equal footing. “It’s illegal for a government entity to single out religious groups for worse treatment than their secular counterparts,” the letter states, demanding that the county reverse course by March 20 and let Church on the Beach operate under the same rules as everyone else.
A Place of Healing & Connection
For the congregation, the stakes are personal. Many attendees say the ocean breeze and open space are more than a setting—they’re a sanctuary for healing and connection. “When bureaucrats try to confine faith to a building, they’re not just missing the point of the Constitution—they’re ignoring the real human need this ministry meets,” Moelker told CBN.
The ACLJ vows to keep pushing back, believing this is a broader battle for religious freedom in public spaces. As the March 20 deadline looms, all eyes are on Los Angeles County to see whether it will double down—or step back from the edge of a constitutional cliff.
Stay tuned to Thrive News for updates on this developing story.
