REPORT: Coastal town moves to seize church property and turn it into recreational hot spot

May 26, 2025

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From Fox News: A New Jersey town has moved to seize a 10-acre church property and turn it into recreational space, outfitted with pickleball courts and soccer fields.

Christ Episcopal Church in Toms River, New Jersey, found itself at the center of a highly charged legal battle after its leaders moved to expand outreach to the area’s homeless population and proposed a 17-bed overnight shelter.

“It didn’t take long for neighbors to become concerned,” Harvey York, the church’s attorney, told Fox News Digital.

On April 30, the Toms River Township Council placed an ordinance on its agenda to condemn the church’s 10-acre site, which includes the parish house, auditorium, school, sanctuary and deacon’s residence, under its eminent domain power.

“It is clear that this is being done in retaliation for the church making an application for a homeless shelter,” York said.

The mayor has reportedly postponed a vote on the takeover of the church property until their July 30 council meeting.

Council members of Toms River #NJ are planning to seize Christ Episcopal Church. The church wants to make a homeless shelter instead of pickleball courts. A majority of the council support seizing the church. Via @s_rumpfwhitten of @FoxNews https://t.co/tpe78khSwJ pic.twitter.com/lgPsDw7sy7

— Michael Matthews (@mcm1071989) May 26, 2025

New Jersey church wanted to build a homeless shelter—town just voted to seize its property.

Republican Mayor Daniel Rodrick said “I believe Christ would agree” with his plan to build a park with pickleball courts instead.

Town Council voted to take land by eminent domain if the… pic.twitter.com/TxoKdT5Kct

— LongTime🤓FirstTime👨‍💻 (@LongTimeHistory) May 7, 2025