Almost three years after the COVID pandemic was officially declared over, a church in California is still facing over $1.2 million in fines for keeping its doors open to minister to the spiritual needs of the public.

Calvary Chapel San Jose’s legal saga began in August 2020 when county inspectors reportedly “made 44 visits to the church” over the next five months due to Pastor Mike McClure’s refusal to cancel the church’s in-person services. At the time, California’s public health orders that regulated which businesses could remain open due to being deemed “essential” notably favored retail stores, bars, casinos, and restaurants, while requiring churches to remain closed. At one point, even strip clubs were allowed to remain open while other businesses were required to close.

State officials eventually ordered Calvary Chapel to pay over $1.2 million in fines for continuing to hold public services. But the church fought back by filing a lawsuit against Santa Clara County in August 2023, claiming that county officials surveilled the church in violation of its constitutional rights. “This type of expansive geofencing operation is not only an invasion of privacy but represents a terrifying precedent if allowed to go unaddressed,” the suit stated. It went on to note that “The county consistently imposed harsher restrictions on churches and fined Calvary millions of dollars while overlooking other large gatherings,” citing protests, weddings, and graduation parties. Read more»

Dan Hart | “California Church Appeals to SCOTUS Over $1.2M in COVID-19 Fines” | December 21, 2025

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