Langley church fined for holding in-person service Sunday

Photo: Facebook

A service at Riverside Calvary Chapel on Nov. 2, prior to the ban on indoor gatherings.

A Langley church has been fined after holding an in-person service Sunday morning.

The Langley RCMP received a complaint about a gathering at Riverside Calvary Chapel in North Langley Sunday morning, reports CTV News.

Langley RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Holly Largy said officers attended and told the participants to leave, but they refused.

"We can't remove people," Cpl. Largy said. "We gave them the opportunity to disperse. They refused, so they were issued a violation ticket."

Public Health orders put in place earlier this month ban all indoor gatherings and events, regardless of size, until at least Dec. 7. Religious services are included under this order.

The fine was issued during the first of three services at the church. Officers returned to the second service, but there was no in-person gathering taking place then.

The church's website currently says “join us online this Sunday at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., or 11:30 a.m. There is no mention of a in-person gathering.

– with files from CTV Vancouver