Fresno church that’s trying to buy Tower Theatre holds concert amid coronavirus pandemic
The Fresno church that’s trying to buy the Tower Theatre held an indoor concert Wednesday amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Adventure Church elected to hold the concert after receiving a citation from City of Fresno Code Enforcement to “immediately cease all community and religious assembly uses” for zoning regulations. The church also received a notice for violating emergency orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A notification precedes a citation.
The concert, which featured Christian rapper Bryann Trejo, drew a packed crowd based on video postings on social media, and many in attendance were not wearing masks.
The event initially was scheduled at the Tower Theatre. But after Adventure Church received the $250 citation, the concert was moved out of the Tower District and to downtown Fresno at Cornerstone Church.
It is unclear if Adventure Church or Cornerstone Church were cited due to Wednesday’s concert.
Mass gatherings, especially with large groups from different households, often has been attributed to the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus.
In Fresno County, there have been 1,185 coronavirus-related deaths among 89,542 positive cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, according to the Fresno County Department of Public Health.
Adventure Church has been at the forefront of controversy of late since attempting to buy the Tower Theatre, which was met by public outcry that a church not be allowed to purchase the historic venue.
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer offered Adventure Church a different option: Rather than buy the Tower Theatre, lease the Memorial Auditorium in downtown Fresno.
Adventure Church, however, rejected the proposal and said it will sue if need be.
The church said it is being targeted and discriminated against “for our constitutionally protected rights not only by people who themselves fight for equality but also by our local government.”
This story was originally published February 3, 2021 at 8:43 PM.