Controversy surrounds Toms River Council’s plan to seize church that wants to host a homeless shelter
The issue is turning Christ Episcopal Church into a multi-purpose recreation spot along Washington Avenue, just east of downtown.
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Chaos erupted at a Toms River council meeting last week after the township took steps to seize a church that wants to host a homeless shelter.
Members of the council got into a shouting match over the topic.
“Obviously, you hate humanity, you hate God, you hate Christ. Obviously, you hate humanity like our mayor,” shouted Toms River Councilman Tom Nivison at Councilwoman Lynn O’Toole.
The issue is turning Christ Episcopal Church into a multi-purpose recreation spot along Washington Avenue, just east of downtown.
“The mayor never reached out to me and the other two councilmen about his idea to take this property over, which is complete craziness,” said 4th Ward Councilman David Ciccozzi.
The proposal comes months after Christ Episcopal Church announced plans to host a homeless shelter and applied to the township for a variance, leaving some in the community to believe the actions taken by the town are political.
“In my mind 100%,” said Ciccozzi.
At last week’s council meeting, a vote to table the ordinance failed in a 4 - 3 decision. The crowd's reaction overwhelmingly supported the efforts of the church.
“I just want you to know that when you go after a church of faith, you’re losing faith of the people. That’s what it really comes down to,” said Toms River resident Greg Andrus.
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“I don’t know how many of you are going to be here in 10 years, but the Christ Episcopal Church will be,” said resident William Winky.
According to the ordinance, Toms River wants the land to expand its open space inventory, promote recreation and conservation and curb overdevelopment. Renderings displayed at the council meeting show the athletic field, pickleball courts and a children’s play area.
In a statement to News 12, The Rt. Rev. Sally French, of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, wrote in part, “As a Christian leader and a resident of New Jersey, I am troubled by the township’s move to block the faithful ministry of Christ Church, and I am saddened that the mayor and township council are prioritizing pickleball courts over responding to hunger and homelessness. I ask that Toms River lift the burden these proceedings have placed on our parish and diocese, and I pray that we can move forward in serving our neighbors.”
The Toms River Council will now host a second reading and a vote on whether to move forward with this plan to take over the church and the property at the next scheduled meeting on May 28 at 4 p.m.
News 12 reached out to Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick for additional comment, but did not hear back.
