GARDEN GROVE : Church in Office Park Has 6 Months to Move

The City Council has given a local congregation six months to move from an office building where it has held services for the past six years.

The church was supposed to move from an office park near Harper Street and Westminster Avenue by the end of this week. The extension will give the church more time to look for a different location.

“This is not what we want, but I’m grateful,” said the Rev. Randolph Vasquez, pastor of the 25-member Fellowship of Praise Church, following the council’s unanimous vote Tuesday.

With support from nearby residents, the congregation had sought to remain at the same location, but city officials said churches are not allowed in commercial areas under the city’s zoning laws.

“The bottom line is, this council considers that churches are not good in shopping centers,” Mayor Frank Kessler said. “Commercial areas are for generating revenue, not holding religious services.”

Last month, the council also rejected a request by another congregation to convert parts of an office building near Lewis Street to a church.

Vasquez said that he received a letter dated Sept. 23 from the city ordering his congregation to move out in 15 days, which would have been today. It was a shock to the church members, he said, because they thought they had helped improve a neighborhood that was once plagued by gangs and graffiti.

“We’re not a radical group,” said Richard Flores, director of the church’s children services. “We don’t sit there and cut chickens. The neighbors said they were happy with us.”

Flores said more than 60 residents signed a petition supporting the church.