GUATAY – A federal judge ruled Wednesday that an East County church that was shut down by the county because it was improperly permitted can resume services once it corrects the problems that violate building codes.

EDUARDO CONTRERAS / Union-Tribune Pastor Stan Peterson, Guatay Christian Fellowship. From the archives: Troubles for church: Building permitted for bar, not religious services

However, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Miller said, the Guatay Christian Fellowship must apply for a major-use permit, as county officials had demanded, to continue worshipping in the building on Old Highway 80 in the tiny community of Guatay.

Members of the church had to stop meeting at their building after they were notified April 16 that the structure had a permit for beer, wine and live entertainment but not religious services. The church had been meeting in the building at the Pine Valley Trailer Park for 22 years.

The congregation of about 80 people had been meeting in members' homes since they were no longer allowed to meet in the church. Miller said the county's order caused “significant irreparable harm” to the church.

Many members don't have transportation to attend services in other members' homes, no classrooms are available for children, and graffiti has been scrawled on the church site because it isn't being used, Miller said.

County officials found eight serious code violations when they inspected the church last summer, and those will have to be corrected before services can resume. The violations include unsafe wiring, an unsafe doorway and an improperly braced water heater.

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