Ocean City Church Fights Order to Close Shelter

St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Lutheran Church is fighting a zoning violation it was issued last week.  Officials in Ocean City, MD has ordered the church to shut down its indoor shelter, Shelter By-the-Sea, which opened on March 31.  In a media release on Tuesday, the church noted that since it opened, the shelter is averaging 27 guests per night and has received referrals from teh Homeless Outreach Team and local law enforcement.

Ocean City officials have stated that the issue is whether the building can legally and safely be used as overnight sleeping quarters.