Massachusetts 'Homeless Church' Takes Down Tent Community After City Threatens Daily Fines
House of Mercy Church in Lawrence, Mass., is clearing about two dozen tents from its grounds after the city cited zoning and safety violations. The pastor says a Christian must speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves.
See where this is ›LAWRENCE, Mass. —
House of Mercy Church in Lawrence, Mass., is taking down the tent community it allowed on its property after the city ordered it closed and warned of fines of $1,200 a day for alleged zoning violations, The Christian Post and WBZ NewsRadio reported this week.
The independent, nondenominational church calls itself a “homeless church” and also runs a social services nonprofit that offers meals, showers and job help, according to The Christian Post. About 60 homeless people had been living on the grounds in 26 tents and two shipping containers turned into temporary housing, the Post reported.
Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña said in a social media statement that the city acted over health and safety concerns for the people in the camp and for other residents. He said tents, temporary housing and sanitation facilities were operating without the permits and inspections they need. “The City of Lawrence does not oppose charitable organizations providing food, shelter, clothing or humanitarian assistance,” he said. The Christian Post reported that the city's inspectional services department cited four violations of local ordinances and state law.
Pastor Roger Farah told WBZ NewsRadio he felt it was his duty to help. “As a Christian, as a lover of God, someone needs to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves,” he said. He also said the camp was not the ideal answer, according to The Christian Post.
In a statement, the church asked supporters for donations to help pay the fines and said it hopes to keep working with city officials. “We really want to find a way to work with the city and continue to help our homeless friends living in tents,” the church said.
Residents told WBZ they are worried about where they will go. “We have nowhere to go. Without this place, we're in trouble,” said Richard Bianchi, who had been living at the camp with his brother.
Local estimates put Lawrence's homeless population at more than 400 people, and the city spent more than $1.9 million on homelessness-related conditions and incidents in fiscal 2026, The Christian Post reported.
What we don't know yet: The reports do not say where the camp's residents will go, when the last tents must be gone, or how much the church has been fined so far. WBZ described fines of $1,200 a day, while The Christian Post said the church was issued a $1,200 fine. Neither the mayor's office nor the church answered The Christian Post's request for comment.
