Homelessness has become a major issue in New Jersey, with thousands finding themselves unhoused every night. Christ Episcopal Church brainstormed an idea: build a homeless shelter. They had the land to do it—11-acres, to be precise. It was the church’s way of helping the community and struggling families. However, the town’s mayor, Daniel Rodrick, believes the land would be better used in other ways. And what do you know, he’s a Republican!
Christ Episcopal Church’s 11-acre property contains land, marinas, and a parking lot. The church’s rector, Rev. Lisa A. Hoffman, is concerned about a new proposal that would take the land away. She said of the matter, “It’s just really shocking and surprising and very disappointing. Rest assured; our church campus is not for sale.”
The unfortunate reality of the situation is that the town government of Toms River wants to take it by force. Mayor Daniel Rodrick, a known Republican in charge of a proposal to take the land, believes that “God would approve of his plan.” Instead of a homeless shelter in that area, Rodrick wants to create a new park for local families.
He doesn’t agree with using the land for a homeless shelter and said, “There’s a real need for the local residents up in those neighborhoods to be able to walk somewhere and put their kids on a swing. I just think it’s a very positive thing. And I believe Christ would agree.” But consider this: Maybe the mayor should repurpose one of the 27 golf courses in New Jersey instead.
Now, the Township Council wants to take the property away from Christ Episcopal by eminent domain. That means the government would seize property for its own use, even if the owner won’t sell. Because of these actions, it appears that a long court battle is imminent.
Hoffman has seen support from her community throughout this battle. The Affordable Housing Alliance has been operating outreach to the church since 2023. The goal is to build a 17-bed shelter. An attorney for both the church and the Alliance, Harvey York, stated, “The answer really is the church is the right place. There is already counseling there. We are not putting 200 people here. It is 17 beds.”
Though Mayor Rodrick has denied the fact that he is launching an attack on the church by saying “It’s not about taking anybody’s rights away,” this isn’t his first rodeo in proposing to rip land away from developers (who are not, by any means, a church, I might add.)
According to an article by the Tom’s River Patch, Rodrick has previously stated, “I would immediately halt construction of the 2 10-story towers—using eminent domain if necessary The area that was the site of the Red Carpet Inn would be planted with grass and become an extension of Huddy Park. My administration would purchase the boat works, demolish it, and build a pier like they have in Belmar. The township would then create a concession license for selling alcoholic beverages on the pier just as is done in Belmar.” Priorities.
One also has to consider the fact from a political standpoint, Mayor Rodrick is a conservative leader, while Christ Episcopal Church is dedicated to liberal-leaning issues such as LGBTQ+ advocacy, prison reform, and the push toward racial equality.
As Rodrick states this isn’t an attack on Christ Episcopal itself, but I have my doubts. And though the church would receive funds from any future sale so that they could continue with their plans elsewhere, it would always have a dark haze over the circumstances.
