A church in a small Maryland town has been fined more than $10,000 for offering shelter to the homeless in their area.

The Patapsco United Methodist Church in Dundalk says homeless people have been using the church property as an overnight resting place.

Pastor Katie Grover says the Bible teaches to care for the least, but neighbors have not been happy about the situation. They say that the homeless staying on the church grounds are hurting their property values.

After numerous complaints, the church received a citation for operating an unlicensed boarding house. And that citation came with fines totaling $12,000

The minister says she wants her church to be a place of refuge, and she doesn't like to turn anyone away, even if they have to sleep outside.

The church has until December 18 to stop the practice of boarding the homeless and to pay the fine.

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