CINCINNATI, Ohio— While many churches have stopped holding public services during the coronavirus pandemic, one church in southwest Ohio continues to meet. Health and public officials have asked them to stop, but so far, the Solid Rock Church has not.

• Churches are exempt from the governor's stay at home order
• Health and public officials are asking the church to stop in person services.
• The church has taken precautions to keep its congregation safe.

Cars continue to roll in at Solid Rock Church. They’re continuing their services this Palm Sunday despite Governor DeWine’s plea for people to not gather in groups of ten or more.

Solid Rock Church in Monroe is a non-denominational church situated right off of I-75. The large place of worship has made headlines as it continues to hold services for its community.

“Someone said to me today, do you think it’s worth it? I said do I think my religious freedom is worth it?" Senior Paster and Founder Darlene Bishop said during a service in early April.

While churches are exempt from the Governor’s stay at home order, many across the state have stopped congregating. But Solid Rock Church has chosen to keep worshiping in large groups. Monroe’s Mayor even sent a letter to the church begging them to stop. The mayor said if they don’t they should at least consider adding more safety precautions.

Which Solid Rock has addressed- including taking the temperature of each staff member, canceling youth activities, daily church cleanings, social distancing, hand sanitizer stations and no communion or handshakes. But Butler County Health Department says it continues to get complaints.

“We have received too many calls to count about Solid rock Church," Jennifer Bailer Butler County Health Commissioner said.

The church is also getting plenty of backlash on its Facebook page. Many of the 1400 comments are against the Church’s decision. But that hasn’t changed their stance yet.

“Hallelujah that I have the freedom to go to church when I want to go to church! Because this is my life!” Bishop said during a service.

Solid Rock Church is also live streaming their services and encouraging elderly embers and others that may be at a higher risk to worship at home. But that still didn’t stop over 100 cars from filing in on Sunday morning. Right now, the Butler county health department does not know if any member of the congregation has gotten sick or tested positive for COVID-19, but hope they understand the consequences from their actions.

“We are often asked many times a day why we have not shut them down," Bailer said. "And I can tell you that that is because the governor gave churches an exception. We would prefer a public health authorities for them not to meet in such large numbers.”

Church officials have refused our requests for interviews – but they say all of the precautions they’re taking are posted on the Church’s website.