A church in Sacramento found itself in the middle of a controversy after public health officials linked it to more than 71 coronavirus cases--a third of all COVID-19 cases in the county.

The Bethany Slavic Missionary Church is said to be the center of one of the largest coronavirus outbreaks in the United States. The church has over 3,500 members and a total of 10,000 service attendees, making it one of the largest Slavic congregation in the nation.

Authorities blame the church for violating recent shelter-in-place orders after Slavic members were discovered holding fellowship meetings in their homes. Dr. Peter Beilenson, Sacramento's health director, said the church refused to cooperate with authorities.

The church vehemently denied the accusations. In a press release published on the church's website on Friday, Bethany Slavic said reports of 71 cases linked to the church were "inaccurate."

The missionary church said it does not allow any in-person gatherings outside its doors. It further accused the media and authorities of "misleading the public."

Various members of Bethany Slavic also defended the church saying Bethany Slavic members and leaders were in touch with country leaders before the pandemic hit the nation. They also confirmed hearing rumors of some in the Slavic community are holding large gatherings but clarified "they are not members of the Bethany Slavic Missionary Church."

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Another place of worship found themselves in the spotlight after officials reported the death of two parishioners due to COVID-19.

Authorities recently found five other members of the Faith Presbyterian Church in Sacramento positive for the new coronavirus.

Church officials for the Faith Presbyterian Church said they stopped all in-person services a week before Sacramento County officials issued a stay-at-home order.

Another church in Lodi sent the city a "cease and desist" letter after law enforcement workers allegedly stormed the church during a service on March 25. The church said it intends to continue holding services for all future Wednesdays and Sundays.

The Cross-Culture Christian Center defied orders from local and state officials after repeatedly holding an in-person church service despite the ongoing COVID-19 prohibitions.

Dean Broyles, the Christian church's legal counsel, said they are filing a cease and desist letter due to violation of religious freedom. In the letter, Broyles said the policemen disrupted a peaceful worship service and threatened the church's constitutional freedom.

He also claimed governors and state officials do not have the authority to suspend or restrict services as part of the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment.

He further argues all orders issued by California Governor Gavin Newsom and health officials employ unnecessary measures to contain the outbreak. Broyles believes only residents who are positive for the virus or may have been exposed to a carrier should be placed under quarantine.

Broyles ended the letter by saying the CCCC will pursue all available legal remedies should law enforcement workers continue to enforce actions on or against the church.