Pastor Henry Hildebrandt, seen here in a Sunday service broadcast on social media, has made headlines through the pandemic for his stance on the province's strict rules against communal gatherings. (Church of God at Aylmer/Facebook )

Four people in Aylmer have been charged, with more to come, after the latest gathering at the Church of God at Aylmer, a house of worship that's become known for its pervasive defiance of Ontario emergency health orders during the pandemic.

Officers with the Aylmer Police Service visited the church on Tuesday night after a tip from the public about a gathering inside the church. 

Police allege 18 people who weren't wearing masks or physically distancing were taking part in an organized event. 

Aylmer police Chief Zvonko Horvat told CBC News on Wednesday that the four were charged for failing to comply with the province's emergency health orders. 

"We're also looking at identifying others and there will likely be more charges laid as a result of yesterday's incident," he said.

Since the pandemic began early in 2020, the church has repeatedly been in the media spotlight for its rebellious stance against provincial pandemic orders. 

Lawyer for church weighs in

Pastor Henry Hildebrandt has made headlines for his stance on the province's strict rules against communal gatherings. 

Dozens of parishioners and church leaders were fined after the church welcomed worshipers into its sanctuary, allowing them to gather on two separate occasions in January to sing together without masks and without observing the two-metre distance recommended by health authorities to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. 

The church was served with a restraining order from the Ministry of the Attorney General in February, ordering it to abide by the Reopening Ontario Act. 

Lisa Bildy, the lawyer representing the Church of God at Aylmer, told CBC News in an email that she has yet to learn the particulars of the latest charges.

However, she said she is challenging the earlier charges against church leaders and parishioners on constitutional grounds, with a hearing set for July. 

Bildy also said in her email that the province could file a motion for the church to be found in contempt of court, if it can prove the church leaders and parishioners violated the restraining order imposed on them in February. 

Horvat said Wednesday his officers have been trying to take a measured approach in dealing with the church's defiance, but it doesn't seem to be working. 

"The fact of the matter is we've dealt with that particular group and they seem to be defiant in obeying emergency measures," he said. "They're just not getting the message.

"You think that perhaps a warning would suffice and they would comply, but they don't so the officers are put in the position where they don't have any other choice but to charge," said Horvat.

"We can't be taking these things lightly."

Independent MPP Randy Hillier, MP Derek Sloan and London nurse Kristen Nagle, all known for their stance against the province's COVID-19 measures, were among those seen at the Church of God at Aylmer, Ont. during Sunday service. (The Church of God at Aylmer/Facebook)

Aylmer police say they are investigating and will be pressing charges after "one of the largest services" was held at an Aylmer, Ont. church Sunday morning that has continually defied the province's COVID-19 rules.

The Church of God at Aylmer held an in-person Sunday service that was also live streamed, where dozens of people were seen congregating indoors while not wearing masks or following physical distancing protocol. 

This comes after four people were charged on Tuesday when officers received a tip about a gathering taking place at the church. Police say upon attending, they found 18 people not following public health rules.

Under the current provincial order, indoor religious services are limited to a maximum of ten people and people must wear masks and follow social distancing rules indoors.

More than 100 people were seen in attendance for the Sunday morning service, Aylmer police Chief Zvonko Horvat told CBC News.

"As a result of the gathering today and in anticipation of emergency order breaches, we monitored a church service and observed a large number of participants who attended," Horvat said.

"This is probably one of the largest services that we've seen at the Church of God and although we don't have exact count, it would be in excess of 100 for sure."

MPP Randy Hillier and MP Derek Sloan were among those in attendance during Sunday's service and spoke alongside Pastor Henry Hildebrandt. 

Kristen Nagle, a London, Ont. nurse who was fired after speaking out against lockdown measures and organizing anti-lockdown rallies also attended Sunday's service.

An anti-lockdown protest was held in Stratford, Ont. later Sunday where Hillier, Sloan and Nagle were also seen attending.

Horvat said Aylmer police have and will continue to take a "gradual" approach to educate and liaison with the church and churchgoers.

"We've done that, we've done that over the course of the last 13 months and there doesn't seem to be any will to abide by the current rules," he said. "We're at the stage right now where we have no other option, but to proceed with the charges with those who are identified."

Horvat said while this has a significant impact on the small community of Aylmer, police will continue to take an approach to educate those not abiding by COVID-19 rules.

"From my perspective, I hope and wish that people would understand the current situation that we were in however we can't control their actions," Horvat said.