Bay Area church continues to defy health order by holding mask-free indoor Christmas Eve service

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Calvary Chapel San Jose held an indoor Christmas Eve candlelight service Thursday night, a direct violation of the state and county public health order as COVID cases surge across the Bay Area.

The church faces more than $1 million in administrative fines for a slew of violations including hosting indoor services without masks for months. According to county officials, so far no fines have been paid.

RELATED: San Jose church repeatedly fined for defying health order received $340K in taxpayer money

"I don't know anybody who's died from COVID, not one person has gotten it in our church," said Katy McDowell, who was attending the service. "So maybe people need to turn to God so they don't have to worry about all these things and wear a mask."

McDowell told ABC7 News she believes no one is dying from COVID-19 and the virus is exaggerated.

Stephanie: "What will it take for you to understand people are dying from this virus?"

McDowell: "People are dying from suicide, people are dying from throwing themselves off bridges."

Stephanie: "So you don't see that you're risking peoples' lives?"

McDowell: "I'm not risking lives... I'm saving lives..."

Stephanie: "You're saving lives by not wearing a mask and congregating indoors?"

McDowell: "If you're wearing a mask why are you worried about me?"

Calvary Chapel San Jose held an indoor Christmas Eve candlelight service Thursday night, a direct violation of the state and county public health order as COVID cases surge across the Bay Area.

McDowell is one of roughly 700 people that attend indoor services at San Jose Calvary church since at least August.

Many other churchgoers also seemed to dismiss any risk of losing their own life or spreading the disease to someone else, instead, they awaited holy salvation.

"If you think this world is it and you are gone and done after this, then protecting this life is everything. For the rest of us, you realize eternity and things greater than that are there," said Tim Glass, who traveled from Manteca to be at the Christmas Eve service.

A man who only gave his first name, Rick, had a similar sentiment.

"God knows I'm going to die and I don't fear death. There have been viruses in the world since the beginning of time and they've taken a lot of lives, but so have guns and so have knives and spoons and clubs," said Rick.

Another man who declined to give his name admitted, he has underlying health conditions, but wasn't worried about attending a service with hundreds of mask-less people.

WATCH: San Jose church fighting back against county as pastor faces fines, jail time for holding indoor services

Several pastors made impassioned pleas Friday to keep their churches open to those suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite legal action from Santa Clara County after one church held indoor gatherings in violation of public health orders.

"I have heart problems. I'm asthmatic. I'm always going to church and always going everywhere. Am I dead? No!" he exclaimed.

"Our goal has always been that they come into compliance with the health orders and they do so now because they are putting people's lives at risk," said James Williams, Santa Clara County Counsel.

The ABC7 I-Team made seven attempts with emails and phone calls over the past five days to reach the church's lead Pastor Mike McClure. We have yet to hear back.

ABC7's Stephanie Sierra knocked on the church doors Friday with hopes to speak with him but was told he "was out of town" and will be "out all week."

RELATED: Ignoring warnings, Kirk Cameron hosts 2nd caroling event as COVID-19 surges in SoCal

Dozens of people, most of them not wearing masks, showed up for a second caroling event hosted by actor Kirk Cameron in Thousand Oaks, as the region deals with a dangerous surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths.

Yet, according to the church's live YouTube channel, McClure was present at the candlelight service.

Pastor McClure has previously said he has no intention to shut down his services and that he's even willing to go to jail for it.

"We will continue to pursue enforcement against their lawbreaking activities," said Williams. "We will continue to be active in doing so and there are real consequences."

If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.

Get the latest news, information and videos about the novel coronavirus pandemic here

RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:

• From COVID-19 to Black Lives Matter, these 13 people defined the Bay Area in 2020
• Map: CA counties that can, can't reopen under new rules
• CALCULATOR: Find out how many people may get a COVID-19 vaccine before you
• VIDEO: When will I get the COVID-19 vaccine? We explain who goes 1st
• COVID-19 risk calculator: The safest and most dangerous things to do this holiday season
• Want to get a COVID-19 test in time for the holidays? Here's what you need to know
• Updated number of COVID-19 deaths, cases in Bay Area
• Map shows everywhere you can get a COVID-19 test in the Bay Area
• COVID-19 Diaries: Personal stories of Bay Area residents during pandemic
• California EDD: The most commonly asked questions we get about unemployment and PUA
• Health experts urge flu shots in effort to avoid 'twindemic'
• How to tell the difference between seasonal allergies and coronavirus symptoms
• Here's which mask is better to protect from COVID-19
• First COVID-19 vaccine volunteers in US describe experience as Bay Area launches vaccine trials
• Coronavirus origin: Where did COVID-19 come from?
• What is a COVID-19 genetic, antigen and antibody test?
• What will it take to get a COVID-19 vaccine and how will it be made?
• What does COVID-19 do to your body and why does it spread so easily?
• Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
• Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area
• Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic