Some churches reopen and some do not this Memorial weekend

On Friday, President Trump announced churches can reopen this Memorial weekend, calling houses of worship “essential.”

News Channel 3 shows one church that opened and one that did not.

Church Unlimited in Indio opened its doors this weekend to welcome the congregation back in addition to continuing their online service.

“Never again will the house of God close. Never again will the church doors close. They are open to whoever is hungry and thirsty,” a pastor of Church Unlimited said as we watched the service online.

George Ortega like many other churchgoers showed up in person.

“For me, it’s very essential. We need this," Ortega said. "Since we stopped this we haven’t been the same and we just want to say thank you, Father God, for allowing churches to reopen today. It’s very essential. Thank you President Trump for acknowledging this and praise God,” he added.

“Houses of worship, churches, synagogues and mosques are essential places that provide essential service,” President Trump said Friday.

The state of California is still banning in-person church services.

“I will override the Governors. In America we need more prayer, not less,” Trump added.

But not all churches were ready to open this weekend. A different story at Sacred Heart in Palm Desert where their parking lot was empty.

Reverend Monsignor Howard Lincoln told News Channel 3 they might be ready to open up next weekend, May 31.

Desert Springs Church also in Palm Desert told News Channel 3 they need to a few more weeks to prepare safety and protection procedures.

Pastor Stephen Sloat of Coachella Valley Christian Church says they are also not ready to reopen this weekend but are considering opening on Pentecost which is May 31 as well.