California churches are suing governor Gavin Newsom, for the right to keep their parishes open during the coronavirus pandemic.

Three churches, based in the Riverside and San Bernardino counties of California, argue that social distancing measures brought in by the state violate their right to religious freedom and assembly.

Mr Newsom, a Democrat, is named alongside state attorney general Xavier Becerra and employees of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Under the state’s stay-at-home order, religious services are not listed as essential, but in the lawsuit, the churches claim they should be.

One of those challenging the the measures, James Moffatt, the senior pastor at Church Unlimited, says that social distancing makes his job impossible.

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He “believes that scripture commands him as a pastor to lay hands on people and pray for them, this includes the sick”, the suit said.

“Moffatt also believes that he is required by scripture to baptise individuals, something that cannot be done at an online service.”

The pastor was fined $1,000 earlier in the month for holding a Palm Sunday service, according to the Times.

The suit was filed by the Centre for American Liberty, a nonprofit organisation based in California, and its chief executive, Harmeet K Dhillon, slammed the government’s involvement in religious activities.

“The state does not get to dictate the method of worship to the faithful,” she said.

“If a Californian is able to go to Costco or the local marijuana shop or liquor store and buy goods in a responsible, socially distanced manner, then he or she must be allowed to practice their faith using the same precautions.”

John C Eastman, a professor of law and community service at Chapman University in Orange, told the publication that the suit “has merit”.

“Services with only a single family in a pew, and spaced three pews apart, with everyone wearing masks and gloves, would accomplish the government’s purpose in a much less draconian way,” he said.

Earlier in the month, pastor Rodney Howard-Browne closed his church in Florida after being arrested for holding Sunday services.

He was unhappy with the decision but said: “I have to do this to protect the congregation – not from the virus but from a tyrannical government.”