WORCESTER — Adams Square Baptist Church pastor Kris Casey said after much research, consultation and prayer, he decided to celebrate on Sunday what he believes was the first public service for more than 10 people inside a church since Gov. Charlie Baker’s March 23 ban on gatherings of more than 10 people, a ban intended to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Casey posted his intention on Facebook last week to hold an 11 a.m. Sunday service inside his church at 266 Lincoln St. He said he also sent certified letters to Baker, Mayor Joseph Petty and Police Chief Steven Sargent to explain his reasons for resuming public worship services. He said only the mayor’s office responded, merely thanking him for inviting him to the service but declining the invitation. Casey said his three-page letter did not include an invitation to attend.

The decision by the pastor has prompted action by the city.

Monday afternoon, City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. provided a statement to the Telegram & Gazette that said, “We have delivered a letter to the Adams Square Baptist Church as a reminder that they are in violation of the Governor’s order of hosting a gathering larger than 10 people. While we certainly respect equality, religious freedom and the frustrations of not being able to host traditional public services, the Governor’s order is clear that it applies to the public safety of everyone. Self-exempting and disregarding this order puts the health of both parishioners and the wider public at risk.”

Also Monday, Mayor Petty told the newspaper, “I am deeply disappointed and dismayed that Pastor Kristopher D. Casey chose to violate the orders of the governor and the city manager, and chose to endanger his parishioners and our city as a whole by holding services. Across Massachusetts, men and women of faith have chosen to follow the best medical advice of professionals and conduct worship services virtually. This is a time when we all must make sacrifices for the good of our neighbors.”

Casey went ahead with his plan to hold the service even though the governor’s ban doesn’t end until at least May 4. He said he consulted with his church’s attorney and insurance agent and other pastors. He stated the attorney told him none of the other 200 churches he represents have held public services for 10 or more people since the ban. As pastor of his Independent Fundamental Baptist church, Casey is not overseen by a bishop, so the decision of whether to resume public services was his.

Casey said 56 people attended the service, including parishioners from Worcester and surrounding communities, but also people from Boston, Lexington, Lawrence, New Bedford and other Eastern Massachusetts communities who sought a place to worship because their churches have ceased holding public services. Casey said many weren’t Baptist.

“It’s almost a rally cry,” he said. “It’s almost people saying, ‘Look, we need to do this and we’re glad you’re doing this and we’re glad you’re taking a stand.’ That wasn’t my intention, that wasn’t my plan. My plan was to say, ‘Look, this is the church God has called me to, this is the community in which I need to preach and it doesn’t make sense to preach to pews. I’m supposed to preach to people.”

Casey said many of the attendees called the service a breath of fresh air.

“People go to Stop & Shop to get bread so they can eat,” he said, “and yet there’s a spiritual bread that people need to survive and that’s the Gospel.”

Casey said he received many calls of support on Monday.

“Just thanking us for taking a stand,” he said, “and actually having church and not bowing down to the authorities who are over us.”

He also saw criticism of his decision on Facebook and he attributed much of it to fear of the virus continuing to spread.

“The Lord tells us the only thing we should fear is Him,” he said.

The governor ruled that places of worship can remain open, but prohibited gatherings of 10 or more people. Nevertheless, no one from the state or city arrived on Sunday to try to stop the service.

Casey said he considers banning church services to be a violation of the First and 14th Amendments to the Constitution, Article 2 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights, the U.S. Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act.

Casey said his “nonessential” church took similar or better precautions than those practiced at grocery stores, which the governor considers to be essential businesses.

As each person was about to enter the church, his or her temperature was taken with a touchless thermometer. The church provided hand sanitizer, masks and gloves to those who didn’t have them, and everyone other than family members sat at least six feet apart in the church, which can seat up to 300. Communion was not served. Before the pandemic, 75 to 125 people typically attended Sunday services.

The church was sanitized both before and after the service.

During the previous few weeks, Casey celebrated livestreamed services with fewer than 10 people, including his wife, Rachael, and their four children, ages 7-14, who spread throughout the church. Sunday’s public service was also livestreamed. Rachael posted photos of 60 to 70 parishioners throughout the church for the closed services.

On Easter Sunday, Casey also held a separate drive-in service, preaching from the church’s back deck to about 15 parishioners who remained inside their cars in the parking lot.

Casey said he knows of some small churches that have continued to hold services for fewer than 10 people.

Casey said he plans to hold another service at 7 p.m. Wednesday, when normally fewer than 20 people attend, and he’ll continue to celebrate his Sunday morning services. If too many people attend to maintain social distancing, he’ll add more services. He declined to say exactly how he would respond if the governor or city ordered him to stop holding public services, but he insisted he plans to continue to hold services on Wednesdays and Sundays.

“Nobody has the right to tell us not to worship,” he said.

Casey is in his eighth year at Adams Square Baptist Church and he never expected to be forced to take a constitutional stand to celebrate services.

“A lot of people, they’re willing to go with whatever the government says,” he said, “and they’re not willing to stand up for what is biblically right and biblically correct and they’re not willing to take a stand for the Lord.”

Contact Bill Doyle atwilliam.doyle@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter@BillDoyle15