A special and rare hearing will be held on Saturday to determine whether a Winnipeg church can hold drive-in services while it challenges a COVID-19-related ban on in-person services.

The Court of Queen's Bench Chief Justice Glenn Joyal has agreed to hear the application from Springs Church.

Springs says it has taken precautions to keep congregants safe and a provincial order that only allows services online is unconstitutional.

"This is a church which is not anti-maskers, they're not COVID disbelievers," Kevin Williams, the church's lawyer, told court Thursday.

Springs Church and two of its pastors have already been fined $32,000 for allowing people to gather in their vehicles while a pastor speaks from an outdoor stage.

Joyal says he will make his decision ahead of Springs' scheduled Saturday evening gathering. The decision is expected to apply only to Springs.

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