By Tracy Simmons | FāVS News
Two separate sexual abuse investigations have emerged involving former members of Trinity Church in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, a congregation affiliated with Moscow’s controversial Christ Church.
Police records show the Coeur d’Alene Police Department conducted parallel investigations in October 2024 involving allegations spanning multiple years, with church leadership’s response coming under scrutiny in both cases.
Former church deacon charged in child sex abuse case
John “Beau” Summerlin, 55, a founding member and former deacon of Trinity Church, has been charged with sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16 and lewd conduct with a minor, both felonies. According to police reports, the alleged sexual abuse was against a family member and occurred between 2012 and 2015. According to police documents, when confronted by officers, Summerlin acknowledged inappropriate touching.
Police records indicate the victim first disclosed the abuse to her mother in 2015, leading to Summerlin temporarily moving out of the home before being allowed to return after claims of repentance. When the victim approached Trinity Church’s then lead pastor, Stuart Bryan, in 2018, she was told that since the family had handled the matter internally, he “couldn’t tell her in good conscience to dig it back up again at this time,” according to police reports.
The victim called Pastor Bryan again in recent months, reaching out late one night while in Mississippi when she was troubled by Summerlin’s lack of repentance and his blaming of her. According to police reports, Bryan told her to let him know if there was anything he could do and to reach out, “even though that’s what she was currently doing.”
Summerlin was arrested in Mississippi and as of November, was being held on a $250,000 bail.
Pastor’s son faces child sex abuse charges
In a parallel investigation, authorities charged Josiah Bryan, son of Pastor Stuart Bryan, with three counts of lewd conduct with a child under the age of 16. In Idaho that’s a felony punishable by up to life in prison. The allegations involve multiple siblings, with incidents reportedly occurring between 2005 and 2010 in both Spokane and Coeur d’Alene.
Bryan, now 31, was between 9 and 14 years old during the alleged incidents. He was arrested at Fort Sam Houston in Texas here he had been working as an Army nurse.
According to police reports, Bryan said he has been forgiven and that having guilt about what happened is a “sin in itself.”
The Bryan case investigation began when a church member reported concerns to authorities on Oct. 1, 2024. Detectives traveled to San Antonio to interview Bryan before arresting him on a $150,000 warrant and extraditing him to Coeur d’Alene. In November, he posted bail.
Church handled abuse claims internally, records show
The investigations reveal a pattern of handling abuse allegations primarily as internal church matters, similar to criticisms faced by Christ Church leader Doug Wilson. Trinity Church is part of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, founded by Wilson. Wilson has been accused of requesting leniency for convicted abusers, siding with alleged perpetrators over victims and discouraging victims from speaking out. Critics have also cited instances of Wilson minimizing sexual abuse.
Police records indicate that in both instances out of Coeur d’Alene, the church initially handled the allegations as spiritual or moral issues rather than criminal matters requiring law enforcement involvement. During recorded conversations with police, Summerlin said he believes the judicial system does not handle such cases “for the good of either individual.”
Trinity Church was established in 2006 and Stuart Bryan became pastor in August 2007. On the church website, however, he is no longer listed as part of the church’s leadership.
Police did not respond to requests for comment on this story.
Police are asking anyone with information either case to contact Detective Dan Haley at 208-769-2320.
Join us in sustaining this essential work or religion reporting—donate today.
