St. Charles venue won’t host controversial pastor; conservative group says it ‘won’t be silenced’

It was like deja vu all over again.

Last fall, activists called every venue that the Three Headed Eagle Alliance, a Geneva-based conservative group, tried to rent so people could hear a talk by Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, one of the planners of the Jan. 6, 2021, mob attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Eagle Brook Country Club in Geneva canceled. So did other venues after protesters called.

Rhodes ended up speaking at a church in Elgin.

Now, the Three Headed Eagle has invited a controversial Milwaukee pastor, Matthew Trewhella, as its next Pints and Politics speaker, from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 21.

The event was scheduled to take place at Royal Fox Country Club in St. Charles.

But Royal Fox General Manager Jake Rieger confirmed on Tuesday that Trewhella will not be speaking there next week.

“We are not hosting that event,” Rieger said. “We never approved this guy to come to our club.”

The Three Headed Eagle Alliance says it will announce a new location.

Trewhella founded an anti-abortion organization, Missionaries to the Preborn, and is the author of “The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates: A Proper Response to Tyranny and a Repudiation of Unlimited Obedience to Civic Government.”

It refers to 16th century reformer John Calvin’s advocacy for lesser magistrates – like a sheriff or prince – to obey God instead of the king, according to Britannica online.

“He will be discussing constitutional and biblical arguments as it relates to government policies,” according to the Three Headed Eagle’s website.

Trewhella has also preached against the LGBTQ+ community.

St. Charles resident Miki Powell of We Can Lead Change Fox Valley and Elburn veteran Jen Hall both relied on social media to spread the word and to encourage phone calls and emails to the country club.

“We found out about it Sunday night and jumped on it right away,” Powell said. “Monday morning, we had a petition ready to go. ... (Trewhella) is as bad as Stewart Rhodes.”

Hall picketed outside Eagle Brook last year against the country club allowing Rhodes to speak, before that decision was reversed.

“As a veteran, I strongly oppose the Three Headed Eagle Alliance’s speaker selections, as many go absolutely against the Constitution and the values this country was made on,” Hall said.

An email statement from the Three Headed Eagle Alliance board said its “mission is to broaden understanding of both local and national issues that impact citizens’ lives.”

“As stated on our website, our purpose is educational – empowering people with information so they can think critically and independently,” according to the statement.

“Matt Trewhella presents viewpoints that combine biblical perspectives with constitutional principles. While not everyone will agree with every speaker, we believe open dialogue is essential in a free society,” the statement continued. “It is concerning when some seek to control organizations or limit the flow of information.”

The Three Headed Eagle Alliance has secured venue options that respect and uphold freedom of speech, according to the statement.

“We will not be silenced, and we will continue to work with partners who share our commitment to open expression,” the statement reads.

Mercy Seat Christian Church in Milwaukee, where Trewhella is pastor, did not respond to a voicemail message seeking comment.