Chapelstreet Church Lawsuit & Investigations

A lawsuit filed in Kane County, Illinois, accuses Chapelstreet Church (First Baptist Church of Geneva) and its longtime pastor Brian Coffey of failing to protect a child from sexual abuse committed by church leader Don Vanthournout. The complaint alleges that Coffey and the church were warned in 2010 that Vanthournout had admitted to molesting another minor decades earlier but allowed him to remain in leadership and host children. Between 2011 and 2018, Vanthournout allegedly groomed and repeatedly sexually abused the young son of missionary parents staying at his home during church-sponsored furloughs. The lawsuit claims institutional negligence and concealment, asserting that the church’s inaction enabled further abuse, and failed to take the proper actions to prevent it.

The sexual abuse attorneys at Kayla’s Survivors are actively pursuing claims against Chapelstreet Church of Geneva, IL and its associated members including Brian Coffey and Don Vanthournout. If you or a loved one has suffered sexual abuse, assault, or misconduct as a visitor or member of Chapelstreet Church, you may be eligible to recover compensation. Get started with your case by calling (800) 509-9747 or tell us what happened online – always 100% free and confidential.

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Lawsuit Timeline & Allegations: Chapelstreet Church

2025: Civil Lawsuit Filed

• A lawsuit is filed in Kane County, Illinois, naming Chapelstreet Church (First Baptist Church of Geneva), Pastor Brian Coffey, and Don Vanthournout as defendants.
• The complaint alleges that church leadership knew of prior sexual abuse admissions by Vanthournout yet allowed him continued access to minors, resulting in further abuse of a child missionary between 2011 and 2018.
• Brian Coffey is serving as Interim Lead Pastor at the time of filing.

2018: Continued Sexual Abuse During Missionary Furlough

• The plaintiff and his family stay again at Vanthournout’s residence in Kane County, Illinois, while on a Chapelstreet-sponsored missionary furlough.
• Allegation: Vanthournout continues to sexually abuse the plaintiff.
• Church involvement: Chapelstreet assists the family with travel and instruments but takes no steps to warn or supervise, despite prior notice of Vanthournout’s history.

2017: Escalation of Sexual Abuse

• Plaintiff (age 13) and his sibling spend the summer living with Vanthournout.
• Both attend Chapelstreet events and Bible studies led by him.
• Allegation: Sexual abuse escalates to forced touching, showering together, and anal penetration.
• Church negligence: Coffey and Chapelstreet allegedly knew of the living arrangement but failed to intervene.

2011: Initial Grooming of the Plaintiff

• The missionary family, affiliated with Chapelstreet, stays at Vanthournout’s home during a summer furlough.
• Allegation: Vanthournout begins grooming the plaintiff (age 6) through hand-holding, inappropriate touching, and sharing a bed.
• Church knowledge: Chapelstreet leadership was aware of the family’s stay but provided no warnings or safeguards.

2010: Church Placed on Notice of Prior Sexual Abuse

• April 2010: Survivor #1 meets with Pastor Brian Coffey, providing letters documenting Vanthournout’s sexual abuse of a 14-year-old boy in 1983 and Vanthournout’s written admission of the abuse.
• August 27, 2010: Chicago Tribune article identifies Vanthournout as a Chapelstreet youth leader mentoring teens about dating and pornography.
• September 2010: Survivor #1 emails Coffey expressing alarm; Coffey replies that Vanthournout is on “sabbatical” and that he wishes to keep the matter confidential.
• Allegation: Despite documentary proof and direct notice, Coffey and Chapelstreet failed to remove, report, or warn about Vanthournout.

2007: Written Admission of Prior Abuse

• Survivor #1 writes to Vanthournout describing sexual abuse that occurred in 1983.
• Vanthournout replies with a letter acknowledging the abuse, apologizing, and offering financial compensation, constituting a written admission of child sexual abuse.

1983: Original Sexual Abuse Incident

Alleged acts: grooming, coerced bed-sharing, and genital touching. This event forms the earliest known instance of Vanthournout’s alleged sexual misconduct referenced in the lawsuit.

Survivor #1 (age 14) alleges sexual abuse by Don Vanthournout, then in his twenties, during a church-sponsored trip to a cabin in Harris Park, Colorado.

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Individual Liability Claims

Claim I – Childhood Sexual Abuse

Defendant:

• Don Vanthournout (individual)

Legal Basis:

• 735 ILCS 5/13-202.2: Illinois civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims.
• Plaintiff alleges that Vanthournout committed multiple acts of sexual abuse between 2011 and 2018 while Plaintiff was under 18.

Key Allegations:

• Vanthournout used his position of authority within the church to groom and sexually abuse the Plaintiff.
• Abuse allegedly included:
  • Forcing Plaintiff to share a bed and shower with him.
  • Touching Plaintiff’s genitals and forcing reciprocal touching.
  • Engaging in anal penetration.
• All alleged abuse occurred at Vanthournout’s home in Kane County, Illinois during periods when he was entrusted with the Plaintiff’s care through church-sponsored activities.

Relief Sought:

• Compensatory damages exceeding $50,000 for physical and emotional trauma, ongoing psychological harm, and therapy costs.

Institutional Liability Claims

Claim II – Negligent Retention

Defendants:

• Chapelstreet Church (institution)
• Brian Coffey (individual, in his professional and personal capacity)

Legal Basis:

• Most institutional abuse claims are filed as a result of failure to exercise reasonable care in retaining an employee/agent known to pose a risk.

Key Allegations:

• Knowledge of prior abuse:
  • In 2010, Coffey (as Lead Pastor) was explicitly informed that Vanthournout had sexually abused a minor (Victim #1).
  • Coffey received written correspondence, including Vanthournout’s own admission letter.
• Despite this, Coffey and Chapelstreet retained Vanthournout as a volunteer/leader and continued to represent him as a trusted church figure.
• Chapelstreet allegedly failed to remove or restrict him from positions of influence or access to minors.
• Coffey and church officials allowed missionary families (including the Plaintiff’s) to stay with Vanthournout without warning them of his history.

Alleged Breaches of Duty:

• Failure to investigate or act on credible reports of child sexual abuse.
• Failure to terminate or remove a known offender from ministry.
• Failure to warn church members and missionary families of known risks.

Relief Sought:

• Damages >$50,000 for emotional distress, pain and suffering, and ongoing medical & psychological treatment.

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Claim III – Negligent Supervision

Defendants:

• Chapelstreet Church (institution)
• Brian Coffey (individual, as supervisory leader)

Legal Basis:

• Common law negligence – failure to reasonably supervise an employee/agent whose position involves contact with minors.

Key Allegations:

• Defendants had a duty to supervise church leaders, especially those working with youth.
• Coffey and Chapelstreet knew or should have known that Vanthournout posed a risk to children due to the 2010 disclosure and admissions.
• Despite this, they:
  • Permitted him to lead youth programs and Bible studies.
  • Allowed him to host minors, including the Plaintiff, at his home.
  • Did not monitor or enforce boundaries between Vanthournout and youth.
  • Failed to implement or enforce child protection policies.

Alleged Breaches of Duty:

• No adequate supervision or oversight of Vanthournout’s interactions with minors.
• No follow-up or investigation into the 2010 abuse report.
• No safeguards during missionary furloughs involving minors.

Relief Sought:

• Damages >$50,000 for negligent failure to supervise and protect Plaintiff, resulting in prolonged sexual abuse and trauma.

Get Help From Kayla’s Survivors By Requesting A Free Case Evaluation

If you or a loved one has suffered sexual assault, abuse, or misconduct as a visitor or member of Chapelstreet Church, call (800) 509-9747 or request a free case evaluation online. Our attorneys are here to listen and provide support – 100% free and confidential.

The Chicago sexual abuse attorneys at Kayla’s Survivors have helped recover over $1 billion for survivors and have held countless organizations accountable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can file a sexual abuse lawsuit against Chapelstreet Church?

Anyone who was sexually abused by Don Vanthournout, or by another individual affiliated with Chapelstreet Church (First Baptist Church of Geneva), may have the right to pursue a civil claim. This includes individuals abused as minors, even if the abuse occurred years or decades ago, as Illinois law provides extended time limits for child sexual abuse cases.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit against Churchstreet Church?

Illinois law recognizes that survivors often need time before coming forward. Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202.2, survivors can generally file a civil claim within 20 years after turning 18, or within 5 years of discovering that their emotional injuries were caused by the abuse, whichever is later. In many cases, the statute of limitations may still be open, even for incidents that happened decades ago.

What compensation can be recovered?

Survivors of sexual abuse at Churchstreet Church may be eligible to recover compensation for therapy, medical expenses, lost income, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and any other related economic and non-economic damages related to the abuse.