The head of an iconic Bridgeport church has been kicked out of his parish after months of bitter legal battles.

Pastor Kenneth Moales, Jr. told News 12 it was finally over for the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit.

For more than half a century, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit has been a defining feature of the Bridgeport landscape with Moales at the helm of the parish since the death of his father, the church’s iconic founder, in 2010.

“Personally, I can’t believe this is happening,” Moales said.

Moales said he got the call on Friday saying the locks were about to be changed and he would have to pack his bags and leave before the commissioners arrived. Just three months ago, State Senator Marilyn Moore led a delegation of senior state leaders who wanted to help Moales fight a multi-million dollar lockdown action he said was a classic example of a predatory lending practice that targets black churches.

“It’s illegal, it’s called a white collar crime,” he added.

Two weeks ago, Moales claimed the lender forged documents while asking for the eviction order to be overturned.

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, who spoke to Moales by phone on Saturday, has pledged to help the church.

“We stand in solidarity with him, with the pastor, with the parishioners of this church,” said Ganim. “Anything we can do as a city, as community leaders, we want to do for the church.”