BEREA, Ohio -- A local youth pastor is accused of having an ongoing sexual relationship with a teenager that investigators said started when the girl was 15.

The 32-year-old suspect faced a judge in Berea on Friday. Jeremy Workman is charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. He is being held on a $250,000 bond awaiting his next court appearance.

Workman served as the youth pastor at Berea Baptist Church for eight years. He recently resigned after the church discovered he was involved in an adulterous relationship.

Later, the church learned that the relationship allegedly started when the girl was 15.

"This kind of evil behavior takes place frequently in secular venues, but when it occurs in a holy setting like God's house, it is especially grievous," said Pastor Kenneth Spink.

Spink prepared a written statement for his congregation. He wanted to be sure to inform them that church officials acted properly and quickly by going to Berea police when they found out that Workman began a relationship with a 15-year-old girl who was in the youth group.

Police said the two had sex 30 to 50 times while the girl was 15 and 16 years old, many times inside the church.

"He's in a position as an adult and a pastor to say no in those circumstances. He failed in his duties four years ago and that's what leads us to being here today," said Detective Dennis Bort.

Four years ago, when the alleged relationship began, Workman lived next to the church. The girl, who is now 19, is pregnant. Police said it is Workman's child.

"She doesn't consider herself a victim. She thinks she's in love with the guy and everything's OK. But the statutes of Ohio say that you can't have sex with a 15-year-old girl," said Bort.

Workman, who is married with a son, had no criminal past.

"We certainly hope the young people can recover. We want to hire a youth pastor some day and we're taking measures to ensure this doesn't happen again," said Spink.