WALKERTON, Ind. -- A business in Walkerton is getting national attention and backlash following its statements and stance on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Memories Pizza is on the record saying it wouldn't cater gay weddings, and that stance has gone viral online.

“I don’t have a problem with gay people, I do not condone gay marriage and that’s what I said,” co-owner Kevin O’Connor explained to The Daily Beast. “I don’t turn anybody away from the store, I don’t have a problem with gay people. I just don’t condone the marriage.”

Co-owner Crystal O'Connor talked with TheBlaze Wednesday evening.

"I don't know if we will re-open," she said when asked about the backlash the business has received. She also said her family is considering leaving town. "We're in hiding, basically."

"We're very hurt and confused," she added. "We stood up for what we believe. We said we would serve anyone who walked in the door -- even gays -- but we would not condone a wedding, we would not cater for it because that's against our religious beliefs."

Memories Pizza sees outpouring of support on GoFundMe

More than $14,000 was raised in under an hour on GoFundMe by supporters of Memories Pizza. The page was set up by commentator for TheBlaze.

After three hours, 661 people had donated and the total had reached over $26,000.

By late Thursday evening it was more than ten times that, with more than 9,500 people donating and surpassing $260,000 in one day.

On Friday morning, that total had reached more than $480,000. By 2:30 p.m. Friday, the restaurant had received more than $715,000 in donations.

The GoFundMe campaign ended around 7 p.m. Friday evening, 48 hours after it was started. Donations from 29,160 people totaled $842,387.

The O'Connor family will receive $774,996.04 after GoFundMe takes a 5% cut ($42,119.35) and 3% processing fee ($25,271.61).

See the GoFundMe page at http://www.gofundme.com/MemoriesPizza

Songs of support and solidarity
The Ripple Effect, a Christian singing group, stood outside Memories Pizza Friday afternoon, belting out church hymns. Members of the LGBT community and allies make up the troupe.

"We're out here to lend a healing hand through music," said Shari Klinedinst.

Klinedinst grew up in Walkerton.

"I couldnt sleep one night after reading some of the hate-filled Facebook posts. And I thought, 'We cant solve any problems with hate or retaliation or threats. The only way we can solve our problems is by coming back with love for another."

Fellow singer Gail Bannister wants to bridge the connection between different viewpoints.

"I just hope Memories Pizza and their owners hear we're not hating them. We want them to embrace the fact there are differences in the world," Banniser said. "Everybody that walks in the door is a customer. We're customers, too -- and we embrace them."

A "counter-campaign" is supporting the Indiana Youth Group, a non-profit organization providing services and support to LGBTQ youth. So far, its GoFundMe page has raised more than $8,000.

Local reaction

Walkerton residents expressed feelings both in support and against the shop's decision.

"I support fully what they're doing," Brandon Dickson of Walkerton said. "I think it's everybody's opinion on what they want to do. If they don't want to serve those types of people you know? I'm sorry about their luck but that's their right. You can be gay all you want. I don't believe in it. It's my belief, you know. I don't want to see it. That's about all there is to that. It's my opinion and my belief. I believe it's a choice."

When asked about his choice of heterosexuality Dickson said, "I like girls, man. I've never liked the same sex in that way and what they do I don't find appropriate. Two sexes shouldn't be together."

"The law is one that is being misinterpreted," David Vermillion of Walkerton said. "It's not, from my perspective, the governor's idea that we should encourage discrimination but rather what the bill is truly intended for; freedom for people who do take their religion seriously."

The company's Yelp review page, which you can view here, has been flooded with critical comments.

Concord coach suspended for tweet

Concord Community Schools assistant softball coach Jess Dooley has been suspended for a tweet reacting to the restaurant's statements.

Who's going to Walkerton, IN to burn down #memoriespizza w me? Agree with #FreedomofReligion bill? "That's a lifestyle they CHOOSE" Ignorant

That message was originally tweeted at 9:08 p.m. Tuesday night.

"The individual is a lay coach, meaning she is not employed by Concord as a teacher," Concord Schools Superintendent Wayne Stubbs told NewsCenter 16 in an email Wednesday. "She is, however, one of our assistant softball coaches. She is currently suspended from that position pending an investigation."

A number of viewers sent NewsCenter 16 a screenshot of Dooley's tweet. Her Twitter account has since been deleted.

Thursday, the St. Joseph County Prosecutor released the following statement:

"The St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office has received police reports from the Walkerton Police Department regarding an alleged Twitter statement made on March 31, 2015, in which the poster talks about burning down Memories Pizza in Walkerton, Indiana. Any prosecutor's office takes allegations of threatened criminal action seriously, regardless of the reasons for the statement. However, the Office has reviewed the reports and has determined that further investigation is required. This requested further investigation includes the authentication of the poster's identification, IP address, etc.

Statement from Walkerton police
The Walkerton Police Department sent out the following statement Wednesday afternoon:
The Walkerton Police Department is committed to extending professional police services to all in need, regardless of said person’s sexual, religious, or political views. We encourage all to follow Indiana Laws and Statutes. We ask that all frustrations and rebuttals with Memories Pizza’s recent media statements remain within the law.

Questions have arisen based upon Jessica Dooley’s twitter comment “Who’s going to Walkerton with me to burn down Memories Pizza”. The Walkerton Police Department has finished an investigation into this statement and submitted a case to the St. Joseph County Prosecutors office for possible charging of harassment, intimidation, and threats.

Once again, the Walkerton Police Department urges all to follow Indiana State law! Any and all violations of Indiana State Statue will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.