In the US, specifically California, the so-called "mandatory" lockdowns were in effect without real legal threat. There were no police checkpoints and no meaningful enforcement. It was obvious that some people completely ignored the situation and did what they pleased regardless because they could claim they were "essential workers".

I recall churches attempting to operate and getting sued.

Organized gatherings are always going to attract more attention. Especially if they involve singing during a respiratory virus pandemic. There were some pretty good outbreaks related to group singing, as I recall.