Church finds itself in court over 'noisy' worshippers

The church officials have been ordered to stop holding services at their headquarters, because neighbours have complained about the noise from services and the disruption from cars.

The officials claim their human rights are being breached and say closing the church would leave their 160-strong congregation with nowhere to worship, spelling the end of their community outreach work.

Emmanuel Inspirational Church of God runs youth projects and a senior citizens club as well as holding two lively Sunday services and a Tuesday night prayer meeting.

Bishop-elect Mark Nicholson, elder Devon Hobbs, preacher Andria Doyle and minister Lloyd Hall are all due to face Bromley magistrates on 23 July over an offence of breaching an enforcement order.

The order was issued by Croydon council when services continued despite the congregation being refused permission to worship in 2003.

They had bought the three-storey building in west Croydon after being granted temporary permission in 2001, but all further applications have been refused.

The council says the church in Union Road is in an area allocated for employment, not worship.

Mr Hobbs, 44, a childcare worker, said: "They are trying to stop us praying. Neighbours have complained about the noise but we find it ridiculous because we do a lot of community initiatives, some of which are funded by the council.

"Why would the council want to close down a church that's inspiring young people and helping them to turn their lives around?"

A council spokesman said: "Croydon has one of the strongest black church movements in the country, and many black churches have already been successfully accommodated within the borough.

"However, even though they meet a worthy cause in the community, they are not immune from planning rules."

He said concerns included "frequent unacceptable late-night noise" and parking problems.