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Church finds itself in court over 'noisy' worshippers
Elizabeth Hopkirk30.06.08
A bishop and three church trustees are being taken to court in a bid to stop them praying.
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.
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Reader views (2)
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I am a member of the church and we have made the effort to accommodate our neighbours by doing the following things. Firstly we have been encouraged as members and visitors to use rented parking spaces in the car park of a council owned building on Willis road called "Cornerstone". When leaving the building we are told to avoid congregating on the side walk in front of the building and to leave quietly at all times. In a typical church service the worship or singing session only last 30 -45 mins max. The building was empty for 12 years before the church bought it and the only employment that was been provided was to the pigeons and other birds that occupied it.It is my opinion that the council seem to be more interested in keeping other faiths happy in Croydon and are granting change of usage for buildings that used to provide employment an example of this is on Gillet Road in Thornton Heath a pub is now a mosque. This country's main religion is Christianity but Christians seem to have less rights than people of other faiths and beliefs.
- Paulette Barker, Croydon, Surrey
Having knowledge of the area the council all continue to shoot themselves in the foot when we consider the fact that the church is located behind a road between Thornton Heath and Croydon town centre. The road is a virtual race track for the police going to and from crime scenes. A church doing good things in a community which needs the help should be helped. The council continue being silly as the building was opened for use in 2004 by the Mayor of Croydon, go figure. The church has critically reduced it's meeting agenda and hosts larger events of site all in continued efforts to appease less than 15 neighbours in six houses. A vast majority of the street are in support of the church but as to be expected the council avoids the side of common sense. The church provides employment and stimulates employment in the area and for all those who attend and take part in the community programmes. Those poor people facing court charges lets all support in prayers visits and comments. This country is going to the dogs when holy men can be taken to court. What a joke that we send soldiers around the globe to fight for freedom when people in our own country are suffering from the loss of some their rights. I will start going and stick two fingers to the council, what are they doing to help. It looks like this only happens in Tory seats look at what happened to KICC tories hate churches let us hope the Christians remember this when it counts.
- Junior Hall, Croydon, Surrey
