Pastor Of Noisy Church Jailed For Excessive Sound Amplification

COLUMBIA, S.C.; by Benson Agoha

Pastor Johnny Clark who oversees the Rehoboth United Assemblies Church in Columbia, South Carolina, is serving a two week jail time for noise making. It followed a three-day trial after neighours complained of being disturbed by too much noise from the Church.

* Pastor Johnny Clark is serving a two week jail term.
(Photo Credit: USAToday)

According to USA today, the church and its neighbours have been at loggerheads over the level of noise coming out during worship, especially at quiet times.

Police have been called to the church more than 50 times for noise complaints and, according to local residents, the noise coming from the musical equipment could be heard late into the evening and early in the morning.

The neighbors recorded some of the episodes as part of their evidence of the noise and prosecutors tendered them during the trial.

It was not the first time that the church will be charged and has already paid several of their fines for multiple violations of the city noise ordinance. After the verdict, Pastor Clark must now not only pay money, but spend time in jail.

His wife, Harriet Clark, who now has to conduct services alone said "I can't believe it, jail time, for serving God, what's next?"

"They are trying to tell us how not to worship," Clark said. "We have church at 7:30, so what does that mean we only have 30 minutes to worship?"

And some members believe their rights are being violated as they can't praise God in their own way.

"It's up to the neighbors to say if its irritating to them or a nuisance to them,"  Thomas Borders, a member of 20 years said. "Well, you can get a weed eater and go outside and if someone complains nothing will be done, but when it comes to worshiping God its now a problem."

In June, a judge granted an injunction that would prohibit the church from using sound-amplifying devices like drums or microphones between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. On multiple occasions, officers were called to the church and said that the worship was too loud.

The church has owned the property for several years and thinks it's not fair that they are being punished because of the close proximity to their neighbors.

Clark says the only solution is to soundproof the building, which will be very expensive.

"Everyone is just praying that this will be settled but the only way I know is to go through a lot of expenses to sound proof the church."