I live within a one-block radius of four churches. While I respect everyone’s right to worship whoever, whatever and wherever they choose, but at the same time it should not infringe upon those who don’t follow that faith. Churchs’ impact on the neighborhood goes beyond just the influx of parishioners and resulting traffic congestion, lack of parking and overabundance of double-parking. While I’ll spare you my own opinions on the overwhelming number of “churches” in Newburgh and their impact on the city; rather I’d like to discuss how one church who egregiously impacts the neighborhood. We need to address an issue with a specific church: Life Restoration Church, Inc. Located on the corner of 1st and Chambers Streets, its battered building occupies half the block on both streets; a scale that has an outsized impact on its neighborhood.

The specific situation happens EVERY Sunday morning when services start at 9:00 am and the neighborhood is forced to listen to an amplified version of the sermon. It should be understood that the church purposely puts a professional-grade amplifier speaker outside the building on Chambers Street. If you live within a multi-block radius of the church, you are forced to endure the sermon, music and noise for three hours every Sunday.

It is the congregation’s prerogative to worship as boisterously and exuberantly as they want but this noise level goes beyond simple ambient noise emitting from inside the building. Higher than any noise level we’re accustomed to being a part of the urban fabric with the regular block parties and backyard barbecues. It’s more than mere ambient noise, reaching levels that prevent neighbors from being able to experience a tranquil Sunday morning in their own homes. I am fortunate to have a patio, but for those three hours, it’s impossible to work, read or simply enjoy a cup of coffee.

Even with the windows closed in your home, the decibel level exceeds what one would reasonably expect to emanate from a home or business and while muffled can still be heard. This church purposely broadcasts the service across the entire neighborhood, exhibiting a callous disregard for the community’s personal religious beliefs or a simple desire to work, relax or sleep without interruption. Only on the colder or wetter Sundays does the neighborhood get any reprieve when it’s prohibitive to have the amp outside. Otherwise, neighbors have no other recourse than to hope for rain for any respite.

It is inappropriate to broadcast the service weekly so loudly that neighbors who are obligated to listen and are forced to worship-by-proxy. This is hardly the example of tolerance and inclusivity one would hope to experience in a city that prides itself on upholding these virtues. Additionally, it’s arrogant to think this represents being a good civic citizen in the larger community. What’s more astounding is that the preacher and owner of the church is our esteemed City Councilmember Robert McLymore. More astoundingly is that a city leader and police officer would purposely flaunt civic responsibility and laws concerning excessive noise in Newburgh.

Several attempts to address the issue have been made; registering multiple requests on the SeeClickFix app which suspiciously disappear after being logged. Emails to the Codes Department go unanswered and unreturned. I’ve considered reporting this to the police on Sundays but I recognize that they have more important matters to handle and if I did they would follow the same pattern of dismissal as previous requests. With a city already dealing with perceived corruption — whether accurate or not — you would think a city leader would conduct themselves in a manner befitting their role.

With this letter, I am hoping that Councilmember McLymore addresses the issues and concerns of the citizens he represents. From speaking with neighbors, I am not alone in this frustration and want change. Sunday mornings in Newburgh, especially in the summer, have always been amazing; with little to no traffic, it offers a quiet and peaceful opportunity to revel in the sunshine.