If you reside within Southern Marine Park in the vicinity of Flatbush Avenue, chances are that you are cognizant of the bells being rung every hour, on the hour, by St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Although I live a few blocks away, I oftentimes hear the bells very clearly so one can imagine what they must sound like for residents adjacent to the church. One displeased resident on Coleman Street between Flatlands Avenue and Avenue P has chosen to voice his/her concern through artistic means for at least the past year, possibly two years. Reminiscent of Edvard Munch’s “The Scream,” the painting displayed in front of the house (in addition to the signage) clearly exhibits the owner’s sentiments toward the bells.
Can neighbors offer some further information concerning this? Has St. Thomas reached out to this owner? Since this signage is still up, it is probably safe to say that this problem has not been rectified and may not be for quite some while.
I don’t think it’s St. Thomas’ bells you’re hearing every hour but the the bells at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Ave. R. If I’m not mistaken, the bells at St. Thomas are only rung for Mass and there are fewer and fewer of those.
There has been an ongoing discussion between the homeowner and the pastor but what can you say? If you buy a house on the block of a church, you’re likely to hear bells. I’ll bet those signs are doing a number on the people trying to sell their homes there.
yes the bells go off every hr.& at 12 noon & 6 pm for 3 1/2 min.The pastor will not talk to us about it. & it is ST.THOMAS.Come knock on my door so we can talk about it.I’ll even give you a cup of coffee.
I live halfway between the two churches, probably closer to St. Thomas and I’ve never heard them unless I’m in church. I hear the ones from Ave. R easily.
The situation you describe sounds very difficult to live with and it seems that it could be easily remedied with the cooperation of the pastor. It’s a shame that a compromise can’t be reached.
I live around the corner, about 1/2 block from St. Thomas Aquinas, and I can assure you that these “bells” (I have been told that they are recordings of bells which are broadcast through the neighborhood via loudspeakers), are incredibly loud to those who live nearby. If I have company in my rear garden in the summer, all conversation must stop until the “bells” have ceased; and they do not permit me to sleep past 7:50 a.m. on Sunday mornings. My sympathies go to the people who live between Holy Trinity on Avenue R and St. Thomas Aquinas – they get it from both ends!!
These “bells” are sounded every hour on the hour, Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (and at other times – e.g., 5:20 p.m. on Saturdays), with hymns and other “music” played at noon and 6:00 p.m.. And if that wasn’t bad enough, on Sundays, the “bells” BEGIN at 7:50 a.m., and are repeated at around 10:10 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 12:20 p.m., etc., depending on when they have services (obviously they don’t want to disturb their own services).
Also, these “bells” began in November of 2006, after at least 40 years, according to the long time residents of the area, of silence. Neighbors of the Church, including myself, notified their offices soon after the commencement of the “ringing” – objecting to the timing, frequency and loudness of the bells. Upon meeting with several neighbors, including the person with the signage that is pictured on this site, a petition was drawn up, which was signed by almost 60 neighbors, stating our objections and requesting a meeting with Pastor Doyle. Doyle has never met with me, or the other neighbors active in this matter, despite our numerous requests to do so (a passing word to the neighbor with the signs does not equal a meeting on the subject). This issue was also raised in a letter to the Diocese of Brooklyn; the Diocese’s response was to back Doyle, without speaking to the community.
Unfortunately, dispite numerous complaints to the City, ECB has done nothing. And, from what I can tell, the ECB hearing officers misapply the City ordinance, which exempts schools and religious institutions’ use of instruments, such as bells, organs, etc., from the City noise pollution code, by applying it to RECORDINGS of such instruments which are broadcast through LOUDSPEAKERS. (The stated purpose of the noise code is to protect the City’s citizens health and ability to enjoy their property – how can any entity be exempted from this legitimate concern?)
Obviously, in addition to creating sleep issues for those who live nearby (and there are some people who work nights and must sleep during the day), and the diminishment of the enjoyment of our property, the value of the property and the ability to sell it will also be negatively impacted.
It still astounds me, but no longer surprises me, when one sees a “man of God” taking a dismissive attitude towards others. This is especially true in this case because Doyle was advised that his decision to install these “bells” has caused serious problems for his neighbors, but refuses to meet with these neighbors, or do anything to minimize its impact. Thus, the signs exhibited by our neighbors are rightfully aimed at Doyle, who apparently feels he need not consider his neighbors or his community.
Honestly, our real estate agent took us to see a home recently and it was right next to the home with all the signs and at no point were we able to take that showing seriously. My son went to the school across the street and my husband and I used to joke about what it must be like to have to live somewhere where either the bells are actually that horrible or the neighbors are that irritable. And that was before there was a camcorder mounted on a stake in the lawn. lol We don’t live there and aren’t considering it so I have no idea which one would be the one to get to us but one of the two would be bound to. Maybe he’s a great neighbor and the bells really are that bad. Or maybe they’re no worse than what I hear a few times a day while I walk around the area and he’s overreacting…I don’t know which it is and I don’t care to find out. So in response for LQuinlan- As someone looking to buy a home it’s absolutely something that people take into consideration…it was a total deal breaker for us. Would I love to walk my small children across the street to school and shopping? Absolutely. But not at the expense of my sanity. We’ll walk a few blocks and pay a bit more….
Ringing the bells every hour is excessive, unnecessary and disrespectful to the Church’s neighbors. Sure, you buy a house next to a church so you should expect to hear the bells a couple of times on Sunday and maybe once a day during the week. But, all day long??? That’s not right. I grew up in this neighborhood and never remember the bells ringing at all hours. Hearing church bells from afar, as I do, is a beautiful thing but if your’re within a couple of blocks it just becomes a loud nuisance that is totally unnecessary and unfair to people who just want some peace and quiet.
THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING .
I really like the art! So effective in its message.
In my Neighborhood of Gerritsen Beach we have a church that rings the bells every hour on the hour and i find it peaceful cause at the end of the ringing there is a single ring for the hour in case you forget your watch
Elyse, thank you for all the great information! You have certainly filled in some holes in my post so thanks for that! It is disheartening that this situation isn’t even being addressed by St. Thomas, despite all your efforts – petition, letter to the Diocese, contacting ECB. Perhaps involving local politicians?
I visit the person who has the signs in front of his house on Coleman Street. If you are in front of the house when the recording of bells starts, the volume is excessive to say the least. You cannot talk to someone while the recording is going on and on and on because you can’t hear anything except the recording. I know the person who has the signs out, John, has tried to talk to people connected to the church, attended community meetings, given signed petitions to the church, contacted the Diocese, talked to local politicians, stories have appeared in neighborhood papers, he was interviewed by and a story was on the Brooklyn News Channel, to no avail. Having lived in his house for more than 30 years, to have this noise start two years ago and not go away is a shame–shame on you Father Doyle.
30 years is too long, change is good. Carol, make the real estate appt and go with John. Request a lovely home in the wide open fields of North Dakota.
I have been a visitor to Coleman Street and have heard the infamous “bells” for myself for years. For those of you saying that “the neighborhood has changed, long live the Church” and other comments in favor of the bells… you are seriously misdirected. If you read or watched any of the press coverage, or have spoken to any of the neighbors, you would realize that they do not object to God, the Church or church bells. These people are not heathens despite what Fr. Doyle might have you think. What they DO object to is the extreme, ear-splitting VOLUME and FREQUENCY of the bells, which makes it miserable to live in a home you have lived in for 40 years or more. To add insult to injury, the residents were turned away and snubbed when they approached the Church, thinking “they must not realize how loud the bells are, surely they do not wish to annoy the community?” They are sent away, scoffed at as if they, their families, their quality of life is of no concern- the priest wishes to have no dialogue with his neighbors. If your neighbor asked you politely to turn the volume down on your stereo, wouldn’t you say, sure, SORRY I didn’t realize it was so loud… or would you stick your middle finger up at them?…well this is New York where we all have to live closer than we’d like so the only way to survive is to compromise and be courteous, isn’t it? well, Fr Doyle essentially tells them, his neighbors, community and fellow church members/ followers/supporters, that he DOESN’T GIVE A *!# what they think! He’s going to turn the volume up even higher for daring to complain, so there! He doesn’t care if he is annoying them – let’s face it, he is just pissed that someone dared to disagree with him and challenge him. Doesn’t he preach about common courtesy to your fellow man? Being caring of others? The “holier than Thou” dismissive attitude and the lack of total concern for others is much worse than the Bells themselves. These people have a right to be upset and I support them. Church bells are supposed to be WELCOMING, not blaring and obtrusive. Father Doyle – you are defeating the entire purpose of the bells simply by refusing to turn down the volume. Instead of the bells being a welcoming presence and symbol of God’s love and acceptance, you have made them into a symbol of how one person can antagonize a community by hiding behind religion. What a disgrace to OUR religion. Another example of rogue members of the church using God as their defense to do anything they wish. Instead of attracting more followers to the church, you are driving them all away. I guess you feel that you can do whatever you please because you are a priest. Don’t expect your community to just take that lying down. People are not stupid and they are not your doormats- they are not going to give you unearned respect while you dish out huge heapings of disrespect. GO NEIGHBORS! don’t cowtow to this hypocrite. keep up the fight.
I can’t believe the arrogance of this man of God! What happened to Love Thy Neighbor? Maybe John or some other neighbors should make some noise of their own, at a time when it would be inconvienient for the pastor, like when he is trying to sleep. I would watch for the lights to go out in the rectory and then turn on the ghetto blaster. See how he likes it. Good Luck in your fight.
by the way did I mention the bells are not a soft, beautiful, clanging, actual church bell but a LOUDSPEAKER recording blaring at you!
You can try clicking your rub red slippers three times but I doubt if even that will bring you back to the “good old days.” Saint Thomas also uses three huge load speakers mounted on the rectory roof. I guess the clergy can be just as inconsiderate, thoughtless and arrogant as the rest of us.
Ringing bells that are not even bells but a recording for no reason other than because you can–to me that is not only inconsiderate of you neighbors, your community, your fellow human beings.
Just because you can do something, doesn’t always mean you should.
As a religious person, you would think that the pastor of the church would want to be seen as understanding, able to compromise, listen if someone has a complaint and trly to resolve an on-going issue reflecting on how the church is treating people in the community it is in.
Oh, well, another instance of someone with a little bit of power having to show how powerful they are, and the everyday people having to try to find a way to go on knowing that all they can do is try to make these people realize that being considerate–and not rude–is the right thing to do.
I have a life, and had a very nice life as a Marine Park resident and St. Thomas parishioner for over 16 years. The volume of the bells are negatively impacting the quality of my life and that of my neighbors.
I was here first, 30 years.MOVE———- how dare you————
whah whah whah, take your sanity and go. Ring—-ring—–ring—–
John, you had indicated as a caller to a TV show discussing religious sounds and noise pollution and you said the chimes from St Thomas Church go on for 3 and half minutes ??? That is an untrue statement and makes you uncredible. Even at 12 noon when it chimes 12 times it is less 30 seconds. Please speak the truth.
“Anonymous”: Why should someone have to move if a situation like this occurs? I have noticed such an increased sense of insensitivity and rudeness between neighbors within the community. For instance, if I had a dollar for every time an inconsiderate person parked in my driveway, I would be very wealthy and living in the tropics somewhere. I have lived in the neighborhood my whole life and only within the past few years have I noticed such rudeness that really makes me say “I’d like to move.” But at the end of the day, I won’t move, at least not right now. John has every right to feel as he does and I completely support him. The Church is supposed to be a beacon of the community and is founded on charity, humility, and serving its parishioners. Doyle refusing to even meet with Mr. Russo and the Diocese ignoring him flat out is just a travesty.
- Lisa, MarineParker
Lisa, Thank you for starting this discussion on the web.
Based upon the responses you are getting, happily it seems clear that most people can empathize with the consequences of daily, hourly, loud “bells” which intrude into our homes. It is also equally clear that those who believe that people should move, (or use earplugs, as some woman told the Chanel 12 reporter) rather than the Church act reasonably, will never object to anything that this priest/Church, or perhaps any religious institution, does.
This all is particularly irksome since I have yet to hear any explanation, religious or otherwise, to justify hourlly broadcasts of recorded bells! We all have watches.
It appears the “stop the bells” brigade is flooding this site. I live 2 blocks from Holy Trinity on 37th st and the chimes from this church every hour are beautiful. They are peaceful and are not a disturbance at all. I don’t hear the St. Thomas bells but will make a visit to that church to see for myself. The majority of the people near Holy Trinity love these bells and this article and recent publicity on John Russo will bring out the pro bell people. I will get involved in any campaign to keep these bells ringing at Holy Trinity and we will get more than 58 signatures to stop it. Maybe a nice peacefull protest in front of John Russo’s house with about 500 people.
Also why no complaints about the Friday sundown siren that is played twice to alert Jewish people to sundown. This siren is located on Ave N and Ocean Ave but it is so loud you hear it in Marine Park. It just started in the past 2 years. It sounds like an air raid.
OMG, is that what that is? We hear that siren in the afternoon and have wondered what it is. If I hear it loud where I am, it has to be awful at N and Ocean. I think there is a big difference between the bells at Holy Trinity and St. James in Gerrittsen, and this loud recording at St. Thomas. If the Pastor at St. Thomas would only meet with the people complaining and try to reach a compromise that all could live with…. It does seem excessive.
To Tony —– Are you actually comparing the siren which is sounded two times (ten minutes apart?) to alert Orthodox Jews to the beginning of the Sabbath, which is only at sundown, ONCE A WEEK, to hourly ringing every single day, most of which is totally unrelated to any religious observance? And, although I dislike the siren even more than these “bells” (it really is quite unpleasant), I have no issue with a once a week annoyance. I do have a problem with an hourly annoyance which literally interferes with my life and enjoyment of my home. Increased distance from the bells seems to increase the pleasure they engender.
The Shabbos Siren plays whenever Shabbos or a Jewish Holiday begins at Sundown. I live 1 block away from where the siren sounds and it’s fracking LOUD.
But, I tolerate it because it doesn’t happen every day. I understand that it rings out once a week and on special occasions and I can accept that. It’s been ringing for more then 2 years by the way. I’ve been here for 6 years and its always played.
There is a major difference between a Bell that rings every day and a Siren that sounds once a week. If that Siren went off everyday I’d have filed a lawsuit a long time ago.
This demonic bell rings out every day and it has nothing to do with religion. It’s causing needless strife in the community. I’ve driven through Marine Park when that Bell goes off and It’s scared the frack out of me almost causing me to get into an accident.
DOWN WITH THE BELL. Nobody should have to move.
Thank you.
It amazes me that people have such time to get so involved in this issue. There are so many real quality of life issues- traffic, speeding dollar vans, porno shops on Flatbush Avenue, garbage, etc, that I find it impossible that people are so caught up in bells that ring for about 1 minute every hour for 10 hours. And speaking of quality of life- why don’t we address Mr. Russo and his blaring car alarm, and air horns while services are going on. His signs are disgusting and I’m thankful I don’t live anyway near him- because his signs are out 24 hours a day. This portrays the neighborhood in a very poor light.
Chris ,glad you don’t live near me.
Maybe you should show a little more concern for your neighbors. If you are going to pontificate about the bells which obviously some people take offense at, but most do not, you should be more concerned with the public nuisance that your signs create. You’re not raising the property values on your block with those amateurish signs. They look like ransom notes. Also, personal attacks against Father Doyle are unnecessary and only reveal you to be a small vindictive person. Make sure you own up to your air horn, radio, and car alarm antics during your next interview.
spot on chris !
Elyse / Arthur – I live 3 blocks from the bells and they don’t bother me at all. They are pleasant in my opinion. The siren doesnt bother me either but I believe an arguement can be made for these as well. I don’t consider either an annoyance.
Chris – I try to get involved in all issues that affect our neighborhood. All you points are valid issues. We should also address the graffitti in the area and what about these properties that start these major construction jobs only to realize they don’t have zoning or proper permits so they abadon these structures. Herrs and the house on Fillmore Ave and 35th st are example of these.
Tony you seem to be missing the point.
It doesn’t matter in the slightest that the Bell doesn’t bother you. If you’re able to live with it thats wonderful.
However, the bell is bothering SOME residents. Even if it was only a single resident (and its clearly not) the Church should still show some god damned respect at its neighborhoods and work out a compromise of some sort.
The Church has not done so, and local residents, yourself not included, are still having their lives impacted in a negative way. These people deserve to live their lives in their homes, without doing anything extra. That’s the right of every person, you can’t deny that.
When living together in a society we’re supposed to make compromises to get along together, especially when living in the close confines of a city. It’s just common sense and common decency. Do you get what i’m saying? Do you understand what the problem is here?
There are certainly other quality of life issues that need to be addressed but they deserve their own forum. It’s not fair to throw other issues in the face of this one. So long as a single resident has a problem the issue deserves equal time.
Arthur I get what you are saying. My issue and that of many people, is that there are many things that bother us or that impact our lives, and we cant go about changing all of these issues. If you live near a train station, the noise of the train may bother you. If you live near a school yard, the sound of children playing may annoy you as well. There are more people that live near the Church that are not bothered by the bells, than those that are. This guy in particular seems like a nut. If he wants to express is concern that is understood, but to sound his car alarm to disturb a religious ceremony or to blast an air horn to do the same, takes away his credibility. The stupid signs dont help either. The Pastor should meet with him and perhaps they can lower it a bit, but I dont believe that Mr.Russo cant conduct a conversation in his house or hear the TV when the bells ring. I went there and stood right next to the church across from Russo’s house and the bells were not that loud. If I went in my car and shut the windows they were even more muffled, so I would imagine that the sound from inside a house would be even less. Maybe the older you get the more things seem to annoy someone.
The noise of the Train is unavoidable. It’s simply a part of living in the city.
However, the problem with the Church is. Especially if the Church is rebroadcasting the Bell over speakers, at which point it’s breaking the law.
The exception in the noise code for religious institutions goes too far.
I can’t speak to any of this nonsense about car alarms or air horns. If he’s blowing an Air-horn then he’s disrupting everyone in the community the same as the Church and he could/should be fined.
As for the signs, he has every right to post them on his property. If his neighbors are that worried about the signs then mayhap they should find a way to mediate the situation with the Church.
So long as he follows the law *shrug*.
The problem here is that we are talking about a small minority of people who seem to object to the bells. Since we live in a democracy you have to go with the majority. Not everyone is going to be happy. You can’t please all of the people all of the time. Regarding the air horn and the car alarm, amazingly not one of his supporters seem to be bothered by that. Regarding the signs- again this shows disrespect to his fellow neighbors. He is making the block a laughing stock.
You’re right – only a small group of our neighbors are affected by the loud speakers. Those “bells” started “ringing” a few years ago and for what purpose? Do they really have to activate the recordings with such frequency? The answer is no. That small minority of people you mentioned pay the same bloated real estate tax bill as the rest of us so they are entitled to the same quality of life. Would you agree with this?
The car horns bother me every day in front of my house….honk…honk…honk…honk…honk….why don’t you people stop honking your damn car horns….its for safety purposes only….stop already with the car horns….stop it john with your car horn, car alarm…stop it all already….
This issue has certainly got a TON of press (first on MarineParker though!) and has sparked a lot of commentary throughout the community. It is CLEAR that there are many issues in the neighborhood that people would like to discuss/rant on/remedy.
I am thinking of holding “open forums” to debate issues that we all face – construction/traffic/annoying neighbors/parking issues/tons of crap left on our doors from advertisements, etc. Any thoughts/ideas on this? Would this be something you would be amenable to?
Is that not the very purpose of a Community Board?
Please respect your neighbors, Father Doyle! I came from Philadelphia to see where my grandparents were married and was shocked that the church was being so disrespectful to the community.
Greg do you actually think the bells are so annoying and loud. Have you actually heard them. You also fail to express your shock that the people who dont like the bells sound their car alarms and blast air horns when mass is in session. Is this not disrespectul to the church and the community ?
I bet your grandparents loved those bells.
Tony, you just don’t get it.
I get and get it and the majority of us get it. You just don’t it.
Mr. Russo has added a new sign that says ” If my dogs were barking all day the polcie would be here”. He is comparing barking dogs to church bells!
Barking dogs are covered under the nuisance noise laws in NYC and are enforceable by law… church bells/chimes are not as you know so your sign makes no sense.
You still don’t get it.
I get it. You are acting like an old, bitter person. We all get it except you. If getting it means agreeing to your point of you I hope I never get it.
Right, time for the old folks home john.
Another case of a church deciding to install a roof-top speaker system and blaring computer-generated noise prompted this web site.
http://www.stopthebells.info/
The main site will be going live… soon. Meanwhile, there is just a temporary one-page site at that address.
Ths is obvious an atheist website. Jus like the atheist were successful in stopping the nativity and all holiday displays at the court house in washington state. The bells are not blaring or obnoxious. Their decibel from the inside of the house is lower than average conversation. An official sound test will soon be posted on this site and the media will have access to this as well. This will expose the real agenda of the “stop the bells campaign”. Below is the banner of the atheist website for stop the bells which clearly shows the true agenda. When the main goal is to “silence those obnoxious bells, chimes, musics, chants ….. from religious facilities.. etc…. The indication that religion is intrusive is the manfiesto of the atheist and communist. “A Friend”, you are no friend of the majority of people that read this website. So comrade I can ensure you that the site you reference will have more comments against the support of this issue.
Quote
The all-new Stop The Bells web site – intended to be a national resource for everyone who is looking for information, advice, and ideas to help silence those obnoxious bells, chimes, music, chants, and other intrusive noises from religious facilities, city hall, schools, and more.
This will be a repository of information culled from various places, advice, commentary, a forum with a section for each of the 50 US states, suggestions for actions to take, sample letters and other documents, and much more.
This is not going to be about anti-religion or anti-freedom of speech.
What it IS about is anti-noise pollution, and restoring or maintaining peace and quiet in the community
Ring a ling….hear them ring…..its Christmas time in the city……
Honestly, our real estate agent took us to see a home recently and it was right next to the home with all the signs and at no point were we able to take that showing seriously. My son went to the school across the street and my husband and I used to joke about what it must be like to have to live somewhere where either the bells are actually that horrible or the neighbors are that irritable. And that was before there was a camcorder mounted on a stake in the lawn. lol We don’t live there and aren’t considering it so I have no idea which one would be the one to get to us but one of the two would be bound to. Maybe he’s a great neighbor and the bells really are that bad. Or maybe they’re no worse than what I hear a few times a day while I walk around the area and he’s overreacting…I don’t know which it is and I don’t care to find out. So in response for LQuinlan- As someone looking to buy a home it’s absolutely something that people take into consideration…it was a total deal breaker for us. Would I love to walk my small children across the street to school and shopping? Absolutely. But not at the expense of my sanity. We’ll walk a few blocks and pay a bit more….
H, you bring up a wonderful point. On the one hand, each owner has property rights as vested in their deed/proof of ownership. On the other hand, “public displays” – which can be religious, artistic, the paint color on one’s house, the condition of a house, lack of upkeep/ongoing construction, etc – can affect the property values of not only adjacent properties, but the surrounding block.
I see both sides to this argument. Great discussion, folks.
For all those that care, the bells were measured with a sound meter several times last week. The conditions had to be ideal which means no winds which affect the sound test. The sound test was taken from inside a car with the windo open directly in front of the church across from the complaintif’s house. Assuming the sound decibel inside his house with the windows closed or open would even be lower.
The bells and chime never passed 54 db level which according to various studies is lower than 60 db sound levels such as conversational speech, birds at 10 feet.
The bells / chimes are the same db as conversation in a home and are lower than the sound from an average television in a home.
Interesting findings, Tony. Good to know!
LOL I just found this website and was reading about the bells and I have to laugh. My son goes to the public school there and I always hear the bells while I’m bringing him or picking him up and I’m sorry, but I don’t think they’re loud at all. The ones at Trinity Lutheran church are much louder to me and I don’t see anybody near that church putting signs all over their house.
The signs look ridiculous and they aren’t doing any good now are they? I’ve been walking past the house with the signs for 3 years now and I just shake my head as I walk past. Give it up already, will you? Your signs are keeping people on the block from selling their houses. How inconsiderate is that? Just be glad you don’t live near the Shabbos sirens.
shabbos sirens only go off twice on fridays( 10 minutes apart during sundown)and other jewish holidays. not everyday. im not saying who is right or wrong, but i can see how it can be annoying.
Thats the problem, big change for the neighborhood! There shouldn’t be any sirens at all……….what is it an air raid????? Love the bells…………viva the bells…..long live the bells!!!!!!
The bells from St. Thomas are ridiculous. I have been in the “crazy guy with the signs” home and have known him for over 25 years. There was a time when he could sit in his home in peace and quiet. I found myself while in his home waiting for the damn bells every hour. It is unnecessary. We do not need to be called to worship. The bells do not need to go off every hour. I have lived in Italy, next to a church and the bells went off at 9am and 5:30pm so those who judge this man better go sit in his home and try to sleep past 7 on Sunday. Try to enjoy your dinner in the evening because the bells go on till 7pm. The police can’t do anything and the priest in question could care less. As far as all of you who are his neighbors instead of being good neighbors and sticking up for him you just criticize. There was a time when this man enjoyed his home. He made it nice and renovated it and it was peaceful. He cannot enjoy his home and that is shameful. It’s the same as if a noisy neighbor moved in with a dog that continuously barks. It is rude, it is disrespectful and it is just wrong.
Compromise was attempted but Father Dolan won’t have it. What kind of a priest doesn’t care for a neighbor? Callously saying,”get over it,” or “move” is also rude and stupid. Would you leave your home? I wouldn’t, I would fight for what is mine. Also, it is his right to put those signs up. Read your bill of rights. He can protest peacably.
Sally you must have dog ears. I conducted a noise test on those bells 10 feet from the church, which is closer that inside John’s house. The bells were measured with a sound meter several times last week. The conditions had to be ideal which means no winds which affect the sound test. The sound test was taken from inside a car with the window open directly in front of the church across from the complaintif’s house. Assuming the sound decibel inside his house with the windows closed or open would even be lower.
The bells and chime never passed 54 db level which according to various studies is lower than 60 db sound levels such as conversational speech, birds at 10 feet.
The bells / chimes are the same db as conversation in a home and are lower than the sound from an average television in a home. Perhaps John should use those stupid signs to insulate is house. A barking dog does not compare to church bells. One of the controversial measures of Bloomberg’s new plan is that dog owners will be fined as much as $175 if their dogs bark for more than five minutes at night and 10 minutes during the day. That bell chime goes for less than 20 seconds and again is the same db level as a freaking blue jay. Protest peacefully he has, why dont you mention this nice guy made his car alarm go off over and over during mass on Sunday and that be blows an airhorn to disrupt church services. All of these sounds are louder than the chimes. If these chimes wake him up than he has super human hearing. The church was here before he was. Most of the people in the neigborhood love these chimes.
i lived on hubbard place for many years. I always loved the sound of the Church Bells. They were a pleasent pause in the day reminding me of my neighborhood surrondings. Amazing Grace how sweet the sound.
Why don’t you two move away together and go enjoy some peace and quiet in the mountains! You make me laugh, get lost! And learn how to spell people’s names!!!!!!
Why is it that when I walk right by the church, the bells don’t strike me as loud at all and yet John and a couple of others think it’s so loud. Sorry, but if it bothers you that much, then yes, you should move.
My neighbor has an annoying kid. I can’t go in my backyard without this kid talking to me and hitting balls over the fence over and over. It’s gotten so that I can’t enjoy my backyard in the summer. But he has a right to his yard too and he’s only a kid, so if I get fed up enough, yes, I’ll move to a quieter block and a fully detached house. I’m certainly not going to tell his parents to make the kid shut up because he’s bothering me. Same thing with you, if it bothers you so much, move!
All the signs in the world aren’t going to make a bit of a difference, as you can see since you’ve been at it for years. The signs look very stupid and I’m glad I’m not your neighbor.
i think all of you need more help then john you are the same people that never doing anything for there community, you are the same people
that when you do not want someone in your community will go out and
bring down his name and family .
get a life your days are coming.
??? That doesn’t even make any sense. LOL
Nobody wants John out of the community. We’re just saying that if he’s so unhappy with the bells, since nothing is going to be done about them, then he should go where he IS happy.
You must be some real estate agent. You dont even know how to write in english. I your accusations are as ridiculous as your post. I am very involved in Marine Park and most of the people posting are concerned about our neighborhood. Your post is very criptic and I sense some anti Christian in your comments. (Our days are coming ??) Is your real mission to destroy and change Marine Park ?
Learn how to spell agent!
i know how to write i just got sick of the bull shit on the bells but not how they go off 7 days a week.
tony you save you are involved with your community well what meeting’s
you visit and what you do for your community of marine park.
i am christian and plan to give names out out of people in this community
that has attack residents in this community with much more thats what
i am talking about your day is coming resident’s of marine park.
well i have work in this community for over 40 years everyone has there
day’s so better reply’s are coming week’s.
real estate agenin in marine park – you dont know how to write – your post are a mess. First, I am using my real name, unlike you. Second I belong to the Marine Park Civic Association, attend many meetings, will be going to the meeting on Feb 22 at PS 222, will you ?? I doubt it. If you go, look for a fat guy that is 6′ 2″ with a black fedora, thats me. I also am involved with little league, football leagues and other youth programs in the community. I am on a block association, and support all local establishments in Marine park. In regard to the bells, 95% of the community likes the bells, so majority rules. This is not Venezuela, Cuba or the U.S.S.R (1975).
Anything else you want to know? By reading your nonsensical post, it sounds like your better days already came. Time to take a rest my friend.
Your posts are simply too difficult for my puny brain to process.
well thank you i will take time before i write again .
well long live the bell’s the people with sign’s will get there’s one day.
Why do you like apostrophes so much?
I just happened to take a short cut down Kimball Street when the sound of the church bells in the distance filled the air. For the next few minutes I felt a calm come over me. It was a good but temporary feeling. It also took my mind away from the peering eyes from behind the curtains from inside one of the houses I passed while walking. That and shout of “hey are you gay” did not annoy me.
Keep those bells ringing! Some of you assholes need to be reminded to repent once in awhile…
Hey anonymous! I too had that same experience of the peering eyeballs from behind the curtains. Kimball street is one FU*KED up block. Some of those S O B’s need to have their basements flooded with holy water.
wow kimball street has a lot of thing’s going on
but i have to make time to write it down so give me a few week’s
and i will get back to marineparker.net
Yes this site is way too much about bells. Perhaps a different topic
ie, is our local senator a “CLOSET CASE”…
Finally I have the correct medication. The knucklehead who runs the pharmacy on P, gave me pink pills instead of white. So much for colors.
Sounds like you need to use a different pharmacy.
Oh good, now that you’re on medication, you’ll stop posting nonsense?
That was good. Those pills made him delirious. Very scary and atrange emails. Maybe he was on acid. This. Way pharmacy on Q and 36 is THE BEST.
it’s time to put this topic to rest and move on, there are more important things to blog about, real estate agent is right, we all need to repent
Hey, Mario
Whoops, Father Doyle. Are you happy now?
Tony and Mario, why don’t you both move in across the street from St. Thomas yourselves. Tony, you are involved in Marine Park? Have you tried to help with the bells? How is your decibel study different from the one conducted by the news?
The fact of the matter is that the bells are unnecessary. Instead of this rude disrespectful banter, why not understand a neighbors stress and distress? Stress drives people to do questionable things. I don’t support retaliation, but I understand it. But no, it is the typical Brooklyn hubris to treat others with vitriol and not compassion. The bells were never necessary and just because people like them, is it worth a neighbor’s stress? And as I said before, the bells in churches in Italy do not go off every hour on the hour. It isn’t necessary.
$175.00 is not enough of a fine for barking dogs. Especially with neighbors who could care less about each other.
Marie, would you be turned out of your home? What would you do?
Anonymous is right. Nothing is going to change. There are no rights for people when it comes to the church. The police will not get involved. We can blog till we are blue in the face, but unfortunately there is no solution to this. Not a good one anyway and nobody really cares. They just like to write and argue and be mean. Nobody cares, they just attack other people’s opinions.
Sally – Are you drinking again ? What decibel test was taken by the news for the bells ? Please explain that and provide details. Mine was taken with the sudents from Polytechnic University who are studying to be engineers. Are you refering to some camera lady holding a decibel meter in the wind while talking ? That is not accurate. I do things for Marine Park that benefit the neighborhood and preserve the character of Marine Park. When 90% of the people have no issue with these bells, it is obvious that the minority has no basis for an arguement. You could leave in the bell tower like the hunchback and they still wouldnt be annoying. THEY ARE NOT THAT LOUD. If you want to meet by the church as a group, we can take the test again.