Cumbernauld church asked to lower music at monthly midnight services
A new African Pentecostal church in Cumbernauld has been asked to reduce amplified music at its monthly midnight services after residents said the choir’s songs woke them. The dispute matters because it pits neighbours’ concerns about noise and parking against the congregation’s right to use the church at any hour.
The Celestial Church of Christ took over the former Kildrum Parish Church, which closed in 2023, and holds services until 2am once a month. North Lanarkshire councillor Adam Smith said the church had been asked to make the music quieter and more acoustic; the church has promised to install soundproofing and glazing, with noise levels to be monitored. Residents also raised concerns about obstructive parking during the church’s August opening ceremony, while the council said blocked access is a matter for police.
In short
- Residents say midnight church music is disturbing their sleep.
- The church has promised soundproofing and glazing.
- Parking concerns also surfaced at its August opening ceremony.
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The case for
The congregation should be able to worship in its church, including at the hours that hold religious meaning for it, and amplified music is part of its communal practice. The church has offered practical steps such as soundproofing and quieter, more acoustic music, suggesting the dispute can be addressed without unduly restricting religious expression.
The case against
Residents are entitled to reasonable peace in their homes, and amplified singing late at night can disrupt sleep even when services are infrequent. Asking the church to lower the volume while monitoring noise is a proportionate way to protect neighbours, and parking that blocks access also needs to be managed.
Explained simply
The Celestial Church of Christ is a Pentecostal Christian denomination with roots in West Africa. Its Cumbernauld congregation now uses the former Kildrum Parish Church, which closed in 2023, and holds a monthly service that continues into the early hours.
The issue involves how the church can hold services while limiting disturbance to nearby residents. Amplified music and parking have prompted complaints, and the council has asked for quieter music; the church says it plans to improve soundproofing and glazing. Noise levels are to be monitored, while concerns about blocked access are for police to deal with.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Unholy row as church is ordered to keep the noise down after choir were singing… at 2am”.