Philadelphia City Council Says Church Bells Aren't "Noise"

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Manayunk Church is thanking the heavens -- and City Council -- for okaying a measure on Tuesday that will allow its historic bell to keep ringing morning through night despite the concerns of some neighbors.

The city's health department (which administers noise regulations) -- prompted by complaints by a few anonymous neighbors -- last month warned St. John the Baptist Church in Manayunk (above) not to ring its bell at 7:00 AM.  Church supporters were furious at the city, but now the matter seems settled.

A City Council committee has approved a measure that exempts all churches from the city's noise ordinance.  Councilman Jim Kenney was the sponsor:

"Simple things like this need to be done, because it means so much to so many people."

The pastor of St. John's, Father James Lyons, is grateful:

"Not just for me, but all the other churches in the city would benefit from this legislation."

A final vote by Council comes later this month and approval is expected.  In the meantime the bell, which dates from 1895, is still ringing.

Reported by KYW City Hall Bureau Chief Mike Dunn.

File photo