House close to Church - IS this church loud? (Newington: sales, leasing)

slusher · 04-09-2012, 11:27 AM

I have a relative who is going to be buying a house in newington, ct. They are usually pretty busy and wanted me to do some research for them about the location, etc. They like the house and I haven't found too much wrong with it.

I'm not from the area but my only concern is that the house is very close to a church. Now its quite a big church and I'm not sure how loud it gets. THe person said that they few times they went to see the house that it was pretty quiet but based on some reading I became more concerned.

I tried to call the church to see if they operated any chimes or see how noisy it got, but nobody picked up the phone call.

Here is the church,

Emmanuel Baptist Church - Welcome! on New Britian Avenue in Newington, CT

Does anyone know if this church has chimes, is loud, gets really busy?

If everything else is good about the house/area should they still get the house? Is buying close to a church a bad idea/deal breaker?

JayCT · 04-09-2012, 11:54 AM

I do not know much about this church but just looking at their website I see that they have services all day Sunday and Wednesday evenings. That means there will be a lot of traffic coming and going all day Sunday ane at least on Wednesday evenings. I am sure the place was busy yesterday with it being Easter Sunday. Depending on how close this house is, it could be annoying. Only your relative can decide if it is a problem or not. Jay

slusher · 04-09-2012, 12:05 PM

True. Thank you. I have let them know about this and i'm hoping they go by this upcoming wednesday to see how it loud/busy it gets during those hours. So far they are still leaning heavily towards purchasing it.

I'm wondering about chimes/bells?
Any issues with resale value?

Thanks.

Masterj · 04-09-2012, 12:08 PM

Maybe check Trulia or zillow and see if it is lists prior sales info for the home.

Uconn97 · 04-09-2012, 01:27 PM

Your best bet would be to go by during services and see if you can hear anything. Other things to consider...do they lease or rent their facility for anything else? How often are there services?

I can tell you from personal experience I would NEVER consider a house near any house of worship again. We currently border one (we have some woods behind our house, then there is the church after that) and we were fine with them as neighbors for years until maybe 3 or 4 years ago when the group that owns it decided to start leasing it to some new group and I can tell you its ridiculous how loud they can be.

It was worst at the beginning, but we took care of that with calls to the police and finally a letter from us and neighbors asking for the group that owns it to intervene, but it was a painful process. It wasn't even the loudness, but the odd hours that the new group would have services...10pm at night?? Then the busloads of people started to come in??? We are in a completely residential area so it was over the top. There was no consitency either. You would think you would be fine on a monday night, then cars would start pulling in and the blaring of music would pierce the night air. Even with our windows closed we would still hear it. Thankfully the last year or so has been ok, but I would never do it again and take for granted that things can't change. Not worth the hassle, frustration or the sleepless nights.

JViello · 04-10-2012, 07:50 AM

First of all, they do not have church "all day" on Sunday. They have two services, and a morning Sunday school. Most people who go to the Sunday school classes stay for the worship service. So you'll have people coming and leaving pretty much twice on Sunday. Big deal.

Wed evening services same thing.

I have never known a fundamental Baptist church to ring a bell, or be pew jumping hollerin' and a shoutin'.

According to their site, they have an orchestra and a choir. Both will be active for probably 30 minutes each service, IF you can even hear them outside the building.