In January of 2025, multiple sources reported that a Ukrainian church had sued a town in Pennsylvania over a denied permit to build a bell tower. The church claims that the denial is an example of religious discrimination, but the town argues that its decision had nothing to do with religion. What does this case teach us about religious discrimination laws in the United States?
Town Expresses Concerns About Noise Pollution Associated with Planned Bell Tower
Collier Township officials say that they denied a church’s request to build a bell tower due to concerns about noise pollution. The officials say that the constant ringing of the church bells would inconvenience surrounding residents while subjecting them to economic hardships.
The Ukrainian Catholic Church first asked for approval to build the bell tower in 2023. While denying the first request, the town council eventually approved a scaled-back version of the bell tower with various restrictions. Under these restrictions, the church would only have the right to ring the bells during funerals and memorial services. Only deaths after June 2025 would qualify for this.
Church Argues That Noise Complaints Make No Sense
Faced with these issues, the church eventually decided to sue the town for religious discrimination. In their lawsuit, they argued that the “noise pollution” issues raised by the town make no sense. The plaintiffs pointed out that the church lies directly under the flightpath of the Pittsburgh International Airport, which is another source of noise pollution. This, they contend, is a more disruptive type of noise pollution than church bells.
A lawyer representing the church calls the bell restrictions “plucked out of thin air.” Their lawyer also argues that the town is unfairly targeting them while treating “similar institutions” differently. They point to the local carpenter’s union near the church, which occupies a 93,000-square-foot plot of land, arguing that this organization did not face the same level of scrutiny. Perhaps most importantly, the lawyers claim that the church bell restrictions represent a “substantial burden” that infringes on the church’s religious rights.
In response, an attorney representing the town even considered religion when making its decisions. To achieve success, the church would have to establish that the bells do not represent a major source of noise pollution. It’s not clear how they would do this. They might also point to the carpenter’s union and provide evidence that this facility also produces a significant amount of noise.
What Role Do Church Bells Play in the Catholic Faith?
Church bells play an important role in the Catholic faith. They represent signs from God that “sanctify” daily life and remind people of their religion. Bells may summon people to Mass or honor the dead. Many churches ring their bells three times a day. The first ringing of the bells symbolizes a faithful pause. The second is associated with the Angelus prayer, while the third honors the reincarnation of Christ. Church bells are far more common in Europe than in the United States.