Halesowen church's 5am Sunday service sparks fears of early hours noise and parking bedlam

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Narrow Lane, is holding a service on Sunday, October 5, at 5am. They had previously advertised the service as being at 3am.

Hundreds of  worshippers normally attend their service but residents claim there are only 20 spaces which forces vehicles to park outside residents homes.

Halesowen North Councillor Stuart Henley is trying to stop the service going ahead following complaints from local residents who fear hundreds of worshippers will descend on the church.

He said: "It's been brought to my attention about the church on Narrow Lane looking to hold a service early hours Sunday. 

"I've passed this on to the council Chief Executive and leader as the church is situated in a residential area, and car doors opening and shutting, music and any other noise should not be accepted this early.

"Hopefully the council will act on the concerns of locals and stop this early hours service. If anyone does witness any noise early hours then please call the police and report the disturbance.

"In terms of any breach of any licencing conditions there aren’t any as it is a Place of Worship. Parking wardens will be there first thing when they start shift."

Local resident Jez Burford said: "No disrespect to any religion, everybody is entitled to worship, but this is a perfect time to get the noise monitors out, and to be honest get the police out doing speed checks at the same time.

"It would be like shooting fish in a barrel."

The church, which often broadcasts services on loud speakers, has been reported to Dudley Council for breaching noise regulations.  

Helen Vance, another local resident, added: "I've never known a Christian or Catholic church would do this sacrament as early as this would happen. Sacraments don't happen this sort of time of year to my knowledge."

However, one resident who did not want to be named, said: "The way some residents are talking is as if the church is going to hold an all night rave until 3am. The previous church was empty but this seems to be a thriving, I bet if the church was Anglican or Catholic there would not be complaints.

A church poster advertising the event said: "The service is Sunday 3am. On this day, the Fathers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are celebrating the Father's Day in the presence of the Fathers of the Church. 

"They are invited to participate in the daily blessing of the Blessed Sacrament."

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church took over the Narrow Lane church after Hurst Green Methodist Church sold the building due to its congregation dwindling to a handful of people in 2022. The new church packs out the building which has led to complaints about parking issues and noise from residents.

A spokesman for the church said: "The poster advertising the service at 3am was a mistake."

The EOT church is closely linked to Church of the Latter Day Saints is also known as The Mormon Church, and has millions of members across the world. Both the Mormons and EOT often hold services which are broadcast on the internet. Churches show the service when they are broadcast which could be anytime of the day.

On October 4 and 5 the Mormons are holding its annual global conference in Salt Lake City which will be broadcast and translated into 98 languages.