Noisy neighbor or sacrificial lamb?

REVLOC - It seems church services at Believers Fellowship Church have become part of a rock 'n' soul showdown between a lively congregation and a heavy metal-loving neighbor.

Since Joe Vermeulin moved into the former Holy Redeemer Church parsonage next door, church members say their services have been interrupted by outdoor speakers blaring Black Sabbath, Marilyn Manson and AC/DC's ditty "Hell's Bells," creating friction between the sides.

But Vermeulin, whose home is about 15 feet from the church, and some neighbors believe the church's musical worship and electric praise band are too loud.

While Vermeulin says he isn't trying to incite the church with his radio, he and neighbors are collecting signatures to urge the church to tone it down.

He has got 21 signatures, he said - and a lot of support from his closest neighbors.

"I'm not against their religion," said neighbor Alysia Wirfel, who was among those who signed the petition. "My problem is with the noise. It's unfair to the rest of us.''

Church members flooded Cambria Township supervisors' meeting Monday, worried about the petition, which wasn't presented.

"We're a very contemporary church, and there can be a lot of singing in our worship and celebration," Pastor Brian Tunstall said. "We're not trying to be troublemakers ... and we've tried to love our neighbor.''

Believers Fellowship, run by Tunstall and his wife, Michele, moved into Revloc six years ago, taking over a shuttered Catholic church.

Tunstall says Vermeulin moved in a short while later, and that's when trouble started.

"It's harassment," said church member Dennis Stock, who said he's tried to talk to Vermeulin but gotten nowhere.

Vermeulin says he is the one being harassed - and that he cannot take it anymore.

The police have been called to the scene at least twice. The last time, an officer talked with both parties during a service. After talking to Vermeulin, the porch speakers were turned down, avoiding any citations, township Officer Jim Melnyk said.

Tunstall said the church has regular services Sunday and Wednesday nights, and special ones monthly and on other rare occasions.

Vermeulin says evening events have lasted until midnight - and a few other neighbors said they've heard music after 11 p.m.

But Tunstall said Sunday services run no later than 1:30 p.m., and Bill Hugill, a Wednesday night worship service leader, said his don't go beyond 9:30 p.m.

He said the praise band and musical performances usually unplug by 8 p.m.

"We've taken steps to try to neutralize the sound," Hugill said, adding that windows are closed unless it is too hot and that drums have been muted by a sound "shield."

Solicitor Dennis Govachini said the township doesn't have a specific noise ordinance, but zoning limits noise to the level of a lawnmower. He said the best bet is for the neighbors to find a solution but said harassment charges could be filed if someone or a business is deliberately being a nuisance.

The group wants the church to limit its music services from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Sundays.

''You can only be pushed so far,'' Vermeulin said, denying he's ever played heavy metal outside. He turned up AC/DC's ''You Shook Me All Night Long'' once, he says, ''because they've been doing that to me for years.''

It doesn't bother neighbor Hobart Rose. He hears songs of praise from the corner church sometimes, and it's music to his ears.

"The Bible tells you to make a glorious noise onto the Lord, and they're worshipping," said Rose, a Baptist, standing on his lawn about 40 yards from the church. "But I do hope they can resolve this in an amicable way, not with harassment from either side.''

Mirror Staff Writer David Hurst is at 946-7457.