But the ordinance does not mention churches, other than to protect houses of worship from sound that might disrupt services.
The warning letter sent to St. John's is not the first sent to a religious institution, said Thomas Huynh, director of the city's Air Management Services, responsible for enforcing noise and air pollution laws.
"We have sent out many over the years to many different faiths," Huynh said. "Most are willing to make accommodations in response to neighbors' complaints."
Lyons said he did not think turning the volume down on the bell was an option.
"A bell's a bell," he said. "It either rings or it doesn't."
However, Jim Verdin of the Verdin Bell Co., which repaired St. John's clock, said the bell "could be carved out" to reduce the volume. "It's no big deal."
Huynh said his agency has levied fines and filed charges when churches have refused to cooperate, but he could not recall a specific case.
The city will begin a formal investigation if it receives another complaint about the St. John's bell.
Despite the risk of legal consequences, neighbors and parishioners of St. John's said the bell should continue to ring.
"No one's ever complained before," said Speedy Morris, head basketball coach at St. Joseph's Preparatory School and a lifelong parishioner at St. John's. "With people leaving the bars and urinating on the streets, anyone complaining about church bells is ludicrous."
And Father Lyons?
"Unless the city or the archdiocese tells us we can't, they are going to keep ringing."
Contact staff writer Sam Wood
at 215-854-2796 or samwood@phillynews.com.
Inquirer staff writer Michael Brocker contributed to this article.
