Jackson Jambalaya

 A Rankin County couple asked a Chancellor to shut down a church's ringing of its bells after declaring it a nuisance. 

Jeff Maynard and Sylvia Knight petitioned the Rankin County Chancery Court to issue an injunction against County Line Baptist Church of Rankin County on December 23, 2025.  

The plaintiffs and the church reside on County Line Road. Knight and Maynard charge the church rings the bells too often and too loudly.  The complaint claims: 

10. The acts subject to this Complaint, hereinafter referred to as the "interfering acts," involve the Defendants' usage of the property known as County Line Road Baptist Church located at or near 1132 County Line Road, Mendenhall, MS 39114, described as follows:

a. Using electronic speakers and sound systems to play electronic bell sounds every hour from 8:00am to 8:00pm seven days a week.

b. Using electronic speakers and sound systems to play music at 12:00pm seven days a week and during meetings of the congregation.

11. These interfering acts disturb the Plaintiffs' enjoyment of the property at 1159 County Line Road, Mendenhall, Mississippi 39114.

The complaint alleges the volume of the bells are 16 to 32 times the normal background sound outdoors and 4 to 8 times the background sound indoors.  The ringing is "continuous" and "ongoing" since September 2024 despite the plaintiffs' objections.  

The noise allegedly prevents Maynard and Knight from enjoying their property while causing them irreparable harm. The couple asked for an injunction and damages against the church. 

Rankin County Chancellor John McLaurin will hold a hearing on August 24 at 9.  Attorney Matt Balderidge represents the plaintiffs while Mark Baker, Esq. represents the defendants.  

Posted below are the petition and answer.