Town of Cambridge council says lights off for illuminated cross above Holy Spirit Church in City Beach
The lights on the illuminated cross above the City Beach church are off, with residents claiming it is making it difficult for them to sleep at night.
The Cambridge Township council rejected a request from the Church of the Holy Spirit to continue lighting the 18-foot cross that hangs above its building on Keaney Place.
The municipality received six complaints from nearby residents about the night glow of the holy light; One neighbor claimed the brightness bothered them even with blackout curtains installed.
Speaking at the council meeting on June 30, Cr Xavier Carr – who previously expressed an interest in neutrality as he had attended neighboring Holy Spirit Primary School and occasional Mass at the church – said he had spoken to other nearby residents who supported the LED-lit structure.
“It seems to have divided the community somewhat, which is unfortunate, because many people I spoke to there see the cross as a symbol of joy, consolation and reassurance, and a visual symbol of Jesus’ love and salvation for us all,” Cr Carr said.
“That’s why they want the cross to continue to be illuminated.”
Cr Carr voted against town officers’ recommendation to reject the application, instead seeking conditions that would reduce the intensity of light and opening hours.
But mayor Gary Mack said the council “cannot second guess” what the church might want and argued it was “entirely appropriate” to refuse.
“I would encourage the applicant to come back and have a conversation with the town’s officers to really understand what they need to do to get through this, if that’s what they really want,” he said.
According to the church, the cross was installed in the 1990s and lighting was added in May last year.
Located approximately 20 meters above the ground, the cross produced a 3000K warm white glow when operating at 100 percent intensity between 6pm and 7am.
The district claimed it was unaware that zoning approval was required to light the cross and said a dimmable driver could be installed to reduce the intensity to 1 percent.
But a town report said no amended proposals or details were offered to show what it would include and whether it would address concerns.
He supported the existing diagonal structure without lighting, arguing that the light was not compatible with the surrounding low-density residential area.
“The lighting is clearly visible from nearby residences and public spaces at night and is considered to result in an unreasonable amenity impact,” the report said.
