Smithtown Residents Express Concern Over Parking Near New Church

SMITHTOWN, NY - Smithtown residents have been expressing concern that a new megachurch that recently opened in the area has been creating a parking problem.

The church, located on 70 New York Avenue was purchased by Christian Cultural Center, which owns another church in Brooklyn, for $2 million on Sept. 8.

The 28,902-square foot property includes three buildings with a cafeteria auditorium stage, offices, meeting room, a dormitory area and a large parking lot, according to the church's listing on Realtor.com.

The 1.9 acre lot also includes basement garages, according to the listing.

The lot has enough spots for 90 cars and there are also more than 20 parking spots available at the school district lot at 26 New York Avenue, which the church has permission to use, according to a report in Newsday.

However, despite all the available parking, some say it is still not enough space during a busy Sunday morning when all the parishioners -- some of which come from other areas such as Coram, Central Islip, Brentwood and Farmingdale -- attend service, Newsday reports.

Rich Cardone, a local contractor, told Newsday that during these busy Sundays, parishioners take up parking in the church lot as well as the street by the school which is used for youth soccer and has caused "arguments between soccer parents and worshippers over parking spaces."

Church pastor Jamaal Bernard says the church is looking to find more parking at the local train station or other town lots, Newsday reports.

Read the full report here.

What do you think? Is the church causing a parking problem in Smithtown?

Photo: 70 New York Avenue, Google Maps