When Prestonwood Baptist Church opened its first satellite campus six years ago, it was little more than a group of people meeting weekly at Prosper High School.

The "sanctuary" was put up and taken down each week, a process that could last several hours. After two years, a permanent facility was built in southern Prosper, giving the North Campus congregation a place to call their own. Now, after four years, that home is getting much larger.

Sunday morning the congregation will dedicate a new 75,000-square-foot expansion, doubling the church's size and adding 30 classrooms, 21 offices, a new gym and preschool worship area. The yearlong construction project should allow for a better worship experience, said campus pastor Marc Rylander.

The addition will also allow the church to rid itself of the temporary buildings that have been used to house adult Sunday school classes since the 2,000-member congregation outgrew the original building in 2010.

With a total membership of more than 33,000, a large number of members live along the State Highway 380 corridor. As a result, opening a satellite campus closer to these members made sense, Rylander said.

"It has become more and more evident that this campus is already fulfilling the purpose that we set out," Rylander said. "We are seeing high percentages of people that attend our services that live in this 380 corridor of northern McKinney, northern Frisco, Prosper and Little Elm. ... We wanted to build a place that would reach people who would not otherwise be able to come and experience our church, and that has been accomplished."

One of the campus' original attendees was Ben Hangartner, a Celina resident who originally attended services at the main Plano campus after joining the church in 2006. Much of the growth Prestonwood has experienced in the past six years can be attributed to efforts to reach out into outlying communities through the North Campus, Hangartner said.

"It was huge for everyone in the church, but it was biggest for those who hadn't come to our church yet," he said. "A lot of people didn't want to attend a church in a high school, for whatever reason. ... When we finished at the high school we were averaging about 500 adults per Sunday. When we opened our own building we doubled in size overnight."

Sunday services at the North Campus feature everything you would expect at a Baptist church: a choir, scripture readings and a sermon. The only difference is that about 70 percent of the time the sermon is delivered by Pastor Jack Graham at the Plano campus, which is then simulcast to the Dallas and Prosper campuses.

While a church as large as Prestonwood may seem daunting to some people, Frisco resident Sonnya Airhart said there is still a sense of community among the members.

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Plano church expands satellite campus

Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of stories exploring how a wave of luxury housing is affecting the community.

In the winter of 2003, Amy Perez Ortiz brought her daughter to the Andrew Riverside Presbyterian Church. She had to bundle her 1-year-old daughter in a snowsuit because the sanctuary was freezing since the northern wall had collapsed.

We had to say goodbye to the building, she said. We sat and looked at the stained glass windows for a long time.

By Christmas, the church was demolished, and Perez Ortizs daughter had to be baptized at the University Avenue YMCA where the congregation has been holding its services ever since.

Almost nine years later, Andrew Riverside is getting a new home at its old address, on the ground floor of a student housing complex coming to the corner of Fourth Street Southeast and Eighth Avenue Southeast in Marcy-Holmes.

College Property Management broke ground on the Elysian on Saturday. Construction starts Tuesday, and the complex is set to open next fall, according to CPM.

The five-story, 56-unit building will house 147 bedrooms, according to city documents.

The church has owned the vacant lot since the original building was razed in 2003.

Henri Mitambo joined the church as a University of Minnesota student just before the building was demolished. Without a permanent home, about a quarter of the congregation left Andrew Riverside, but Mitambo stayed and now serves as chair of the churchs worship committee.

It was difficult, he said. But we realized that the church is about the people.

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Church makes a comeback in new apartment complex

MONROE, Ohio - The last Sunday in September was a special day at the Solid Rock Church in Monroe as it dedicated its new Jesus statue that faces Interstate 75.

The original "King of Kings" 62-foot sculpture burned down in June of 2010, after it was struck by lightning during a thunderstorm. It was made of foam and fiberglass, which church officials admit contributed to the fire.

The 1600 member church held a special dedication service for 7:00 p.m. Sunday to celebrate the construction of the new "Lux Mundi" statue, which is named for "The Light of the World". The service is also honoring Pastor Lawrence Bishop who died last year after spearheading construction of the original Jesus statue for the church.

Solid Rock church is planning to hold a fireworks display following the dedication service.

Church leaders are relieved the new statue is finished and ready for its dedication.

"It's a big, big event for us. As you said, it's been over 2 years, it's been a long process. But, we're very pleased with the final product. Peoples' reaction has been very positive for us. So it's a great day," said church administrator Ron Carter.

Some church members remember the statue fire brought their congregation publicity that was both good and bad.

"When it got burnt down, people looked at it in different ways. Some people left the church, they thought it was a bad sign. That this was a bad place to be. Other people saw it as a good sign. It's the most that Jesus has been in the news for a while, so. It being rebuilt just puts it on people's minds and in people's hearts," said Nick Isbel.

The new Jesus statue is designed by Japanese American sculptor Tom Tsuchiya. It has its arms reaching forward rather than up to the sky, in a design some referred to as "Touchdown Jesus".

"Ultimately, I hope Lux Mundi will be a constant reminder for all of us to get along with each other," Tsuchiya said.

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New 'Jesus' dedicated by church

FAIRFIELD -- Black Rock Congregational Church is getting ready to move from its sanctuary into temporary quarters to make way for its new home.

A groundbreaking ceremony -- the culmination of several revised plans over the years, which initially sparked fierce neighborhood opposition -- will take place Oct. 8 at the church. The final services in the old house of worship at 3685 Black Rock Turnpike will be on Oct. 14.

While construction on the new sanctuary takes place -- a project expected to take 15 months -- Sunday services will be held at Notre Dame High School on Jefferson Street, while weekday activities will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 2475 Easton Turnpike. Church offices will move to 626 Surf Ave. in Stratford.

"Everyone here is very excited, as evidenced by an overwhelming number of volunteers -- 450 to help us set up/tear down at Notre Dame High School every Sunday," said Ken Brix, executive director. They needed only 160 volunteers.

The new church will feature a larger worship center, a dedicated wing for children's education, an expanded welcome center, two rooms dedicated for junior high and high school students, a cafe, a larger kitchen and a dedicated prayer room.

Brix said the new complex will allow the church's pastors and staff to serve more people. "We see it as our mission to reach as many people as we possibly can for Christ, so the primary motivation is to have more space for more people to hear the gospel," he said.

The congregation membership totals about 2,000 people, and the existing sanctuary seats 500. The new worship center will seat 950.

The new building will be built in two phases. The first involves construction of a 53,000-square-foot first floor, while the second phase will be construction of a 17,000-square-foot second floor. The existing building is a one-story, 33,000-square-foot structure.

Northbound and southbound turning lanes will be added to Black Rock Turnpike as part of the project in order to improve traffic flow, and the church's two driveways will be combined into one.

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Church prepares for new home

Iwi found at Kawaiahao Church, construction halted

When the Kawaiaha'o Church started work on its multipurpose center in 2009, crews discovered several sets of iwi, and more turned up as construction continued.

"At this point we know that 600 burials have been disinterred," said David "Kauila" Kopper from the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation. That is why Dana Naone Hall, who has ancestors buried at the Kawaiaha'o cemetery filed a lawsuit, saying the church needed to complete an archeological survey before continuing construction.

"What bothers me is what would bother a lot of people if their family burials were being disinterred without their consent," said Hall.

Hall, represented by the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, lost the initial lawsuit but appealed. On Friday, the Intermediate Court of Appeals issued an order barring the disinterment of anymore remains.

"The wheels of justice turn slowly, but they are finally turning in the right direction," said Hall. "I am very grateful to the ICA for its injunction. I think it has been long overdue."

The court used a recent Hawaii Supreme Court decision as the basis for issuing its injunction. Last month, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled the City of Honolulu had to do a full archeological survey before continuing its rail project.

"Both involve the State Historic Preservation Division to follow the historic preservation due process." said David Frankel, who represents Hall. A spokesperson from the church issued a statement saying, "Kawaiaha'o Church will continue to follow the direction of the courts and the agencies exercising oversight on the project. We are reviewing the ruling and considering our options."

The injunction is in effect until the appeals court makes its decision. Hall says that decision should come soon.

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Kawaiaha'o Church ordered to stop construction

HONOLULU

The Intermediate Court of Appeals panel unanimously issued an order Friday morning barring Kawaiaha'o Church from the disinterment of iwi from Kawaiaha'o Church grounds that are related to the church's multipurpose center project and from all construction activities related to its project that could result in the disinterment of iwi, according to the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation.

The church started construction on a multipurpose center on church grounds in January 2009.

The church immediately encountered burials. By the summer of 2009, the church had discovered sixty-nine burials.

Dana Naone Hall sued to stop Kawaiaha'o Church from digging up more burials in August 2009.

Hall's family members were buried on church grounds. During the course of her lawsuit, hundreds more burials have been unearthed.

The Intermediate Court of Appeals determined that there is a substantial likelihood that we will conclude that the State Historic Preservation Division should have required Kawaiaha'o Church to complete an archaeological inventory survey before state approval of the project.

The court also said that the State Historic Preservation Division violated its own rules in failing to require an AIS before permitting the project to go forward.

"This case spans the end of the Lingle Administration and the first years of the Abercrombie Administration, during which time the SHPD has routinely failed to follow its own rules to the detriment of historic properties and burial sites. I am very grateful to the Intermediate Court of Appeals for reaffirming that there is a vital public interest in protecting human skeletal remains and burial sites 'regardless of race, religion, or cultural origin,'" said Hall. "Although approximately 700 individuals have been disturbed at Kawaiaha'o, there are many hundreds more who can continue to rest in peace."

Kawaiaha'o Church Senior Pastor Kahu Curt Kekuna said the church will continue to follow the direction of the courts and the agencies exercising oversight on the project. The church is reviewing the ruling and considering our options.

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Court bars Kawaiaha'o from iwi disinterment

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) -

A state appellate court today ordered Kawaiahao Church to halt all construction on its $17.5 million center after hundreds of burials were uncovered at the site.

The Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals issued a preliminary injunction after the state Supreme Court in August put a temporary stop to the city's $5.3 billion rail transit project.

"The wheels of justice are starting to turn slowly but now it's turning in the right direction," said Dana Naone Hall, a Maui cultural practitioner who sued to stop construction at the church.

"Now, we have a chance to prevent ... the excavation of many hundreds more."

Hawaii News Now first reported last month that the church had unearthed as many as 579 remains at the site of Kawaiahao Church's multipurpose center.

The burial discovery -- which comes after the church unearthed more than 69 remains in 2009 -- is one of the largest ever, experts have said.

Friday's decision was in direct response to the state Supreme Court ruling in August to halt the city's rail transit project. The High Court said then that the city did not conduct a full archeological inventory on the entire 20-mile rail system before it started construction.

In her case, Hall alleged that Kawaiahao Church worked with the state to circumvent the need to conduct a similar archeological inventory survey.

A Kawaiahao Church said it is reviewing the decision and is reviewing its options.

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Court orders halt to Kawaiahao Church construction

Argument at convenience store leads to shooting Argument at convenience store leads to shooting

Updated: Wednesday, September 26 2012 11:12 PM EDT2012-09-27 03:12:53 GMT

Updated: Wednesday, September 26 2012 11:07 PM EDT2012-09-27 03:07:05 GMT

A Glen Allen man who survived being crushed by his car is now back home and back to work. He says he owes it all to his daughter.More >>

Updated: Wednesday, September 26 2012 11:01 PM EDT2012-09-27 03:01:19 GMT

Updated: Wednesday, September 26 2012 11:00 PM EDT2012-09-27 03:00:28 GMT

Updated: Wednesday, September 26 2012 10:44 PM EDT2012-09-27 02:44:58 GMT

Chesterfield tactical rescue crews rescued a man trapped in a trench collapse at a church construction site.

A construction crew was working to find a water line for an expansion project at the First Baptist Church Centralia on Kingsdale Road around 12:45 p.m. When the worker turned to exit the 3' by 8' trench, the walls collapsed around him, according to Chesterfield Fire. A co-worker in a back hoe was able to clear some of the dirt, allowing the man to breathe.

Chesterfield Fire crews were able to free the man around 2:45 p.m. He wasconscious and breathing and transported from the scene by ambulance.

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Worker rescued from trench collapse at Chesterfield church

Canyon Lake United Methodist Church staff members are breathing a collective sigh of relief now that the construction on Canyon Lake Drive is completed capping a challenging year and a half of detours, construction equipment and noise.

It disrupted the pattern of cars going through, said senior pastor Eric Grinager. It affected the community and business, and it affected church participation. I think some of them were hastled by the construction and didnt want to deal with it.

In an effort to draw people back, encourage newcomers and get the fall started off on the right foot, the church has put up signs and billboards, letting people know the road is open, and so are we, Grinager said.

We want to be open to people looking for a church home, he said.

Along with many churches around the Black Hills, UMC will kick off its fall semester of classes and activities this month.

A fall kick-off event was held earlier this month that included a bouncy house, games, food and people dressed up as Bible characters. Students were introduced to Sunday school teachers and visited classrooms, and the church offered information on upcoming Christian education classes and activities.

The fall is an important time for churches, Grinager said. In his sermons, he said he talks about how many different calendars are used to start activities.

This really is the start of the Christian year for us in many ways, he said. People start planning their whole year based on the school calendar, and oftentimes, the church follows that as well.

The intent, he said, is to be there for families.

People make commitments now as to what they are doing with their kids and families, he said. We want to encourage them to include this as part of their commitment.

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FAITH IN ACTION: Road work gives church a new start

LAS VEGAS --A church under construction was hit by copper thieves this week, causing thousands of dollars in damage.

St. George Romanian Orthodox Church at Charleston and Jones Boulevards was being built using mostly funds from the congregation. The thieves destroyed a $7,000 air conditioning unit on the roof for copper that was worth about $30. They also damaged wiring at the church to get at the copper. The church now has no electricity.

There are six more air conditioning units on the roof that church leaders are worried might also be damaged. The church said it does not have any money for surveillance cameras and other security measures.

The small congregation of 75 members held monthly luncheons and collected donations so they could build their church.

"How can I not be upset when they come over here and rip these things off?" said Panta Stanciu, church member and builder. "This unit cost $4,000 and they come here and rip it off for $20."

Lia Roberts, another member of the church who heads up the parish council, said the thefts began about six months ago. She said the thieves have tested the congregation's patience, but their faith remains strong.

"We wonder what kind of people they are who come and do something like this," Roberts said. "Obviously not only lawless, but godless as well."

Panta and the rest of the congregation will press on with their faith and dreams to finish the church.

The church has filed a police report, but there are no suspects according to investigators. The church has also installed security systems as the building is about 80 percent done.

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Vandals Strip Church of Copper