The large white cross in the field next to Jackson Road marks the site where the Rancho Murieta Community Church will build its church. The 20-acre site on Stonehouse Road was donated by the Frank family two years ago and the plans have now started their way through the county approval process. 

"We're jumping through a lot of hoops and jumping over hurdles right now so it's a little bit frustrating because it takes so long. Hopefully by spring we'll be kind of out of the woods ... and getting ready to get a building permit," said Phil Clevenger, the chairman of the building committee.

He said construction could begin late next year or in early 2009, depending on how long the approval process takes.

This detail from the church's site plan shows a cluster of buildings in the center of the property.

A look at the church's south side.

The application the church submitted to the county in September describes two phases of construction. In the first phase, there are two buildings -- an 11,000-square-foot youth ministry and a 4,400-square-foot administration building -- and 217 parking spaces planned.

The second phase will add a 500-seat worship hall and a 1,800-square-foot chapel.

Each of the four buildings will be oriented around a central courtyard, and together they will form a cross.

The church would be accessed from Stonehouse Road on the east and Haycock Street on the west, according to the application to the county. In addition to a use permit, the church is requesting an exception from the county for a church tower over 40 feet in height.

The church is presently located at 7220 Murieta Drive, next to the fire station. 

The church site fronts on Jackson Road.  See a larger version of this drawing here, at the church's web site.

The application lists the architect as Comstock Johnson Architects Inc. and Baker-Williams Engineering Group as the engineer.

A map of the project on the church's web site shows an amphitheater, basketball courts, ball fields and a park included in the overall design.

For now, "our goal is to build two buildings, the youth building and the administration building," said Clevenger.

At this point, it's uncertain what the building costs will be, he said, adding, "Fortunately we're going to probably be building at a time when construction costs are down."

If it's too costly to construct both buildings, the youth ministry will be constructed, he said.

"The youth building is designed to serve as a worship center also.  We could hold church services there. The youth building will fit about 350 people." It would have classrooms and be able to accommodate Sunday school classes, he said.

Clevenger said members of the congregation have made a commitment to donate $2.4 million over three years, and estimated the church has "a couple hundred members."

"The key right now is to try to keep our costs down," he said, noting that there are builders, engineers and other church members who are familiar with construction. "We've got a really good building committee."

When asked if a Christian school was also planned for the site, Clevenger replied that a group of church members had only begun to research "what it would take to have a private school and what interest" exists in the community for one.

Since the church will be located outside the boundaries of the Rancho Murieta Community Services District, it will not receive water or sewer service from the district.

Clevenger said there is a well with the capacity to meet the church's water needs, and a tank and pump will be added to satisfy fire requirements. A septic system will be installed for sewage.

Although the lack of a service provider for water and sewer makes things "a little complicated," there are some benefits, according to Clevenger. "You don't have pay those (hook-up) fees, which can be very high" or wait for the service purveyor's approval, he noted.

Clevenger is employed by a commercial construction firm that builds schools, shopping centers, offices and other large projects.

The Clevengers have lived here for 20 years. Until about 10 years ago, they attended a larger church outside the community because it offered more children's programs. Then, when the church in Rancho Murieta got a little larger, "we jumped in to help the church grow," Clevenger said. His wife, Lynn, managed the children's program, and he served on the board of the church for a few years.