JEFF GARDENOUR/CFE
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lake Mary is raising money for its new sanctuary, set to be built on Rinehart Road.

“The Church on the Hill” is inspiring members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lake Mary to build up the body of Christ.

The catchy building-campaign slogan has helped the church raise close to $2 million toward the construction of a new sanctuary on the peaceful-looking property, located just minutes from Seminole Towne Center on Rinehart Road.

Laurie Mealor, capital campaign chairperson for St. Peter’s, said $1,803,698 has been pledged toward the new building as of March 20. The current figure represents a nice jump from February’s pledged total of $1,790,948.

Church leaders have set a fundraising goal of $2.5 million before ground is broken for the sanctuary, which will be built on the empty grass field in front of the church.

JEFF GARDENOUR/CFE
The empty grass field in front of the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lake Mary is where groundbreaking will take place for the new sanctuary.

“While we would love for all resources to be pledged already, we believe the campaign provides us many opportunities to reach out to and connect with all members of our congregation,” Mealor said. “New leadership has surfaced through the work of the campaign effort, and some of these team members have taken on new roles within other ministries.

“We are not just building a physical facility, but we are also building up the body of Christ here at St. Peter’s,” Mealor said. She added that pledges and contributions are coming in from the church’s congregation, and church leaders also have reached out to its school- and youth-outreach families for donations.

Mealor explained that the building project will be broken into two phases. The $2.5 million fundraising goal covers the current estimate for Phase 1, which includes the nave, sanctuary, and narthex, with all interior rooms and spaces as designated on the conceptual drawings.

JEFF GARDENOUR/CFE
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lake Mary is currently raising funds for its “Church on the Hill” campaign, whose funds are earmarked for building a new sanctuary.

“Phase 2 components will likely be funded as donors wish to target their gifts to these specific structures: sacristy, chapel, steeple and any other future additions,” Mealor said.

Completion of the building and opening for worship is tentatively set for one year after groundbreaking. According to Meal or, the new church will have a seating capacity of 411, more than 100 over the church’s average weekend attendance. St. Peter’s current membership is 742.

“Our initial buildings, including our current worship space, were designed and built 30 years ago in the mid-section of our campus,” Mealor said. “Space was reserved out front for the larger worship space, including the narthex, nave and sanctuary with eventual chapel and bell tower; these were envisioned at that time to be completed at a future date.

“We believe the Lord is now inviting us to accomplish the building of a prominent new worship home that is spacious enough to welcome new worshippers and members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church,” Mealor said. “The spread of the gospel to the surrounding community and beyond is our No. 1 goal.”