Foundation for new church building almost complete

Soon, the new Christ Church of Longboat Key, Presbyterian site will be looking less like a construction site and more like a church.

Currently, contractors are laying the foundation for the building, but, in approximately one month, the process of erecting the building itself will begin.

“When we get the floor poured, that’s when the real church work will begin,” said church Building Committee member John Pol, who stayed in town for the summer to oversee the construction process.

Construction work has been under way for the past seven weeks and has gone relatively smoothly, according to Pol, except for a few rain delays.

Workers recently began tearing out a small portion in the northwestern corner of the property’s existing building where they will install a 40-foot tower.

“When you drive by on Gulf of Mexico Drive, you’ll be able to see the tower and say, ‘Ah, this is a church,’” Pol said.

The building will be repainted from its existing coral color to white-and- beige. Other rooms in the structure will be used for offices and a nursery.

The church received its $2.98 million building permit June 29.

The 17,400-square-foot sanctuary is being constructed on a 1.9-acre lot in the 6400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. The church paid $2.6 million for the property in March 2008. Construction is expected to last one year.

Christ Church was founded in 2005 and continues to hold services in its location in the Mediterranean Plaza at 595 Bay Isles Road.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].