By RYAN CHRISTNER

rchristner@dailynews.net

NORTON -- As members of the congregation of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Norton gathered recently for the groundbreaking of the site where their new facility is to be constructed, it seemed as if God himself was giving a thumbs-up to the project.

Cloudless blue skies, vibrantly green grass and summer-like temperatures greeted attendants on the plot of land 1 mile west of town on U.S. Highway 36 that eventually would become home to their new place of worship.

With seats lined up inside the future sanctuary of the facility, it was difficult to picture what the finished product might look like. An artist's rendering placed near the western end of the site, however, solved that problem.

"I think Roger has his truck parked on the alter," Pastor Rick Rostek said in reference to a vehicle directly behind the artwork. "Later, we're going to sacrifice it."

The jovial mood of Rostek and his parishioners likely was due in part to the event's culmination of about 15 years of planning.

"They're ready," Rostek said. "They're itching to get going."

Immanuel Lutheran's current home, 814 N. Second, has served the church for nearly 60 years and is showing noticeable signs of deterioration.

Compounding the problem, space considerations and a lack of handicap accessibility were contributing factors to the decision to move.

A new 9,000 square-foot facility seems to be just what the doctor ordered.

"There will be a lot of amenities that the current facility doesn't offer," said Steve Herrs, chairman of the congregation.

Construction of the new church, which will offer a larger worship space, offices, a conference room and "nice, bright, new classrooms," should begin next month, Rostek said, and will last about six months, putting an approximate date of completion somewhere near the beginning of next year.

The April 26 groundbreaking comes 101 years after the formation of Immanuel Lutheran in 1908, when seven families from Nebraska moved to the area and began worshipping in a building 9 miles west of the church's future home.

The current church facility, which was dedicated in 1950, is the spiritual center for about 130 residents of the city of Norton and Norton County.

After purchasing the 4.5 acre property in February 2005, the church has been raising funds to accommodate the project's estimated $1 million price tag.

Despite a floundering economy, church leaders said the response so far has been incredible.

"It's been beyond our wildest dreams," Herrs said.

With 18 months to go on a three-year fulfillment plan, half of the cost already has been raised.

"We're right on track," Rostek said.

The new facility will give the church a chance to start anew and hopefully attract a few new members into the fold.

"We don't think the future looks bleak at all," Herrs said. "We think the future looks bright."