BRIDGE CITY — Pastor David Green of St. Paul United Methodist Church of Bridge City said one of his goals in finishing the new church building on Roundbunch Rd. is to inspire the community.

“There’s still some people waiting for FEMA trailers or living in tents and this will serve as a sign of hope when they drive by,” Green said. “I’ve been through four hurricanes and a tropical depression since 2005. I’m praying we never have to suffer through that again. God is good and sustains us.”

Ferrel Ashby, a church member and committee member said they wanted to create a warm and welcoming church.

“How firm the foundation is going to be at St. Paul’s. Surely the presence of the Lord will be in this place. We’ve been strong through the process,” she said.

The original church building at Roundbunch and Texas Ave. was damaged by Hurricane Rita and the property eventually sold to Walgreen’s Pharmacy. The church’s temporary home is on FM 408. They’ve been in the planning stages for a year-and-a-half.

“We began in May and despite Ike, we’ve made a lot of progress,” Green said.

Some of the features of the 29,000 square-foot building that sits on 10 acres include a raised altar from the floor in the sanctuary, a large activities area with a stage, an outdoor patio, a big youth room with a stage, a children’s gatheing area with classrooms, a foyer to gather including a cry room, two fountains, a prayer garden and a bridal suite. The church may erect a storm berm for storm protection, and later, a family life center and chapel. The sanctuary seats 350.

The congregation of St. Paul’s hopes to be worshiping in the new facility by June 2009 or maybe sooner.

James Haggard, foreman of Daniels’ Construction who is building the structure the church is being built with hurricane-proof bolts and clips and solid plywood.

Tom Lancaster of The Woodlands is an architect who has previously built other churches, and now St. Paul’s.

“I’m here to put flesh on the vision the church has. I just realize what they really want. An architect is like a conductor of an orchestra, making arrangements. I give God the glory. The fact the weather has been good has helped a lot. It has been a blessing,” he said.