A mountain of stone, steel and concrete is starting to take shape on the hill at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in West Lake Hills.

Construction began in September 2009 on the 37,155-square-foot multi-purpose building that will house the church’s new sanctuary. The project is expected to be completed in the early months of 2011.

So far, the walls have taken shape and the rock veneer on the outside of the building is 77 percent complete, said Virgil Flathouse, a parishioner of the church, who has chronicled the construction progress.

The new building will stand at 63 feet at its tallest point, a tower that will be completed in the next few weeks. Just below that is the grand dome over the sanctuary, which will get its roof next week.

The church celebrated its 25-year anniversary last year. Flathouse said the founding members and parishioners “have been attempting to build this almost as long.”

The building was made possible through the hard work of parishioners, who have been holding events, like the Cornerstone 5K and others, and raising money through donations for many years to pay for the project. Until now, parishioners had been meeting in the multi-purpose community center for services.

In addition to the new sanctuary, which will feature second floor balconies and a choir loft, the building will feature choir practice rooms, a narthex, or a gathering place that will overlook the creek with large picture windows and a chapel for small services like funerals and weddings.

As Flathouse moved about the construction site, he pointed out the energy efficient features of the building: a cistern that will collect rainwater for irrigation and insulation in the concrete walls.

“It’s really going to be beautiful when it’s finished,” he said.