OAK PARK : Hoisted Cross Crowns Parish’s Building Efforts

Mark Ellrott hoisted the cross onto his shoulder and trudged down the muddy path toward his destination.

He refused help with the four-foot high, 40-pound Christian symbol. His trek, he said, was not a burden.

Instead, it was a big day for Ellrott and the parishioners of the Church of the Epiphany in Oak Park. More than 10 years in the planning, the parish’s new church is nearly complete. Placing the black, metal cross designed in the Celtic style atop the church Tuesday was a significant step toward that end.

After a short prayer service attended by about dozen people, the cross on Ellrott’s shoulder was hoisted 60 feet above the front door put in place on the bell-less bell tower by Ellrott, the parishioner who managed the church project, and contractor Lee Woodward.

“This is one of those great days for a congregation,” said the Rev. Hank Mitchel. The parish pastor said the church was supposed to be completed by now, but the heavy rains earlier this year delayed construction significantly. And the parking lot still needs paving.

Mitchel said he hopes the church at Kanan Road and Churchwood Drive will open by July.

In the meantime, the flock of about 100 families will continue to worship in the North Ranch Community Center as they have since the church was formed about 13 years ago. As thunder rumbled nearby and storm clouds could be seen in the distance, Mitchel and the faithful sang “Lift High the Cross” under sunny but windy skies.

“I think it’s exciting,” said Georgette Pagano, who has attended Church of the Epiphany the past 10 years. “It’s like a regular church, which you don’t see in California anymore.”