"I don't think there is a church of that size in the area," says Pastor Richard D. Henton, who has led his South Side congregation for 41 years. "It's not just a church," he adds, noting the addition will allow the church to host plays and other events.

While creating a 5,000-seat church with theater-type seating, the addition will be connected to the existing structure, and increase parking from 421 spaces to 718 spaces. The plans, which have been in the works for more than a year, have been endorsed by the plan commission as well as the city council's committee on zoning. "It's a compliment to the whole congregation of what they've been able to do," says 18th Ward Alderman Thomas W. Murphy.

Located on a 13.4-acre site bounded by industrial properties and a rail yard, the church hardly is stretching density requirements. After the expansion, the new building would be one-sixth the maximum allowed on the site, according to the department of planning and development.