NORTON

Bishop George Coleman will speak and shovel Sunday during the groundbreaking for a new $3.7 million St. Mary's Church.

More than 200 people are expected for the 1 p.m. service on Route 123, in the parish hall parking lot next to the town cemetery, said the Rev. Marc Tremblay, St. Mary's pastor.

The South Worcester Street congregation's rite of passage is coming to fruition more than a decade after blueprints were drawn up, Tremblay said.

"There have been so many false starts," he said. "We're actually going to put a shovel into the ground this time." St. Mary's officials launched the $3.7 million "Building on Our Faith" capital campaign this spring toward opening a new 8,000-square-foot church in late 2009 or early 2010.

The project includes a handicapped-accessible church with seating for upwards of 600 people, more than double the current capacity.

The new church also will have up to 200 parking spaces, and will house the parish's administrative offices, a choir/music area with seats for more than 40 people and a lobby for socializing before and after Masses.

The church will be connected to the existing parish hall - nearly a mile down the street from the current church and the rectory.

Church officials say the two-campus set-up and the existing 1925 church have discouraged participation in the congregation of more than 1,800 families.

The current church lacks restrooms, for example.

The church offices moved to the parish hall last month.

Church officials have raised $765,000 toward the new church, Tremblay said.

They hope Sunday's service inspires more donations toward the fundraising goal of at least $1 million.

"As we see this thing progressing, people may be more willing," Tremblay said. Coleman will conduct the blessing during the religious service, which coincides with the parish picnic.

The bishop also will bless a shiny silver steel steeple that once sat atop the former St. William's Church in Fall River. St. Williams closed several years ago during church consolidation by the Diocese. The steeple, which was delivered on Wednesday, will top off the new St. Mary's Church.

"It's a wonderful thing," Tremblay said. "That tower would cost a fortune to replicate."

Church officials and town and local dignitaries also are expected for the 30-minute service.

Participating in the ground breaking will be Coleman, Tremblay and church officials.

Church officials are getting construction bids for the new church, Tremblay said.

Site work could start this fall.

The 1961 heating system for the parish center will be replaced first.

"We can't even control it. Sometimes, it's 80 degrees in the summer," Tremblay said.

MICHAEL GELBWASSER covers Norton for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at 508-236-0439 or at mgelbwasser@thesunchronicle.com.