HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT The Rev. Julie Platson, left, and at center, the Right Rev. Dan Edwards, 10th Bishop of Nevada, consecrate the new St. Martin's Church on West Irene St. Sunday morning. Advertisement

Dotti Webb said it all when she stated, "It was fantastic. A lot of hard work, dedication went into making this very special day happen."

The Right Rev. Dan Edwards, 10th Episcopalian Bishop of Nevada, also enjoyed a real treat in that St. Martins in the Desert's new church was the first he had ever consecrated.

"It's very exciting," he said, "almost like a birth."

The Sunday service was filled with excitement, anticipation, and happiness.

St. Martin's priest, the Rev. Julie Platson, said, "It was a wonderful celebration. It was so exciting to have our church consecrated, and be a part of its growth. I'm grateful to everyone who was involved and volunteered their efforts to make this happen. It's a privilege just to be part of it."

The consecration began outside with Edwards' blessing the building and its entrance. This was followed by the blessing of the new church organ as well as the new alter.

There wasn't an empty chair in the house, and several were visitors like Darlene Enders, who came from Las Vegas and said "It was very nice, similar to a Catholic service. The people are really nice."

After the service, Bishop Edwards commented that "It's a beautiful place; holy designed for worship and to work for God. There are fine spiritual leaders whose prayers and service to community is a blessing to everyone in Pahrump. I'm confident that other Episcopal congregations will follow in St. Martin's foot steps.

"Jesus said in Matthew 9:37 that 'the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.' Everyone needs to serve God and the people need to look in their heart and in others to determine God's calling.

"Those young and older need to determine if God is calling them to the ministry: no one can do it for them. They need to think outside the box and see what is needed in the church and the community. Talk with bishops and others to find how to serve God." he added.

About his new position as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada, he said, "Right now I'm listening to all of the members of the diocese with concern to God's call. We need to renew emphasis on those baptized, provide more and better programs, and attract more lay ministers. It's great to hear St. Martin's congregation is participating in the new Millennium Development Goals such as the Equal Status of Women.

"St. Martin's is really blessed to have Julie as their leader."

The congregation's original church started in the garage of one of its leaders. The small church, now used as a parish hall, began in the home of Paul and Nancy Lunsford in 1989, with the existing church built in March 1995. However, it was always planned to have a larger building to help the congregation grow and share the spirit of religion.

Bob Greene, engineer, designer, coordinator, had a smile on his face. His initiative and ability to work with various government agencies as well as church leaders made sure the day of consecration occurred.

"It's wonderful," he said. "Everyone's handiwork -- 34 people put in 1,000 hours of sweat equity so everyone could come together for a rendezvous with God ... The value of those hours would be around $50,000-$75,000. People need to know we are growing and that we are not finished just yet."

Sylvia Lambert, a regular at St. Martin's summed up the morning. "It was a beautiful service," she said.