The Cathedral of Hope UCC in Dallas, Texas, received $3.1 million on July 29, during its "Miracle Sunday" offering that followed a year-long campaign to construct a "house of prayer for all people." The offering total was announced during church services on August 12.

The 4,300-member church plans to break ground on its new Interfaith Peace Chapel, designed by the late famed architect Philip Johnson, on Nov. 11. When completed, the $3.7-million, 4,000-square-foot chapel will seat 175.

Johnson designed Cathedral of Hope's master building plan, including the Interfaith Peace Chapel, before his death in 2005. Founder of the Department of Architecture and Design at New York's Museum of Modern Art, Johnson's much-celebrated buildings include the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif., PPG Place in Pittsburgh, and the AT&T Building (now Sony) in Manhattan.

"Members and friends of the Cathedral of Hope have prayed, saved, sacrificed and worked hard to make the Miracle Project a success," said the Rev. Jo Hudson, rector and senior pastor. "The real miracle, though, is this congregation's continued commitment to serve our community by giving away more than $1 million every year in goods and services while living into a God-given dream of creating a house of prayer and peace for all people, regardless of faith."

Contributions have come from three countries, 32 states and 98 Texas cities, according to a press release.

The Nov. 11 date for the groundbreaking was chosen to honor the 20th Anniversary of the Rev. Michael Piazza's installation as the church's senior pastor. Piazza, who now serves as dean of the Cathedral, as well as president of Hope for Peace & Justice, held the senior minister position for 17 years, before retiring in 2003.

Cathedral of Hope UCC is the "world's largest liberal Christian church with a primary outreach to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people."